The Rise in Celebrity-Designed Activewear Lines

Celebrities have long been recognised as powerful influencers in setting fashion trends and shaping consumer choices. Many garments popularised by various style icons throughout the ages have left an indelible mark on the fashion world and continue to inspire designers to this day. From Audrey Hepburn’s sophisticated glamor and introduction of the iconic black dress to James Dean’s rebellious denim and leather look, many of the outfits showcased by celebrities in days gone by remain steadfast items in present-day capsule wardrobes.

As trends have continued to evolve, clothing that fuses fashion with function has emerged as a dominant force in the industry giving birth to a genre of fashion known as activewear or athleisure. This portmanteau term combines casual, comfortable clothing designed for active pursuits as well as everyday wear.

According to the latest figures, the global sportswear market, currently valued at approximately USD 358 billion, is forecast to rise to over USD 450 billion by 2028.  It’s no surprise, then, that many celebrities are either endorsing or creating their own activewear lines and capitalising on this growing trend. In this article, we will take a closer look at some well-known celebrities currently setting standards in the activewear industry.

Ivy Park by Beyoncé

Launched in 2016, this activewear line owned by the American singer, Beyoncé Knowles, focuses on gender-inclusive apparel through modern aesthetics and versatile performance wear which can be worn both casually or at the gym. The streetwear-inspired brand blends style and functional athletic apparel to offer a selection of leggings, sports bras, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, and accessories.

Fabletics by Kate Hudson

Co-founded in 2013 by actress Kate Hudson, Fabletics has become one of the fastest-growing brands in the activewear world reaching revenues of USD 500 million in 2023. The brand offers high-performance, affordable activewear in various styles, colors and designs, focusing on an ethos of trendy and comfortable items including leggings, tank tops, sports bras, and jackets.

Yeezy by Kanye West

Yeezy is the invention of American rapper and designer, Kanye West. The fashion brand originally started out as a footwear-focused label, creating a range of sneakers that have since become highly popular amongst fashion aficionados worldwide. Yeezy joined forces with sportswear giants such as Adidas to release limited edition sneakers and also collaborated with Nike to create the Nike Air Yeezy.  The brand has since ventured into streetwear-inspired sports clothing which includes tops, bottoms and outerwear in neutral color palettes and oversized silhouettes.

Celebrity-inspired Activewear

While some celebrities focus their efforts solely on activewear, others lend their name to limited edition items, infusing their unique style and persona into collaborative collections. Some notable celebrity-inspired activewear include:

• Nike Kobe Bryant collection:  These sneakers inspired by basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, include Kobe 4 Girl Dad and Nike Kobe 6 Black Mamba.
• Puma Fenty: This collaboration between Barbadian singer, Rihanna, and sportswear brand, Puma features a range of streetwear-inspired, performance-driven apparel including footwear, clothing and accessories.
• Reebok X Victoria Beckham: Here, the ex-Spice Girl turned fashion designer has collaborated with Reebok to put a stylish and sophisticated spin on activewear.

As activewear continues to revolutionise our perceptions of fashion and seamlessly blend into our everyday lives, celebrities will no doubt continue to be at the forefront of this market and movement.

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