![\"NM](\"https:\/\/flexhk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/NM-Chaise2-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
LA athleisure brand Garbe Luxe has hit Flex Studio shelves and the beautifully structured, clean-lined pieces with high fashion aesthetics are the perfect mix of sporty and stylish. Famous for the Moto Leggings, ballet style sports bra and Bomber Jacket, Hongkongers are going to be treating the studio like a catwalk. We talked to Natalia MacLeod, Garbe Luxe\u2019s founder, designer about her influences, her favorite pieces and Asia.<\/strong><\/p>\n When did you start Garbe Luxe?<\/strong> What motivated the first piece?<\/strong> At the time there were only a couple brands like Stella McCartney for Adidas doing fashionable workout clothes. I wanted something that fused both fashion and athletic wear, what is now coined as ‘athleisure’ because like so many women I found myself spending the day in my workout clothes,. If my jacket or t-shirt was a little refined and fashionable I was a little more inclined to doing errands in the city without feeling really under dressed.<\/p>\n I set out to design 10 pieces, which ended up being 30. I couldn\u2019t stop I was so excited. I sought out the biggest manufacturer of technical fabric and designed the Moto Legging. It was in\u00a0early 2010 and the concept of a black legging that had some detail and style and that could be worn with a cashmere sweater, a pair of boots if you were traveling or to workout in. I remember my pattern maker questioning my design with welt pockets, knee patch and stitching on the thigh.<\/p>\n The Moto Legging is still one of the star pieces still in my collection. I also created a military jacket and designed a striped tee of thin cotton that breathes so I could wear the seamless bra top I tested it skiing, running and of course for yoga, and it stays put and is extremely comfortable, you forget you\u2019re wearing a sports bra.<\/p>\n What does your line look like?<\/strong> How does the next design occur to you?<\/strong> I design a new collection every season, I\u2019m always inspired by fabric and my ideas are born from seeing the fabric drape, the texture and it\u2019s potential is exciting to me. I usually have to reel back, I can\u2019t design all the pieces I want or I\u2019d have four different lines!<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been influenced by so many designers, like Jill Sander the beautiful drapes and clean lines. Balenciaga has always been a brand that I\u2019ve loved. And I\u2019ve been a fan of Calvin Klein from when I was little, stealing clothes from my fashionable father. He had better clothes than my mother! I like anything with structure and detail. But I don\u2019t like anything too fussy. Whether it\u2019s a t-shirt or a ball gown, it\u2019s has to look effortless.<\/p>\n How has the athletic gear world changed over the last few years?<\/strong> In the past if women worked out they didn\u2019t talk about it. Now it\u2019s a given that it\u2019s something you do, it\u2019s a different world. Women used to spend all their money on clothes, now they spend more on their active wear than contemporary fashion.<\/p>\n How important is it to you that fashion mixes with function?<\/strong> Are the fabrics key?<\/strong>
\nIn 2010, but it took me an entire year to roll out because I did so much R&D. I love design, I had designed furniture for my home and sewed clothes throughout my youth and I\u2019ve always loved fashion. I have two older sisters who subscribed to Vogue Magazine and I would read it like a novel when I was 11 years old! I often made my own clothes. Fashion is in my cells.<\/p>\n
\nI was in yoga class one day, and I looked around and saw a sea of women in black Lululemon. Every woman was wearing the same thing, the aesthetic didn\u2019t resonate with my style. I wanted something that was reflective with fashion at the moment and was technically functional to workout in.<\/p>\n
\nMy colour palate is changes somewhat from season to season but I don\u2019t stray far from neutrals navy, black, white, grey. I like a bit of pink, and I\u2019ll throw in a popper colour.<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019m very mindful of the pieces I want. Every piece is something I needed or wasn\u2019t finding \u2013 something you always hear in fashion. It is still how I design. I never stray far from what I would like in my own closet.<\/p>\n
\nI think it\u2019s to my benefit that now we have a different aesthetic, we wear clothes out that were never shown before. It used to be that one would workout and take off your gear and put it in your bag. Now wearing your workout gear is like a badge of honour. It\u2019s worn throughout your daily life, on planes etc.<\/p>\n
\nWhen I go for a workout I want something that looks different, I think every woman wants to feel unique. I design all my pieces to mix with my regular wardrobe, which was the concept when the line was born; a fusion of the two.<\/p>\n
\nThe fabrics used to be heavier and designed to hold you in., but they were very hot. It took a long time to evolve from that. Not unlike fashion, the boundaries are being pushed with technical fabrications. I found thin, recycled polyester made from plastic bottles, this is more common now but at the time there was hesitation that the fabric wouldn\u2019t be flattering. The fabric caught on a few seasons ago \u2013 they are extremely flattering, have a sheen that makes the legs look toned and they are not hot, not to mention they dry in a minute after leaving a hot workout class.<\/p>\n