INTERVIEW #107 WELLICIOUS
Brand: Wellicious
Introduction: Wellicious is a circular, Cradle to Cradle Certified® brand specialising in stylish and sustainable yoga fashion. Inspired by the ocean, their gorgeous new eco-premium yoga collection features classic designs in an array of complimentary blues to mix and match. Their flattering modern, minimalist designs are crafted with care and their attention to detail means your sports bras, leggings and tank tops will hold their shape, wear-after-wear, season-after-season. Made from ethically sourced, lightweight yet strong, silhouette-smoothing fabrics that are gentle on the skin, Wellicious garments let you move freely and with confidence through every pose.
Based in: UK & Germany
Founded in: 2007
Founded by: Heike Petersen Cunza
Store: Order directly from the Wellicious online store: https://www.wellicious.com/. Wellicious ships worldwide
Price range: Between 60 - 120 Euros
Instagram: @wellicious
Facebook: @wellicious
Twitter: @wellicious
LinkedIn: @wellicious
Hi Wellicious, a big welcome to A Sustainable Closet. Tell us about your story and why you started Wellicious?
The Wellicious story began in London in 2007 when sustainability was a vision shared by just a few in the fashion industry - including our founder, a self-proclaimed sustainability warrior and mother of three, Heike Petersen Cunza.
Inspired as a child by her grandmother Maria’s dedication to living a sustainable lifestyle, it was at a 2006 trade fair in Paris where Heike found herself immersed in a small crowd of people who shared her dream of shaking up the fashion industry for the better. And so began Heike’s mission to combine her love of yoga with the philosophy that style should not be at the expense of our planet.
We are curious about the name Wellicious, what does it mean?
Wellicious is a blend of the words: Wellbeing and Delicious. It means leading a sustainable lifestyle that you enjoy to the fullest.
You are like many other brands, on a journey to become even more sustainable; how are you working with sustainability today and what makes your product a better choice?
Our eco-friendly luxury yoga brand is the world’s first safe, biodegradable, and circular yoga wear collection. Our pioneering Cradle to Cradle Certified® line is the result of six years of extensive sustainable material development research, resulting in numerous industry-changing breakthroughs, including the use of a new, non-toxic type of elastane.
It was our aim to build a company where we could manufacture durable and circular yoga products, reuse and recycle all materials and eliminate fashion waste and pollution. The idea of a transparent biodegradable yoga clothing line, safe for biological systems and which decomposes into nutrients for other organisms, seemed near impossible – but we dreamed and aimed big – and have succeeded in making that a reality.
How and where are the products produced, where do you source the material from?
All our suppliers are from the EU and our products are also made in the EU, where standard working rights and environmental law apply.
What are your best-selling products?
Our top three selling products are:
Wellicious C2C Best Yoga Pants in Caviar Black - These soft, stretchy, relaxed eco yoga pants allow a full range of motion to fully enjoy your yoga practice, and are designed with a gathered waistband that can be folded down.
Wellicious C2C Easy Pocket Leggings in Caviar Black - These biodegradable organic cotton yoga leggings in caviar black are the perfect basis on which to build your yoga wear wardrobe. With their wide, high waist and flattering and supportive fit, they will keep you covered in every asana. The useful hidden pocket was designed to help you to keep your valuables like money or card. They are the perfect basic eco-friendly leggings you will always come back to.
Wellicious C2C New 7/8 Dynamic Leggings in Caviar Black & Sea Green - The contrasting waistband looks fantastic on everyone and perfect for your athleisure wardrobe. The organic cotton feels soft and luxurious on your skin, while maintaining high absorbency and a structured, durable feel.
Where do you find inspiration?
In cosmopolitan cities such as London or Paris, and in nature. Wellicious is an urban brand, with a strong focus on nature.
Have you had any major challenges?
At every step during the production, we have encountered challenges but we overcame them with a positive mindset and a can-do attitude.
What has been your largest gain?
Our team is very motivated as we work and live towards a bigger goal! We are passionate about protecting our planet for our children and future generations to live and love life as we do.
What do you think needs to change in the yoga & sportswear industry to make it more sustainable?
Wellicious is a proud sustainability pioneer in the yoga activewear industry and proves that style, functionality, and environmental awareness do not have to be mutually exclusive. Women can now dress their active lifestyle in elegant, comfortable, and responsible clothing that aligns with their values.
We help consumers make positive consumption choices and prove that it is possible to look great whilst protecting nature. We believe in conscious consumerism, long-lasting design, and quality instead of quantity. We are continually working to improve our products to make them even more environmentally friendly and our footprint as small as possible.
We care that our products are not disposed of after every season, but rather are made to last for years. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the effect of their purchasing on the environment, leading to growing interest in buying more sustainable products. And as consumer opinion prioritizes social and environmental well-being, it can lead to exponential change! Choosing compostable yoga wear, while it may seem like a small step, can lead to bigger change and innovation across the apparel industry.
Best thing about Wellicious?
Our team spirit!
What's up next, do you have anything fun to share with our readers?
We are thinking of launching new Cradle to Cradle Certified® products and working on collaborations.