Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Sizing Sportswear
I would like to share an article that perfectly aligns with our passion for inclusive sizing in sportswear. 👚💪
Article: "The Rise of Inclusive Sizing: Revolutionizing the Sportswear Industry"
This insightful piece delves into the transformative journey of the sportswear industry towards inclusivity. Over 10 years of being in the manufacturing industry, it's been inspiring to witness brands embracing the idea that fitness and fashion should be accessible to everyone, regardless of body size.
Inclusive sizing isn't just a trend; it's a movement towards empowerment. It means that individuals of all body types can confidently pursue an active lifestyle with clothing that not only fits but celebrates their unique beauty and strength. 🌈✨
As someone deeply committed to this cause, I believe that inclusivity isn't just about expanding size ranges; it's about promoting self-love and body positivity. It's about acknowledging that diversity is beautiful and strength comes in every shape and size.
I encourage you all to read the article and explore the incredible strides being made in the world of inclusive sizing sportswear. Let's celebrate the brands championing this cause and, more importantly, let's continue to support and uplift one another on our journeys to a healthier, happier, and more inclusive world. 💪❤️
#InclusiveSizing #BodyPositivity #SportswearRevolution #KCVaghela
]]>
Let's talk about it!
🌿 Polyester vs. Recycled Polyester in Sportswear Manufacturing 🌿
Polyester:
🔸 Made from synthetic fibers derived from petroleum.
🔸 Non-renewable resource; relies on the extraction and processing of fossil fuels.
🔸 Requires a significant amount of energy and resources during production.
🔸 May contribute to environmental pollution due to the release of microfibers during washing.
Recycled Polyester:
🔹 Made from recycled plastic bottles, fabric scraps, or other post-consumer waste materials.
🔹 Reduces the demand for new petroleum extraction and diverts waste from landfills.
🔹 Production consumes less energy and water compared to virgin polyester.
🔹 Helps mitigate pollution by reusing existing materials and preventing them from entering ecosystems.
Popular Brands:
🌟 Polyester: Nike, Adidas, Under Armour (in the process of fully switching over)
🌟 Recycled Polyester: Patagonia, The North Face, REI Co-op.
Make an eco-conscious choice for your sportswear! ♻️💪
#sustainablefashion #recycledpolyester #sportswear #ecofriendlychoices
(image source : https://lnkd.in/ezmH9p8C)
In the world of sportswear, where durability and performance are paramount, LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ stands as a game-changing technology. This innovative fiber enhances the longevity of fabrics, ensuring they retain their shape, fit, and vibrant color even after repeated wear and rigorous washing.
Whether you're an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or someone who simply loves activewear, LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ offers unparalleled benefits. Sportswear garments equipped with LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ technology maintain their stretch and recovery properties, providing a superior fit that moves with your body during every exercise or workout session.
Moreover, LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ resists the damaging effects of chlorine, sunscreen, and oils, making it ideal for outdoor water-based activities. This innovative technology helps your sportswear stand the test of time, enabling you to push your limits without compromising on style or performance.
Elevate your performance, embrace longevity, and set new benchmarks in the world of athletic apparel through #LYCRAXTRALIFE
Find our Zikomo Bush-Sleeve crop top using recycled polyester and LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ at:
https://kcvaghela.com/collections/womenswear/products/recycled-long-sleeve-crop-top
#SportswearPerformance #AthleticApparel #Innovation #FunctionalSportswear #KCVaghela
In recent years, the demand for high-performance sportswear and athleisurewear has skyrocketed. People want clothes that can keep up with their active lifestyles, while also looking stylish and comfortable. Two technologies that have emerged as game-changers in this space are MaxDri moisture management and MicroBlok anti-microbial fabric. Let's take a closer look at these technologies and compare them to the popular Dri-Fit fabric.
MaxDri moisture management is a technology that wicks away sweat and moisture from the skin, keeping you cool and dry during physical activities. It is especially useful during intense workouts where you're likely to sweat a lot. This technology is integrated into the fabric itself, which means it won't wash out over time. On the other hand, Dri-Fit fabric also wicks away moisture, but it may not be as effective as MaxDri in extreme conditions.
MicroBlok anti-microbial fabric is a technology that inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms on the fabric. This is especially important in sportswear and athleisurewear as bacteria growth can cause odor and even infections. MicroBlok fabric is also hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin. Dri-Fit fabric also has anti-microbial properties, making it very similar to MicroBlok in preventing the growth of microorganisms.
The benefits of MaxDri and MicroBlok technologies are numerous. For starters, they keep you comfortable and odor-free during physical activities. They also reduce the risk of infections and other health issues caused by bacteria growth. Additionally, they help prolong the life of your sportswear and athleisurewear by preventing the fabric from deteriorating due to moisture and bacteria.
For these reasons, we decided to work with MaxDri technologies within our Athletic Flex T-shirts. We wanted to infuse functionality into ours men's t-shirts, much like how our ladies leggings are manufactured with opacity and a wide waistband to achieve the effect that shape wear can give. We wanted to create something that is light to wear and multi purpose; something that can be worn in the gym, but also on the daily during a hot summer's day, or even summer's night at a music gig. We did not want to use a cotton t-shirt for the reasons of colour fading and creasing. Our customer is the guy who is on the go from the gym to the gig, while maintaining his style. Functionality is a huge pillar for us at KCVaghela.
In conclusion, MaxDri moisture management and MicroBlok anti-microbial fabric are two technologies that have revolutionized the sportswear and athleisurewear industry. While Dri-Fit fabric is still a popular choice, these new technologies offer superior benefits that cannot be ignored. By choosing clothes made with MaxDri and MicroBlok technologies, you can ensure that you look and feel your best during physical activities, while also protecting your health and prolonging the life of your clothes.
]]>Size Diversity
In Zambia, and in most parts of Africa, we have shapely women. Unfortunately, finding clothing, particularly sportswear that celebrates this, is difficult unless garments are made to measure.
The lack of size inclusivity in sportswear is a pressing issue in the fashion industry. There has been a global shift in the past few years, especially during and post-pandemic, towards exercise, health and well-being. There has been a growing number of plus-size customers, whom many brands continue to overlook and offer limited options for larger sizes.
Research has shown that sportswear companies have been neglecting the plus-size market for far too long. For instance, it has been reported that only 2% of sportswear brands cater to women above a size 16. This insensitivity to the needs of curvier individuals has had negative effects not only on them but also on the brands' sales. Moreover this lack of diversity in sizing not only excludes a significant portion of the market but also perpetuates the societal stigma sending a message that larger bodies are not worthy of representation in athletic wear. This has a negative knock on effect on plus-size individuals engaging in physical activity and leads to lower self-esteem and confidence.
To address this issue, sports brands must prioritize size inclusivity in their designs and marketing strategies. They need to expand their sizing charts to accommodate a wider range of body types and recognize these different fit requirements and ensure they provide adequate performance and comfort level.
The one-size-fits-all approach no longer suffices; brands must consider the unique needs of their customers in order to build a loyal customer base that is relevant to these current times.
In conclusion, the lack of size inclusivity in sportswear is a pervasive issue that affects millions of customers. Brands must recognize the importance of size diversity and prioritize their efforts to cater to all body types. The industry must promote body positivity, inclusivity, and equality, allowing all individuals to feel comfortable and confident in their athletic wear, and feel motivated to participate in sports, regardless of their size.
]]>
Colour inspo: Jacaranda
The Jacaranda tree is a stunning tree with delicate fern-like leaves and large clusters of trumpet-shaped purple flowers. It grows predominantly in tropical and subtropical climates across the world. The Jacaranda is a common sight in many parts of the world, including South Africa, South America, and Australia. The tree is widely regarded for its beauty and is popular among gardeners, landscapers, and botanists alike.
The beautiful hue of the Jacaranda flower makes it an attractive option in the fashion industry. Many designers have used Jacaranda purple in their collections, including renowned fashion houses like Gucci and Versace.
Our colour palette draws all inspiration from Zambia’s flora and fauna, and our shade of purple is from the iconic Jacaranda tree. The drive down Addis Ababa drive near the Taj Pamodzi hotel in Lusaka is vibrant just because of them.
We used it boldly in our unisex Jacaranda hoodie as an alternative to our male customers, who’s go-to feminine clothing colour over the past few years was a shade of salmon pink. We wanted to showcase a colour that can work across both male and female counterparts as well as over different age groups. We have also used it as an accent within our Zikomo print, as it really is a timeless shade that is sure to make a statement in any wardrobe.
This hoodie can be found at
https://kcvaghela.com/collections/menswear/products/mens-zikomo-jacaranda-hoodie in sizes up to 3 XL
Incase you missed it…
Our first Pop Up shop post-pandemic - for ONE day only!
To showcase our latest Zikomo collection, a reinterpreted Chitenge print functional sportswear.
As much as we are available worldwide via our website www.kcvaghela.com and can delivery globally, we realised that in order to grow from the grassroots as an authentic Zambian brand, we needed to go back home and do it the traditional way!
We asked to use our original KC store, which thankfully was not being used as it is process of reconstruction, and we did a quick revamp. A lick of paint and a tasteful yet industrial style single metal rod and chains, and a few original pieces for nostalgic effect.
We are available online at www.kcvaghela.com
Order online and have it delivered to Lusaka, exactly how you would order your Amazon/Zara/PLT order : to the UK address of your courier of choice ie. OneWorld, iShop, etc
Enjoy and Zikomo, we are grateful to our community for your patience as we manoeuvred through the pandemic.It was an absolute pleasure seeing old and new faces. Can’t wait for the next one!
]]>
Last week I visited a very interesting shop - I would not have seen it without my niece and nephew choosing to go in because 'it was the coolest new thing in town!'
Weekday on Regent's Street blew my mind because downstairs they had an in-store printing and alternations section inside a glass box (as seen in the video). I believe this makes the customer experience so much more interesting, and it keeps them hooked rather than going elsewhere to get customisations done. It's a one-stop shop.
Aesthetics are hugely appealing. At my original KC store, because we are a heritage brand off of City Clothing, our store had original pieces from the factory over the years - from the Hermes 3000 typewriter that the secretary used to use, to the original cash register my mother used to cashier on in the '70s. I had clients revisiting because they loved the vintage yet commercial feel.
I believe customer's want to be part of the story. How products and companies come into fruition. This is why WeekDay's set up appealed to me so much. According to BBC's statistic of 48% increase in online sales during the pandemic, its experiences like this that will retain customers and bring them back into brick and mortar stores as a way to complement online storefronts. We need to bring those real connections back because we as humans buy with our feelings.
PS: I would have loved to have brought in an embroidery machine into my KC store as a key piece of vintage furniture but also as a weekly customer experience.
Sharing the gems I see in my walks through London.
-KC
]]>
#WearInTheWorld would you wear your Zikomo leggings? We’re wearing it for our next flight because it’s super comfy and stretchy and keeps all our curves “checked-in” 🇿🇲✈️🌍
For our birthday we decided to go to Dubai and let me tell you something - in that 6 hour flight we were both comfortable (none of this waistband too tight on one's torso business) and able to stretch out. We were warm in our signature purple hoodie because it's got a really thin layer of fleece on the inner part which makes it great for both London and Dubai (winter) weather.
Happy Days!
]]>
It's not just a hoodie, you’re carrying its culture, your culture, African culture.
All that power and strength to bring you to where you are today, that’s what it is.
How you carry yourself is how you will be perceived so carry yourself with pride. Check it out now at www.kcvaghela.com
They are here! Our 🇿🇲 Zikomo collection is tailored to three bespoke cuts and prints; our iconic Zikomo Print Hoodie, our Signature Purple Hoodie (it is dyed to our specific Pantone shade🤩) and our Standard Black Sweatshirt with trusty purple embroidered KC logo on the chest.
All pieces are interchangeable within the collection because we wanted it to be easy for you to put a look together – versatility is key. And guess what – they are all also unisex! Who says purple is feminine? Didn’t we say earlier the reason we love purple it’s balance between masculine and feminine.
You want that oversized hoodie look, buy a size larger and wear it with style! 💥
Check our iconic Zikomo hoodie on www.kcvaghela.com right now!
We love print! Especially the vibrancy of African print. Obviously because this is where our heritage lies, this is what we were surrounded with when we were growing up. But how come when we went travelling or decided to live abroad, all the colour and seeds of history didn't come with us? Is it because the vividness of these prints don't work in an everyday context in the West? Is it because it was only seen on occasion wear for a wedding or matabeto? Is it because the characteristic roar of Africa was too loud to be placed on a WHOLE jacket or dress?
Well, this was a pain point for us. We wanted to carry Africa on our back, our history, our heritage, our culture. In a way that was understood and celebrated by those in the West, and a reminder to our diaspora around the world that home stays in our hearts no matter where we are.
So our designer Kaajal decided to take some of her favourite chitenges she'd bought in Kamwala, the fabric district of Lusaka, and reinterpret them in our new and updated brand colour palette - colours that represent Africa but are also a conducive and inviting array rather than the original primary technicolour hues of original Chitenge. And enhance the hoodies that she'd started designing prior to the pandemic.
We call this the art of refinement. The way Chitenge has been added subtly without it being in your face is key to appealing to a wider audience, to showing culture in a quiet way and to remind the world that we may not be seen all the time but we still make a huge impact. We are our own secret sauce. The art of refinement also means that the way Chitenge has been reinterpreted for a wider audience is that we are opening us up as a conduit to a culture we call home. And we want to share that with the world and have everyone celebrate life with us.
We have applied this technique and value through out all our pieces in the Zikomo collection, because after all, we are thankful you have allowed us to tell our story and you want to listen.
See the next blog for our new and updated colour palette!
#LoveitLiveitBeit
]]>This is the evolution of our logo.
We started off in 2009 with this concept for KC Vaghela - to create a logo that was iconic and witty yet simple.
The logo was a line with an elongated C across it to make a 'K' and a 'C' at the same time!
We played around, moving the C rightwards until we got the most perfect positioning of the C to across the line.
Then we finalized our colour palette, black, white, grey and a beautiful shade of purple.
We love Purple because it's both masculine and feminine, a mixture of blue and pink. Purple represents creativity/innovation, independence and power. Elements we carry in our brand but also character traits of our target audience.
We used logo 3 for almost 9 years until this last year (the one before Covid!) The KC symbol started gaining traction being seen solely on our caps and sunglasses worn by our Brand Ambassadors. People recognised the symbol but didn't know what to call it except for what they read below it and started calling it Vaghela brand (not knowing that the symbol was the actual KC). So we annotated it to say KCVaghela below.
This is much more personal and representative of our designer Kaajal.
Logo created by the talented Rajan Jangda