Aviva Babins – Toronto street trends – Zen Mamma

 

Zen Mamma

 

Twenty years after influencing the high cut leotard in the 1980’s, who would have every thought that Susan Summers and Jane Fonda would make a re-emergence on the fashion scene? However, this time, the work out shaping the nation is not high-powered aerobics, its Zen-inspired yoga. Now, let me introduce the Canadian fashion brand that has swept the nation – Lululemon. Walking down the streets of Toronto, on any given day, you can count up to 15+ women wearing Lululemon yoga pants; this of course is not including Starbucks, where one would find all of the yummy mummies wearing head-to-toe Lulu!

 

 

 

Comfy-casual-about-to-head-to-my-pilates-class is THE look to have at the moment, combine it with the GI diet and you’ve got yourself an epidemic!

 

 

Lululemon was founded in 1998 in Kitsilano, Vancouver (in the Western Canadian province of British Columbia). The concept of the brand was established by athletic visionaries who wished to promote yoga, and advance the participation of women in sport.  The company believes in encouraging a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle, providing fashionable garments that embody their mission.

 

 

 

 

The store exteriors are ‘wooden’ and inviting, with captions like Soy it ain’t so and Green is the new Black in their window displays.The product is fabulous. The Lululemon range has been developed over the years and now boasts a diverse line of womenswear and menswear.  Products include: yoga pants and shorts in different cuts/lengths, tops, casual wear, rock-climbing gear and more! Their fabric is breathable, supple, and can make any tush look hot! In fact, Lulu’s have quite the following and have even made an impression abroad: upon my travels, I met a New Zealander who told me that his favourite memory of Toronto was all of the women wearing Lululemon pants!!! Talk about total recall!

 

 

 

The staff are very helpful, and the brand stands true to its’ guiding principles, offering yoga instructional classes to staff members, instructional videos for customers – whether they are pregnant, athletic, advanced, or beginners – yoga mats and carriers, as well as neighborhood pilates/yoga studio information.

 

Fashionistas beware: a new day has come upon us, where the world seeks not only spiritual advice from the Dalai Lama, but fashion advice too!

 

By Aviva Babins