Coolum business Empress Athleticus brings women together through activewear line

A Sunshine Coast-based activewear brand is bringing back a “dying trade” in order to offer women top-quality clothing to make them feel good about themselves.

A lawyer who was inspired to start her own fitness clothing line has brought together a team of seamstresses to bring her dreams to reality.

Based in Coolum, Empress Athleticus is only six months old and is already making a name for itself among fitness fanatics.

Co-owner Kristy Perdriau said she always wanted to start a clothing brand as a “side hustle” to her day job as a practising lawyer.

She teamed up with another local businesswoman, Brittany Lewin, to create a fitness clothing suitable for women of all sizes.

Empress Athleticus owners Brittany Lewin and Kristy Perdriau have started up a new activewear clothing line being made on the Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods

The duo has hired a team of 11 women specialising in design and sewing which allows for all the products to be created locally from start to finish.

“People nowadays buy so much stuff overseas because it’s cheaper and easier but it doesn’t mean it’s good quality,” Ms Perdriau said.

“Our quality control is really high because it goes through everyday normal people that check this stuff because they’ve designed the stuff, they want to make sure it’s perfect.”

Empress Athleticus owners Brittany Lewin and Kristy Perdriau (centre) have started up a new activewear clothing line being made on the Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods

Ms Perdriau said her team had been able to use their talents, many of which were “dying trades” and produce high-quality fitness clothing for women.

She said in today’s society women felt the pressure to always look good, even when they were exercising, but the clothing options out there were limited.

“When I was pregnant, I couldn’t find anything to wear and when I wanted to lose weight there was also nothing for me to wear,” Ms Perdriau said.

“Society wants us to lose weight but there wasn’t anything suitable to wear”.

Ms Perdriau said Empress Athleticus offered a wide range of clothing sizes to suit everyone.

“We’re all about being all inclusive and not judging people for where they are on their journey,” she said.

The fitness clothing brand is also looking at expanding its range in the future, and has recently started selling underwear as part of its product line.

Originally published as Coolum business Empress Athleticus brings women together through activewear line