Hip Hong Kong restaurant Yardbird’s co-founder and fitness fanatic on how activewear is changing the face of fashion
The Canadian entrepreneur talks food, fitness and fashion as Missbish, the online editorial platform she cofounded with Gillian Wong and Nicole Fung, launches its first apparel collection
Tell us about your journey from food to fashion.“I wouldn’t say I’m ‘in’ fashion. I have always loved clothes and accessories, but even more than that, I love exercising and feeling good while I’m doing it. I was born into hospitality, it’s still a huge passion, and I was lucky enough to meet my co-founders, Gillian Wong and Nicole Fung, at Yardbird. They had the original idea for Missbish as the editorial platform that you see today. Launching a private label collection with our namesake seemed like the next logical business move.”
Why do you think activewear is playing an increasingly important role in women’s lives? “For the longest time, wearing workout clothes [in public] was unacceptable. Nowadays, sweating is a status symbol and going from the gym to work to happy hour is a common routine.”
I still like to dress up and wear heels once in a while, just not every day. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to think about the longevity and health of my body, and I want to be able to exercise until I die. Ruining my feet in heels every day is just not my cup of tea
Do you think streetwear has helped contribute to the rise of activewear? “100 per cent. With brands like Balenciaga and Off-White topping the most coveted and profitable lists, it’s a massive sign that the standard of high fashion has shifted towards street and active. Gucci makes tracksuits. Supreme just took US$1 billion in investment. Vetements sells Champion for crazy prices. It’s a huge business and everyone is jumping on board. Whether you’d actually exercise in your active streetwear or not, it’s a statement and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.”
Tell us about your debut collection. “The 15-piece collection is all black, lingerie-inspired with an edge. Lots of technical detailing ensures its functionality, but, in the end, I just wanted to make a collection that made you feel good from the inside out. My favourite piece is the Jana jacket– an oversized bomber in Eurojersey with a removable cropped vest so that you can be the ‘cool girl’ with your jacket resting on your shoulders and your arms through the vest so it won’t fall off.”
How is activewear disrupting the fashion market? “There are more tights being sold than denim [jeans] now. Superstars such as Rihanna and Beyoncé are making activewear, as are designers like Alexander Wang – he’s my ultimate collaboration goal – Tory Burch, Stella McCartney, Sacai. I’m sure purists would argue that activewear is ruining the fashion world, but I think it’s making it more accessible and usable in people’s everyday lives.”