Refresh Your WFH Life With Eco-Activewea
It’s the second month of social-distancing and we’re masters at living like a mullet (business on top, sweatpants for our bottoms). However, we can’t sustain on Zoom calls and selfies alone. We need to actually move in those sweats, we need to be able to transition back to “normal” without breaking our already strained budgets. We need to not ruin our already fragile planet, when we do it.
Puja Barar, the designer behind Satva Living, became a master at creating the ultimate work-from-home (WFH) comfort clothes before COVID-19. Her eco-friendly athleisure wear collections readily flow between yoga class and lunch meeting with a no-fuss color palette, sophisticated silhouettes and subtle design elements like a half-back cut out that gives you just enough room to breathe through a tense email exchange.
She’s also woven sustainability into the manufacturing process, partnering with Suminter India Organics to institute farming and production practices that are beneficial to the environment as well as the people with whom she works.
And this year, Puja is increasing her efforts, offering 5 percent of her proceeds to ‘Rona relief.
“We at Satva hope that you are finding sanity and peace in the wake of the incredibly chaotic world right now,” she said. “We believe that with 100% human effort, we can 100% help. That’s why we are extending our donation to City Harvest, an organization that seeks to recover and distribute food in New York City, ramping up its anti-hunger efforts amid COVID-19.”
She chatted with us about a few other healthy business/healthy living tips, and what the world may look like, when we all get out of here.
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UWM: What's one self-care practice that you must-do daily to maintain balance/sanity?
Puja: Daily workouts definitely keep me positive and balanced. It could be a long walk and listening to my fave music, some stretching/cardio at home, or a class at Orange Theory.
Yes, we have to get off of the couch more. As an eco-friendly small business, what challenges have you encountered with our recent global health shift (a.k.a. COVID-19)?
It is really stressful and we’re impacted as much as other small businesses. We’re dealing with canceled orders, delayed shipments from the factories; and nervous over future orders. However, there is always light at the end of the road.
I feel this will pass too and we will come out stronger. I do feel more people will embrace comfort wear that is ethically made, as they will focus on their health and well-being as a result of the Coronavirus, as well as the environment.
The environmental shift is clear — animals are roaming about more, now that people are indoors. Have you experienced a recent shift in overall consciousness and the desire for farm-to-retail, among your peers/customers?
In the wake of a global pandemic, people want to reconnect, spend time with people they love — after a prolonged period of time away from family, being human centric is the key. People are in desperation to get back outside, breathe fresh air and be in nature.
Humankind is about getting back to earth, back to loved ones, back to the things we love. Now more than ever customers are thinking about the world, climate change, the environment and our impact on the planet.
Over the next 2 months the results will begin to surface on how a world slowdown has made a change to the planet.
Now more than ever people will be buying organic, plant-based dyes and clothing that’s not harmful to the earth. Customers will still be hesitant to spend money on new clothes for different activities, meaning they need looks that are comfortable, and work for a variety of situations — work or play — so choosing wisely will be key.
We’re definitely seeing those connections between what we put in and on our body — our personal health — and the environment. What's on your travel wish list, once we're able to move between countries more freely?
We had planned a trip to Kenya and Tanzania this summer, which we canceled due to COVID-19. So I do hope to go there soon, as early as next year.
I think we’ll be doing more road trips this year and avoid air travel.
Love that idea. Who is your number one favorite fashion icon of all time?
Sabyasachi, Indian fashion designer.
Ah, the one who did Priyanka Chopra’s bridal lehenga. So gorgeous!
You engage in climate action daily through your business, on a macro level; but in your “free” time, what does your day-to-day climate action — on a micro level — look like? Composting, recycling, vegan?
LOL! We live this lifestyle.
I have always been a vegetarian all my life, never eaten meat or any animal products and now pretty much a vegan. My family follows the same lifestyle. We eat organic produce, look for NON GMO labeling and avoid anything that is unhealthy.
We recycle daily, and are mindful of our resources and avoid excess use. We’re always telling each other to not waste water, electricity, etcetera. We try to avoid use of leather. We drive a hybrid car and use our own canvas bags for grocery shopping. We love cooking/baking at home and explore different vegan/vegetarian recipes. We don’t like to waste food, we make enough that we know will be consumed.
We live mindfully.
All day. Favorite "make-it-happen" song on your playlist right now?
“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.
OMG yes. It’s totally business up front, party when the beat drops :)