This Black-Owned Slow Fashion Activewear Brand Is Finally Elevating Sustainability With Style & Sizing That Goes To 5XL
Vertical Activewear is a slow-fashion activewear brand made on-demand from recycled and plant-based materials in the USA. Inclusively made for all sizes ranging from XS-5XL, each piece is consciously manufactured and mindfully shipped using only recycled packaging materials.
Check out this interview with founder Tia Robinson:
When and why did you start Vertical Activewear?
Image courtesy of Vertical Activewear
I started Vertical Activewear in 2017 as a small batch activewear line for women who participate in a variety forms of fitness. As I got deeper into my journey into spirituality (I’m a certified meditation coach), healing, and well-being, I started to learn more about how the fashion industry and its overproduction of clothes (i.e. fast fashion) was a major global polluter and wanted to do something about it. We changed our activewear line to align with not only doing good…but doing as much good as we could and launched our brand to be a sustainable, slow-fashion label at the end of 2020.
How do you define sustainability?
Sustainability for me is defined as maintaining balance. Being able to grow and expand in a way that is without depletion or devastation. Instead, when you take something – you also have a means to replenish it. As the elders would say - pick a fruit – plant a seed.
Share in detail how your brand is sustainable/responsible/ethical? (Materials? Production? Shipping? etc.)
We take an eco-conscious approach to manufacturing by utilizing an “on-demand” production cycle to prevent the creation of unsold clothes that often ends up in landfills. When a customer places their order online, they can expect to get their activewear in 10-14 business days. This is our response to fast-fashion. Our line is also made out of eco-conscious materials like recycled water bottles and each garment is shipped using recycled packaging, labels and hangtags.
Your activewear goes all the way to 5XL - why is size inclusivity important in the sustainability space?
Fashion industry has been telling us for years that sustainability, style and inclusivity can’t coexist! You might get one or two…but all three?! Nah! We wanted to prove them wrong. Women of all shapes and sizes should have the ability to have apparel that aligns with who they are and how they want to show up in the world. We wanted ALL women to be represented in our line, so we made it happen.
Image courtesy of Vertical Activewear
What is your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration is my family and making this world a better place for generations to come.
Image courtesy of Vertical Activewear
What are you hoping to manifest this year?
I am hoping to manifest growth this year. Not only personal growth, but growth for Vertical. I want to be able to reach as many people as possible, helping to spread the word about overproduction and its effects on our society and ecosystem globally.