AS demonstrated by the new aerobics comedy “Physical” starring Rose Byrne, our love of all things gym-related shows no signs of abating. Now two of the most cutting-edge fashion brands are releasing clothes to squat, jump and sweat into. Telfar, the black-owned fashion brand beloved by Oprah Winfrey and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, known for its vegan leather, gender-neutral handbag and luxury durags, has announced a sportswear line set to launch in September. And Pangaia, the label at the forefront of sustainable fashion, which can count Pharrell Williams among its fans, has announced a 31-piece gym line. “So far this year, sales for athleisure have outperformed fashion sales,” said Matt Powell, a senior sports adviser at retail market researcher the NPD Group. Despite it being a trend before the pandemic, in 2020 the activewear market accounted for 40 percent of all online sales. “This isn’t a flash-in-the-pan trend, it’s a lifestyle shift,” said Edited’s retail analyst Aoife Byrne. Indeed, the pandemic accelerated a more “hybrid” style of living. Work, home and pursuits such as exercise dovetailed together and dissolved the boundaries that had previously separated them. Gym gear has become everyday wear, as people wear leggings as they would have worn jeans.(SD-Agencies) | 