23 Aug

Progress Over Perfection: Can The Activewear Industry Ever Be Sustainable?

We speak to Stephanie Tham, founder of activewear start up Lunae Active to hear the inside scoop…

In an era where conscious choices drive change, the meaning of a "conscious" brand has transcended mere words to become a tangible commitment to a better future. At the forefront of this movement stands activewear brand Lunae Active,who have redefined what sustainability means for performance brands, blending more sustainable principles with fashion-forward designs. With a vision that extends far beyond aesthetics, Lunae Active's journey is one of purpose, passion, transparency and giving back to the planet…

Hi Stephanie, so what does it mean to be a “conscious” brand nowadays?

A “conscious” brand can mean many things. As a sustainable activewear brand we are most conscious about waste and the damage we cause to the environment, which is why we ensure all our products are sustainable, from our fabric selection, canvas bags, hang tags, collateral sleeves, to our mailing envelopes and boxes. Every detail of our products that we deliver were thoughtfully sourced to ensure that we live by our values strictly. We are committed to being part of the change, from the materials of our clothes to the packaging we use.

Our hang tags, collateral sleeves, stickers, mailer envelopes and boxes are all plastic-free, and 100% recycled and recyclable. They can be thrown away with your paper recycling and are all naturally biodegradable.

At Lunae Active, we also include our very special reusable bag made of recycled canvas. Picture your favorite tote bag with a sustainable makeover. Not only is it reusable, durable and adorable, it’s just as good for our planet as everything else. We have also decided to avoid using any “plastic” garment bags - whether it was biodegradable, compostable or not - for any of your orders.

From a production point of view, we ensure that our activewears is made under ethical conditions that adheres to the strict regulations on treatment of employees, waste disposal and sanitation. Our fabrics are dyed with eco-friendly dyes, approved and certified by OEKO-TEX® and GOTS, protecting the future of our planet. Each and every part of our supply chain has been carefully assembled over many years to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

Living consciously is an everyday, individual decision.Putting products aside, we want to be inclusive and transparent about what we do. We aim to encourage, empower and support each and everyone in our community. We’re committed to healing our planet, which is why it’s a constant work in progress for us.

What’s the story behind Lunae Active, why did you start the brand?

Ahhhh. It’s quite a long story actually. Be prepared!

So… I used to be an architect and as an active person I am constantly on the lookout for the perfect fit. It was only during the pandemic that I had time to finally pursue what I’ve always wanted to pursue - start my own activewear line. I always had a passion for it and kept buying them all the time from big brands and new hype brands. Almost all of the activewear that I’ve purchased from the past have either been returned, given away or just left aside after only wearing them for a few times because they always do not fit well.

Mainstream media perpetuates a very skewed view of a normal body, most brands feature models with lean and fit body types and I wanted to change that as I believe all bodies are beautiful and they should be represented as well.

I used to be quite self-conscious, especially when wearing a sports bra because of my armpit and back bulge, mainly due to the design of activewear. My solution to this was always to cover up with a t-shirt and I’m sure I don’t just speak for myself in this situation!

I’ve combined two big issues - fast fashion and plastic waste - that are currently affecting our planet, ultimately creating the most waste than we can fathom. Instead of just creating another activewear brand, my vision for Lunae is to make activewear that is designed for all bodies to feel confident and comfortable, and make it sustainable too. We all care for our planet, and there is no better way to save Mother Earth than through style and fitness. Lunae Active was born out of our consciousness that we have to give back to our planet.

I started our Core Collection with only a few designs and tweaked them so they would fit properly for all the ladies out there. It was a long journey taking about 2 years before my manufacturer was able to get it right; and I am happy to say that as of today, our bras and leggings hug and support you in all the right places.

My aim with Lunae Active is to take it slow, to encourage slow, sustainable and conscious shopping, which is why every detail of Lunae Active’s products are designed with love, and made to last.

Let’s talk about transparency around fabrics. We know that activewear is a tricky product to make due to the nature of its use - how do you combat this feeling knowing it will never completely be “sustainable”?

Our Core Collection fabric is crafted from 100% recycled fiber made Repreve recycled nylon, produced from post-consumer waste, such as carpets, and plastic bottles.

For every kilogram of material produced, 62% of energy conserved, 99% of water is saved, 35% of waste is avoided, 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin nylon.

Best of all, the need for crude oil, refinery, and chemical extraction is not required. Its fabrication requires plastic PET bottles that are collected, washed, sorted, chopped, melted, and reformed into new polyester chips, ready to be extruded into long filaments.

Our recycled fabric has been certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) so you know our commitment to truth in our materials in support of a circular economy to reduce waste. Our recycled fabric is also certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100. With this, you can be sure that our fabric has been tested for any harmful substances and are harmless to human health. We’re telling you this because we want you to know exactly what you’re putting on your body, stress-free!

But honestly, all synthetic activewear is made from plastic, we just make ours with materials that would otherwise clog landfills and pollute the ocean. Believe it or not, no one is going to believe you when you tell them it’s made from recycled plastic bottles!

We know that giving back is a huge part of the brand as seen with your partnership with i=Change, can you tell us more about that?

We’ve partnered with I=Change to give back $1 from every sale to a life-changing project of your choice. We’re committed to healing our planet, which is why we have chosen three Australian based projects to give back to Mother Earth - clean the sea, restore the land and restore the reef. Our projects are close to our heart as we aim to keep supporting the planet through style and fitness. This is just one of our ways to turn every purchase into a force for good.