The eagle-eyed reader may have noticed a little dusting of LUCAS HUGH appearing on FitnessOnToast recently… For those who’ve not encountered the brand, I tend to think of it as the original luxury athletic-wear maison, founded way back in 2010 by creative director Anjhe Mules. She had the visionary aspiration of fusing hyper-technical fabrics with fashion-forward designs, and packaging it all up with expert ‘luxe’ execution. 4 years on, this concept no longer seems revolutionary to us, and is emulated by so many, but this trailblazer must be recognised! I adore the sleekness of the lines, the politely daring aesthetic, the functionality of the fabrics (both from the visually ‘shaping’ function and the ‘technical’ properties), the snug feel of the fit, and even the sophisticated majesty of that iconic logo. I took a LUCAS HUGH ‘look’ to the gardens of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Lake Como for this photoshoot; click MORE to see the results & to read my interview with Anjhe!
F.O.T: Fitness and Fashion are in the process of fusing; how do you see the fitness fashion landscape in 10 years time?
AM: I believe active wear is the future of ready to wear.
To your mind, what differentiates LUCAS HUGH from other fitness brands?
LUCAS HUGH re-imagines athletic wear for the woman whose love of high fashion carries through to her athletic wear – whilst meeting the demands of the contemporary wardrobe for versatility, practicality and functionality.
The collections combine a high fashion aesthetic with innovative, considered design and are produced using the latest hi-tech fabrics and manufacturing techniques. One of our guiding principles is that the garments can be worn comfortably, both in and outside the gym, and transition from day into evening wear – and yet perform to the high standards required by elite sportspeople when they work out.
The last two years have seen an explosion of new fitness brand startups; how do you feel about the diversity of design within this world of fitness ‘fashion’?
I think it’s a really exciting time for active wear. When I launched LUCAS HUGH in 2010, there really was nothing interesting and cool to wear to the gym, and some of the stores we launched into such as Net-a-Porter and Browns London, did not even have active wear categories and we were introducing a new concept to them. Since then, the market has really opened up, and it really confirms and supports what we have been doing at LUCAS HUGH for the last 4 and half years.
Are there any catwalk designers who inspire your fitness fashion creations, and if so, what do you like to borrow from them?
Personally I love to wear Celine, Givenchy and Valentino, but none of these really influence our designs. At LUCAS HUGH, we really have developed own signature style. We focus on being original and unique – that is what makes us different.
As active wear continues to converge with high fashion and women are choosing to wear the clothes both inside and outside the gym, do you think comfort needs to suffer?
Absolutely not, comfort is key with active wear that is why women want to wear it through the day. At LUCAS HUGH we use heat-sealed seams, which prevent chafing and feel completely seamless to the wearer. Comfort should never suffer.
How does your cultural heritage influence the LUCAS HUGH look-and-feel?
I am originally from New Zealand (although I have been living in London for 13 years now!). I grew up in a country that was very competitive with sport and fitness – it was a way of life. It was very normal to play multiple sports and spend the day in active wear – although the choices were not very attractive!
What’s your brand’s ethic around performance materials, and the types of fabrics which go into the LUCAS HUGH signature pants?
It’s really important to me that the fabrics we use are the best performance fabrics for the activity they are designed for.
I will not compromise on quality, because I believe when you are working out its more important to be wearing something that supports you in that process and is also good for your skin – even our printed fabrics are on moisture wicking, breathable, UV resistant fabrics.
Fitness On Toast writes a lot about active travel; do you have a favorite holiday spot and what helps you stay on track when abroad?
I have just got into fitness holidays – It sounds exhausting, but it’s a great way to completely switch off. My favourite holiday spot is definitely New Zealand, but a closer place is 38 Degrees North in Ibiza .
I WAS WEARING:
Lucas Hugh Core Performance Stretch-jersey Leggings, similar HERE
Lucas Hugh Core Performance Stretch Jersey, HERE
Lucas Hugh Knit stretch wool-blend jersey jumpsuit, similar HERE
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