NEW YORK, Oct 24 — Inspired by her passion for yoga, Melissa Chu founded Rumi X in 2014 to offer women a modern and stylish activewear range that both looks and feels great.

Developed with eco-conscious fabrics for an extra feel-good factor, Melissa uses recyclable materials such as ground coffee beans and plastic water bottles to develop her materials, which she then transforms into the vibrant and unique designs that have rapidly become the signature style of Rumi X.

Based in Hong Kong, Rumi X can be found in stores throughout Asia and even as far away as Holland, and can be shipped throughout the world. Pieces are suitable for not only yoga but also CrossFit, running, Barre, and pretty much any active sport.

As a new season is a great time to invest in new sportswear, Relaxnews spoke to Melissa to find out more about how the environment and performance come together in her eco-friendly collection of yogawear.

Rumi X is a collection of activewear not only suitable for yoga and many other sports, but also eco-friendly. What is the story behind the brand and why did you decide to go eco-friendly?

I wanted to design something beautiful but also something that helped progress towards the sustainable movement. It started from a passion for yoga, but also transcended into a lifestyle of being active and seeking out wellness in our lives. The idea was to create a line that’s comfortable for everyday active living and made from materials that no longer served their purpose. So we set out to find waste materials — including coffee grounds and plastic water bottles — that can be made into high-tech fabrics.

Where does your design inspiration come from for your collection?

Our collection is designed to make people feel good. The inspiration comes from everyday movement and being comfortable throughout the day. Eco-friendly, high-quality, soft and stretchy, breathable material is foremost, and we ensure that the designs are wearable pieces that express our individuality and uniqueness.

How do you develop your eco-friendly fabrics, and can eco-friendly fabrics perform in the same way as sportswear manufactured with more traditional methods and fabrics?

Yes! Eco-friendly fabrics are widely available around the world. We work with our suppliers to ensure it’s high quality, comfortable and with high-performance functions such as four-way stretch, breathability, and moisture wicking. Eco-friendly fabrics are essentially recycled yarn so they can be made into any high-tech sportswear.

Our range is suitable for all athletic activities, our shorts and sports bras are even worn as swimwear for individuals who like to have more coverage!

Are there are new technologies emerging in the area of sustainable eco-friendly fabrics? Anything that you would like to try to start using in Rumi X?

We’d like to start testing more new fabrics on the market, and we’ve heard that Lycra (the stretch in our clothes) can be made of eco-friendly yarns now. We’re also looking into fabrics made of charcoal, coconut, harvested flaxseed and even spoiled milk!

What advice would you give someone looking to invest in new gear for their yoga class? Any particular fabrics, shapes or cuts to look out for?

Try on everything and make sure what you invest in is comfortable, long lasting and makes you feel good! four-way stretch, moisture wicking and breathability are the qualities that feel the best on your skin.

What do you think is driving the current trend for ‘athleisure’? Did you design Rumi X with that in mind, the ability to be worn both on and off the mat, or solely as performance sportswear?

Everyone wants to be a better version of themselves. I think people in general are becoming more aware of their connection to their environment and want to live a healthier, more relaxed lifestyle and that’s being reflected in our clothing choices. That’s how we designed Rumi X, to reflect our modern lifestyles while being performance-driven, in everyday wearable textures and styles.

What do you think will be the next trends in activewear?

Activewear pieces made of intelligent fabrics that can help improve our everyday lives. — AFP-Relaxnews