LIFE after the pandemic has definitely seen industries pivot from the usual status quo. Understandably, a whole new revolution has invaded even sportswear as people emerge from the long lockdown.
With new-found freedom to move about once again in the endemic stage, there has been a noticeable resurgence in new expressions of old brands and the emergence of new brands operating out of the usual mould as wellness takes on new meaning in the endemic era.
Here are three fitness sportswear (and sneakers) trends that caught our eyes.
Fitness revolution heralded by MOROTAI activewear
Renowned German sportswear brand MOROTAI witnessed its first launch in Malaysia in line with the spirit of “Let’s Rise Malaysia”.
Stirring “the warrior within” to arise to embrace a new culture of wellness and high-tech sportswear that is at once lightweight and fashionable, it is positioned as a solution to the heavy demand for versatile sportswear in the Asian market.
MOROTAI is setting the tone in the activewear space by combining the demands of sport and fashion into functional apparel, be it in the gym or everyday life.
MOROTAI was first designed by one athlete for others, channeling the slogan “Better Together” in which both men and women can be perfectly equipped regardless of their preferred form of training.
“As a sports brand that combines style and quality with maximum functionality, MOROTAI aims to simplify the lives of athletes innovatively with intelligent technologies,” said MOROTAI Asia chief executive officer Idris Khan who is also a regional partner and ambassador for the brand.
The brand’s product portfolio offers a range of collections suited for the diversity of everyday life including innovative and high-performance functional sportswear from the Engineered Line; pleasantly soft, light and comfortable travel clothes in the Sakura Travel Line; sporty, elegant and perfectly fitted swimwear from the Lake Constance line; and the MOROTAI Youth line to appeal to the younger demographic.
Besides these collections, MOROTAI is also coming up with their newest modest sportswear collection for the modest market in Asia.
Having launched nine collections since it was founded in 2016, MOROTAI magnifies the importance of functionality and style through its designs.
Coming in staple colours of black, grey and white, these timeless pieces are made of 4-way-stretch premium fabric that is soft on the skin and flexible for all movements, which makes it durable and last longer.
MOROTAI’s combination of sports and design represents a good mixture of functionality as well as look and feel, with passionate founders who live and breathe the goals of the brand.
“When we decided to bring MOROTAI into Asia, Zalora, being a top online fashion retailer, allowed us to expand into the market aggressively and seamlessly,” Khan said.
“We are currently available in Malaysia and Singapore, with The Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Taiwan markets coming up soon. MOROTAI is also moving into the Middle East, starting with Dubai in October 2022.”
In essence, the goal of the brand is to redefine sportswear – not only on a functional level but also on an aesthetic one – as the brand MOROTAI is defined as being much more than a brand as it represents a lifestyle.
New collections and designers in the limelight
A noticeable trend is the fashion runways holding their shows in full force with new young designers showcasing their design collections in the endemic stage, now that physical events can resume again.
Malaysian Bumiputra Designer Association (MBDA) founder Bon Zainal Harun, who was present at the GHADEEZ KL, My GAYA Month 2022 – launched by designer twin sisters Aina Sophia and Aini Sophie – recently expressed his delight in seeing more new young designers entering the scene with “more practical designs which are viable and ready-to-wear as fashion is for everybody”.
“We have been through the pandemic, having been in lockdown for two years and everybody is feeling the pinch. However now, things are opening up again. However, we have to be careful and thrifty in living our lives. Even now, our mentality now is different – the way we shop, think and the way we do things are all different, with the economy being down,” he opined.
“The whole world is facing inflation yet we have to be careful as COVID-19 is still around but the best part is that a lot of new openings are coming in.”
Having said that though, he agreed that fashion runways are picking up again, with people starting to go out after two years of lockdown and them wanting to change their wardrobes.
Bata Malaysia launches sneaker fest
Bata Malaysia is back with a vengeance after the pandemic with its latest authentic, stylish and experiential experience.
The brand recently kicked off its very own Bata Sneaker Fest 2022 through the introduction of its new collection of 200 styles for endless occasions at SneakerLah 2022.
Launched with the theme “Think Sneakers, Think Bata”, the new line aims to bring comfort to Bata’s new line of innovations while introducing comfortable new casual styles that cater to everyday lifestyle needs through their most sought-after collections from brands like North Star, Power and Red Label, among others.
Essentially, Bata wants to deliver an array of styles that are uniquely fun and visually appealing while creating a positive change in the environment and community.
At the same time, Bata is providing these 200 sneaker styles for various occasions without having to burn a hole in one’s pockets.
“We are ecstatic to finally bring Sneaker Fest 22 to Malaysia with a focus on catering to our urban youth in Malaysia. We took the direction of launching Sneaker Fest 22 at the SneakerLah 2022 to showcase our never-ending drive and investment in sneakers from the innovation, technology, and fashion aspects,” said Bata Malaysia country manager Vaibhav Manrao.
According to him, Bata design labs in Canada, Italy, and Singapore will continue to bring the best varieties for unlimited occasions with this collection.
This collection of 200 styles will cater to Malaysia’s ever-changing lifestyle needs without having to fork out a lot in order to achieve a look that is desired.
Bata, Manrao added, has always been at the forefront of championing sustainable fashion as seen in its Power Ocean Love series where sustainable and recyclable products and materials such as plastic waste are used to design and complement the built, especially the in-soles of the sneakers. – Oct 21, 2022
Yvonne Yoong is Focus Malaysia’s contributing Editor, seasoned in covering the property beat & other industries.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
