A Brazil with a Resort Soul
For Juliana Lopes @j.u.lopes
After so many years living in the United States, designer Sinesia Karol says she feels more American than Brazilian… but how could one deny the Brazilian essence infused in every collection of her swimwear brand, SK?
Born in Espírito Santo, Brazil, and married to an American, Sinesia Karol has built a brand that now graces the racks of top U.S. luxury retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. In Brazil, SK has two boutiques strategically located in glamorous coastal destinations: Trancoso and Angra dos Reis. And yes, despite exporting to the four corners of the world, SK is proudly Made in Brazil.
We spoke with Sinesia before and after her runway show in São Paulo, held during Fashion Meeting at JK Iguatemi Mall in April.
How was your experience showcasing in São Paulo?
Wow, it was incredible! The experience at Fashion Meeting was fantastic. We invited some of our clients to a private dinner after the show as a gesture of loyalty and to thank them for these 14 years. It was a lovely evening at Beef Bar, in São Paulo — and many clients placed orders right there at the event.


Tell us about this collection and its highlights.
We experimented with different techniques for this collection. One of them was an embroidery method using matelassé, which means “quilted” in French. You could see in the show that the orchid details had a padded texture, adding exclusivity to the design. We also worked with bold topstitching, especially on black and off-white pieces. These contours gave the collection a beautiful and unique result.


Where does the brand usually showcase its collections?
We’ve been presenting at Miami Swim Week for 13 years now, and this was our first time presenting in Brazil.
Can you share a bit about the brand’s journey?
We conceptualized the brand in 2010 and officially launched it in 2012 in New York’s Meatpacking District. Our first retailer was Bergdorf Goodman, followed by Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and several specialty boutiques in the U.S. We also sold through the Four Seasons Hotel in Hawaii. Today, we export to many countries, including Egypt, the south of France, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Japan, and Greece.


How many stores and retail points does SK have today?
Currently, the brand has three stores — two in Brazil and one in the United States. Our focus is resortwear, so we didn’t initially plan for locations in big cities. But since we have many loyal clients from São Paulo, we are considering opening a store there soon.
Which international trade shows does SK participate in?
Since the beginning, we’ve participated in international trade shows. We show at Splash and Tranoï in Paris, and Cabana Swimwear in Miami.
Do you plan to expand internationally?
We always dream of growing more and more, but in many ways, the brand is already international. I’ve been living in the U.S. for 32 years, so at times, I actually feel more American than Brazilian.


What sustainable practices does SK adopt?
We’ve always been committed to sustainability. Since the beginning, we’ve repurposed leftover lycra to create accessories instead of using metal. We’re also very intentional about working with high-quality materials, which is why our clients are so loyal. Many of them don’t just buy one or two bikinis — they buy the entire collection. That’s been the case for over 12 years now. For us, preserving quality is essential.


Which SK products are bestsellers?
Our kaftans, pajamas, and high-waisted bikinis are among our top sellers. They’re always well received. We aim to keep the style relaxed, chic, and modern, while always thinking outside the box. For us, quality is everything.