Meet Ché Studios, the Sustainable Brand Behind Patrick Schwarzenegger’s ’70s-inspired Swim Trunks on ‘The White Lotus’ Season Three
From his arrogant attitude to his preppy clothing, Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Saxon Ratliff on season three of “The White Lotus” is emblematic of the typical finance bro. A particular pair of his swim trunks, however, are the peak of chic.
Sales for the ivory and green suit — designed by the sustainable label Ché Studios — are up 400 percent year-over-year, according to the brand’s founder, model Oliver Cheshire. The striped Baller shorts, priced at $175, are crafted from recycled nylon and come in three different colorways.
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“The sales and social reaction since the [season premiere] aired have been amazing,” Cheshire told WWD via email. “The Baller has been our bestselling swim short and brand signature since we launched in 2019. They’re perfect for a confident guy like Saxon who wants to look and feel his best, a guy who loves luxury well-made garments that make a strong statement.”
Cheshire, who has modeled for Calvin Klein, Versace and Brunello Cucinelli, said few details were provided ahead of the Ché Studios placement. Costume designer Alex Bovaird reached out about “a main character” wearing the label on season three, though she didn’t share who.
“We then curated a selection from our seasonal and core look books, but it had to be very secretive,” Cheshire shared.
With more than 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, Cheshire always had a keen interest in design. After launching Ché Studios with a small resort line, the company has since expanded into knitwear, accessories and bodywear.
His goal in founding the affordable luxury brand was to create sporty, retro-inspired pieces using modern fabrics and techniques. This philosophy extends to the viral Baller trunks, which were based on a 1970s photograph of basketball legend Larry Bird.
“The Baller short was born from a desire to break away from the conventional drawstring and tailored swim options prevalent in the market,” Cheshire explained. “We worked on the Baller short for over a year, perfecting the fit and construction, so it’s a testament to the brand vision. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the custom-made Italian components to technical features that enhance performance.”
One key innovation, Cheshire said, is a strategically placed silicon grip inside of the waistband, which ensures a secure and comfortable fit both in and out of the water. The model and entrepreneur recommends styling the Baller short with Ché Studios’ Valbonne camp shirt — made from eco-friendly Viscose.
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