Patricia Bonaldi, PatBO's Founder and Creative Director began designing and making clothes as a child. While growing up in Uberlândia, Brazil, buying new clothing was not accessible to Bonaldi and her family, so her mother taught her to sew and soon she was making her own dresses. Bonaldi fell in love with the process of creating and felt pride in bringing beauty and craftsmanship to a family necessity. After a few detours, including a period of studying law, Bonaldi created her eponymous label of couture, evening wear in São Paulo, Brazil. Tapping into her passion and talent since childhood, Bonaldi first established herself as a designer by creating one-of-a-kind gowns for clients and sewing everything by hand. In 2002 Bonaldi founded PatBO, bringing her penchant and skill for fit, craftsmanship and print to ready-to-wear and swimwear. Bonaldi also established a school in her hometown, along with PatBO's atelier, where local women are taught craftsmanship skills that enable them fulfilling work as artisans.