French-Swedish menswear label Ron Dorff, renowned for its Scandinavian simplicity and athletic elegance, has veered into bold new territory with the launch of its latest project: the Wanted Capsule Collection. This 30-piece swim and sportswear lineup, born from a creative partnership with American photographer Douglas Friedman, draws inspiration from the rugged, sun-scorched terrain of Far West Texas—a surprising muse for poolside fashion.
Founder Claus Lindorff described the collaboration as a deliberate contrast. While Ron Dorff’s signature aesthetic has long embraced Nordic minimalism, this new collection blends that clean design sensibility with a distinctly American flavor. According to Lindorff, the concept began as a playful contradiction.
“It could be so fun for a swim or beachwear collection to take your inspiration from a place that has never seen a pool or the ocean, let alone a drop of water for the last 50 years—and bring it onto something you can wear in Sardinia, in Mykonos, or in Majorca next summer,” he told L’OFFICIEL.
Friedman wasn’t just involved creatively—he also became the face of the collection’s campaign, modeling the very pieces he helped inspire. The unexpected fusion of desert grit with beach-ready fashion became the defining characteristic of the collection. As Lindorff noted, “The challenge is always, when the two things come together, does it become a mishmash—or does it work?”
It works—and brilliantly so.
The Wanted Capsule Collection features cheeky, graphic prints with names like “Wanted” and “Cow Boy”—the latter intentionally spaced to reflect Ron Dorff’s signature wit. The brand’s love of clever language has long been a part of its DNA, seen in past designs such as “Marathon Man,” “Working Man,” “Pool Boy,” and “City Boy.” “Cow Boy just made all the sense in the world,” Lindorff explained—and it’s already the collection’s best-seller.
Friedman, who resides on a remote high-desert ranch in Far West Texas, brought a deeply personal perspective to the project. “The collection takes its inspiration from my home,” he shared. “An unforgiving and beautiful landscape where the hot, slow, summer days stretch on endlessly with the most incredible color schemes. The collection is an invitation to suit up, grab your hat, and embrace the rugged beauty of the Wild West.”
The pieces themselves reflect that duality—clean, minimal silhouettes infused with the earthy hues and Americana grit of the Texas desert. Traditional red, white, and blue tones sit alongside sunbaked neutrals, creating a palette that speaks to both coastal leisure and cowboy edge.
For Lindorff, the collection isn’t just a stylistic pivot—it represents a creative gamble that proved worth taking. “We would never have done this without Douglas,” he said. “It’s really two universes coming together around a concept that is—maybe not provocative—but definitely pushy. A far fetch for the brand. And that’s what makes it exciting.”
In blending desert nostalgia with seaside functionality, Ron Dorff’s Wanted Capsule Collection redefines what swimwear can be. It’s a confident stride into uncharted territory—and one that has already begun making waves.
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