Abaete (pronounced ah-BYE-ah-tay) is the family name of designer/founder Laura Poretzky, and translates roughly to person of virtue. The logo is the original Portuguese family crest, dating back to the 1700's, which means every garment is a labor of love and family pride. Abaete is renowned for the highest quality fit, fabric, and craftsmanship, which Laura herself oversees at our local production facility. Laura Poretzky was born in France to a Russian father and a Danish-Brazilian mother, and raised between Paris, Rio de Janeiro and New York. With a lifelong interest in the arts, she was accepted into the top-ranked Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to study photography, but switched to fashion design when she found herself spending more time with the fabrics she was shooting than in the darkroom. Upon graduation, Laura was hired to a coveted position at Ralph Lauren, where she further refined her design sensibilities.

Having spent much of her life on the beaches of Brazil, sketching local styles, Laura left Ralph Lauren to create her own line of sexy, wearable Brazilian inspired swimwear and resort wear called James. Within months, James won widespread recognition. From Hollywood to the Hamptons, James suits were in top fashion magazines, and on celebrities and fashionistas everywhere. Laura has now extended her range to create a complete line of ready-to-wear drawing as much on her experience as a New Yorker as on her Latina and Eurasian roots. Her sophisticated, feminine designs have captured the imagination of stylists and editors alike, while her years of experience with fabric and construction ensure a perfect fit, every time.