- Hyphenly by Immigrantly
- Posts
- From Squat-Proof to Streetwear: Immigrant Brands Redefining Fitness
From Squat-Proof to Streetwear: Immigrant Brands Redefining Fitness
Dear Hyphenly Readers,
Fitbits, Vests & Surveillance: The Double-Edged Future of Athletic Tech From Fitbits to Apple Watches to GPS-powered vests, wearable tech has revolutionized how athletes train, recover, and compete. But with data comes power and risk. In the episode, host Kavitha Davidson dives deep into how devices like Catapult's wearable vests are reshaping pro and amateur sports, from Duke basketball to high school football in Georgia. The episode explores the promise of injury prevention, the pressure of player monitoring, and the growing ethical debate over data, privacy, and fairness. Is this the future of peak performance or surveillance disguised as progress? If you like this episode, don’t forget to rate and review! |
As we ideated and researched for the episode, we thought about all the immigrant-owned athletic wear brands on the market and the cutting-edge technology they use to optimize design. Think squat-proof leggings, sustainable materials, honoring culture and legacy.
For this edition of Hyphenly, we’re recommending 2 immigrant-owned activewear brands.
POPFLEX by Cassey Ho
Chances are, you know Cassey Ho, especially if you really got into Pilates during the pandemic. Ho is the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants and was expected to study medicine. But during her time at university, when she started teaching at a local Pilates studio, she noticed a problem: “she could not find a cute bag to hold her yoga mat, keys, CD, water bottle and towel. So, she decided to create her own.”
Today, Ho has over 19 million followers and 3 billion views with women and young girls from all over the world following her journey as a Head Designer and CEO with 2 successful brands: POPFLEX and Blogilates.
YEMA by Yema Khalif and Hawi Awash
Yema Khalif, from Kibera slums (the largest slum in Africa) and co-founder/partner, Hawi Awash, a refugee from Ethiopia, met while attending university in California. Inspired by their East African lineage and Bay Area’s urban street wear, YEMA was created not just for the bold, expressive patterns but also for an important mission.
From their HY Foundation, you’ll find an important message: “YEMA collaborates with non-profit organizations, orphanages, and community initiatives to uplift marginalized communities in Ethiopia and Kenya. We channel 20% of every purchase made on our website directly towards supporting orphaned children in Ethiopia and the Kibera slums in Kenya, enabling them to receive the care, education, and support they deserve.”
Got another activewear brand we should feature? Or a fitness story from your own immigrant experience? Hit reply or email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.
Daily News for Curious Minds
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.
This newsletter was curated by Suhasini Patni.
Hyphenly curates the latest news, art, and businesses from immigrants around the world. Have a tip or story we should feature? We’d love to hear from you.
We’re currently accepting blog pitches and offer a small honorarium—send your pitch to [email protected]
This month, we are particularly looking to feature stories from queer immigrants. We are looking for personal stories that are queer in all senses of the word – whether it’s your coming-out story, a movie that changed your life, how queerness looks in your culture and family, profiles on queer elders you’ve learned from, and more.
Visit us at www.immigrantlypod.com.