Asics links with Pyrates on sustainable yoga capsule

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Feb 25, 2020

Asics has linked up with textile development company and performance streetwear brand Pyrates Smart Fabrics to launch “an ecologically sustainable” seven-piece yoga capsule collection that will launch on International Women’s Day, March 8.

“Made for women by women,” the collection “will offer fitness lovers the ability to reduce their carbon footprint, whilst adding luxury style and comfort to their fitness apparel wardrobe”. 

Pyrates is a six-year-old company that is focused on “providing solutions to protect the body and the environment by creating sustainable and skin-friendly athleisure”. The products are “designed and crafted” by Spanish entrepreneur Regina Polanco, using the brand’s own Pyratex knit fabrics.  

The Asics collab makes the most of Pyrates’ overall approach to materials. It also uses natural fibres “designed for optimum movement and comfort”, as well as natural bio-degradable dyes derived from plants and minerals. 

Colours have been sourced from Indian madder root, Mediterranean oak gall and pomegranate. The sports giant said the dye process is non-toxic and uses a reduced amount of water. The colours are purified, dried and “always sourced from non-endangered and replenishable ingredients ensuring that the brand continues to remain ethical at every step of the process”. 

The packaging for this collection is also made from natural and reusable fabrics. 

It’s an interesting development too because of the connection that Asics and Pyrates have had in recent years. After supporting the start-up through the Asics Tenkan-Ten initiative (a global acceleration programme for sports and well-being start-ups), Asics said it “naturally formed a collaborative partnership with Pyrates due to their innovative approach to fabrics and commitment to supporting women by providing ethically-produced, sustainable fitness apparel”.

More and more large companies, including H&M globally and John Lewis in the UK, are linking up with small, nimble, innovative newcomers as they work to future-proof their operations and unlock innovative ideas that can potentially transform their product offer.