As an avid Pilates enthusiast – and trained instructor – I’ve certainly worn my fair share of exercise gear made for lunges, squats and the dreaded “hundreds” exercise.
There are heaps of brands on the market all claiming to be waist-cinching, butt-lifting and some even go so far as to say “sweat proof” but when I put on a bodysuit from 108 Sportif I knew, this time, it was different.
I tried on the $269 Capri Cutout Short Bodysuit cautiously, but excitedly, because with the very first feel of the thick, luxurious fabric I felt like I was swathing myself in pure silk.
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I wasn’t, obviously, (because imagine the sweat stains) but it was still the most comfortable piece of material I’d ever worn.
And it’s no surprise the brand has opted for such a delicious material because founder Christina Faraonio’s desire was to create a bodysuit that felt like a “second skin” that could effortlessly transcend beyond a workout studio.
The label’s latest capsule collection, YIN & YANG, blends activewear and fashion to create the ultimate sense of versatility, whether you’re looking for leggings, shorts or sports crops for your next workout.
Steering away from trends, Christina designs pieces that are seasonless, classic and built to last, and her latest collection clearly exemplifies this.
To minimise waste, 108 Sportif works to a non-traditional fashion schedule, releasing two capsules a year which expand on existing designs so that pieces can pair back seamlessly with previous collections.
“I’ve always been in love with both fashion and fitness. Being constantly on the move meant I needed elegant, high-quality pieces I could wear throughout my day – but I struggled to find them. That made me wonder, ‘What if I create them myself?’” Christina said.
“I studied fashion design on the Gold Coast and went on to work as a fashion buyer. Whilst working as a buyer, I was saddened to see how trend driven the industry was and how fast styles changed from one season to another, contributing to enormous waste.”
In 2018, Christina finally had the courage to step away from her buyer role and realise her dreams in 108 Sportif, which is now available at Stylerunner.
Every piece from the range is produced from the highest quality recycled fabrics crafted from ECONYL, REPREVE and TOPGREEN yarns.
Christina and her husband Akshay work closely with their manufacturing partners based out of Bali and have built long-standing personal relationships with the members of their manufacturing team.
“From the outset the one thing we wanted was to have full transparency on how the people behind our brand were treated. After months of searching, we found an amazing setup in Bali where workers are paid well over living wage, offered medical insurance and working conditions are on par with western factories,” she said.
“We meet the team every few months and it’s such a humbling feeling to grow together with them.”
In 2022, 108 Sportif was featured in Goop’s holiday gift guide with its signature bodysuit, the Capri.
Other Aussie women who have tried the brand are raving about the latest collection online.
“I haven’t seen such a masterpiece in a while. Amazing quality and fit. Just check the size chart before ordering to get the best size for your body (I ordered a S but then had to switch to M). Also great customer service, so attentive and quick to respond,” one woman wrote.
“I am obsessed. Planning to buy more. Could not believe how well it fit,” said another.
A third added: “This is the perfect fit for me and it’s so comfortable. I sometimes find one pieces hard to fit me as I am much smaller on the top than the bottom but the amazing team were able to help me and were so responsive all through Instagram! The piece fits perfectly and is so comfortable for all of my barre moves. I get stopped whenever I wear it as it’s so classy and eye catching.”
To shop the new collection, head here.