Rather than opening a boutique in Portofino or Capri, designer Massimo Alba chose the Italian seaside town of Sestri Levante for its off-the-beaten-track atmosphere. “Like the shops I have in Milan and Rome, where I picked streets that are more about the residents, I wanted a location that feels genuine, not a place on a tourist itinerary,” says Alba. The men’s and women’s offerings are geared towards summery outfits, with polo shirts, Bermuda shorts and leather boat shoes. The relaxed decor is a mix of knick-knacks from Alba’s own home paired with vintage Franco Albini armchairs and a healthy selection of plants.
massimoalba.com

Recently launched Marané was born out of Alessandro Aquilina’s desire to find tailored swimshorts that complement his stockier build. Designed by Aquilina and Christina Serhal at their ranch near Punta del Este in Uruguay, the trunks are made in Portugal and feature bonded seams that ensure they don’t bunch up around the thigh. Thoughtful details such as “X” stitching on the pockets round off the elegant design.
marane.uy

Japanese retail giant Beams has celebrated its 40th anniversary by calling on top Tokyo firms, including Torafu Architects and Jamo Associates, to overhaul its six-storey shop in Shinjuku. Each floor has a different focus: the second features domestic brands such as Loopwheeler and limited-edition pieces from Beams Japan; the third has pieces from Beams’ collaborations with the likes of Porter. Once you’ve had your sartorial fill you can head to the upper floors, where the shelves are lined with photobooks and Japanese ceramics.
beams.co.jp/beamsjapan

“I have a passion for vintage glasses but I wanted to make my own versions that combined minimal Danish design with a vintage look,” says former graphic designer Brian Knakkegaard Pedersen. Three years in and his Copenhagen-based label boasts a compact collection of handsome shades. Look out for this Eckersberg model, a modern take on the pilot frame with a keyhole-shaped bridge.
folkandframe.com

Yasmine Eslami has leapt into the menswear world with a capsule collection of three classic shirts woven from Italian poplin.
yasmine-eslami.com

Montpellier-based wetsuit brand Saint Jacques’ debut range of neoprene pieces is inspired by streetwear staples.
saintjacques-wetsuits.com