I first met designer Sarah Wilson at her small workshop in North Miami Beach on a rainy South Florida day, but she was the complete opposite of the weather. Sarah, blonde and beautifully in shape, had the sunniest of dispositions and her aura exuded warmth and positivity. Matter of fact, she’s one of the few artists that I’ve met who’s actually a genuine reflection of what she creates.
Sarah, who loves to work-out and wants to look good while doing it, has combined her two biggest passions (fashion and athletics) to build a budding business called “Fashletics.” The hybrid name is cool, catchy and kind of perfect. At least, her husband thinks so. When she first came up with the idea (while brainstorming at her kitchen table,) she asked him what he thought, to which he immediately replied: “It’s so bad, it’s good.”
I laughed when she told me the story because he’s totally right; in a marketing/branding kind of way. Fashletics, though, is way more than just a combination of words. The brand, which is made up of small but durable charm jewelry consisting of barbells, dumbbells, weight plates, kettle bells, dog tags (used to adorn necklaces, bracelets and earrings) along with spirited workout wear (t-shirts and exercise socks) is all about empowering and inspiring the men and women who wear it.
Everything Sarah designs is peppered with positive affirmations. Some of my favorites include: “Struggles Reveal Strength,” “Dig Deep Rise Up,” “Believe In Yourself,” “Weakness Is A Choice,” “Progress Not Perfection,” “Live What You Love” and “I Am What I Have Overcome.” There seems to be something in the line for everyone when it comes to celebrating and motivating the human condition.
By the way, this isn’t just some kitschy idea Sarah thought of one day while laying around on the couch eating potato chips. She completely drinks her own Kool-Aid. Sarah is a bonafide athlete in her own right: along with being a certified CrossFit coach, she’s competed on Team USA in the sport of Duthalon (which is basically a triathlon without the swimming.)
During some of her most agonizing preparations, Sarah found that training her mind was just as important as training her body. Overcoming her self doubt, which a lot of even the most seasoned athletes can experience, became easier with her own personal mantras and mottos. Sarah didn’t just repeat them to herself, though, she put them on her jewelry, clothing and whatever else she could to motivate her mind into believing what was ultimately in her heart: YES YOU CAN.
Read the rest of the blog at www.WSVN.com or shop the jewelry and work-out wear looks at www.fashletics.com.
Twitter: @Fashletics
Instagram: @fashletics
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fashletics
Twitter: @ShireenSandoval
IG: @ShireenSandoval
ssandoval@wsvn.com
www.shireensandoval.com
Photographer: James Woodley
Twitter: @BritFloridian
IG: @BritFloridian
www.James-Woodley.com
Hair & Make-up: Odette Hernandez
Twitter: @Odettehernandz
IG: @O.D.E.T.T
Styling & Assist: Jackie Kay
Blog ideas: jackie211@yahoo.com
Editor: Matthew Auerbach
MattAuerbach@yahoo.com