Malaysian Childhood Friends Sell Quality & Eco-Friendly Activewear With Inclusive Sizes
They have sizes up to XXL.
By Tamara Jayne — 20 Feb 2023, 05:01 PM
It's not the easiest to find local activewear that are comfortable, of high quality, and are size inclusive.
But Nadira and Hui Yi have achieved exactly that.
The two childhood friends came up with a brand that makes eco-friendly women sportswear with sizes XS right up until XXL, with the latter fitting women who wear US size 22.
Having met as kids when they were part of the Selangor state swimming team, the duo formed a close bond throughout the years, which eventually led them to launch Āina Collective together.
Specialising in sustainable activewear, Āina Collective currently sells bottoms, sports bras, and tops that are sturdy, comfortable, and durable
Their sports bras and tops come with either light, medium, or high support, which are great for different activities and all body types.
Their future plan is to produce socks and shirts, as well as activewear for men, as they shared that many of their customers have been requesting for it.
As a full-time personal trainer and fitness instructor, Nadira explained that she's usually dressed in sports attire or 'athleisure'. During her university years in Copenhagen and Bristol in 2016, she became more conscious of the environment and decided to swap to a plant-based diet.
"Fast forward to 2020, having conversations with Hui Yi over lunch, I complained a lot about not having any activewear to buy here in Malaysia, or in Asia for that matter, that was kinder to the planet. I used to spend hundreds of ringgit on shipping to get conscious brands abroad to Malaysia. So we figured, why not make our own?" she told SAYS.
The brand's heart is to be sustainable first and foremost, from the clothing tags that can grow into plants to the recycled materials used to sew the garments
The fabrics are made of 77% recycled nylon and 23% elastane, sourced from post-consumer waste, such as plastic bottles and ghost nets.
With a similar passion for sustainability and being active, Hui Yi shared that they strive to not "just be an activewear brand", but to get people together with the same values for the environment, health and wellness, and fair working conditions.
They do this by ensuring that their manufacturers in Indonesia are paid above minimum wage, with air-conditioned facilities, and provided with employee benefits, such as medical insurance for their spouse and children.
Their bestsellers are The Zip-up Top and The Bandeau Bra, however, many of their customers also request for their pocketed leggings that were only recently launched
They are an online shop, although you can purchase some of the items at Clubaloha in Plaza Damas, and occasionally at bazaars and pop-ups.
"The limit really does not exist for Āina Collective. We will go into any possible product line there is, IF it doesn't compromise our ethos and values all while giving back to the community," Hui Yi added.
As they continue to grow and evolve, they hope to include more sizes in the future.
