Michelle Watson, founder, CEO, creative director of Michi
Michelle Watson created MICHI in her Williamsburg, Brooklyn apartment in 2010 after growing tired of the uniform she was seeing across all fitness platforms. She decided to create directional, high-performing activewear that could be worn both in and out of studios.
She pioneered the fashion-forward athletic wear aesthetic with artfully placed mesh inserts, strappy sports bras and sophisticated cut-outs. These details, inspired by superheroines, ‘90’s European designers and nature, have become MICHI signatures.
Taking it one step further, she wanted each piece to have personality and the power to evoke confidence in the wearer.
Michelle’s background in competitive sports like golf, badminton and ski racing, combined with New York fashion industry experience, were the perfect ingredients for actualizing her design intentions. The result is a brand that blurs the line between activewear and streetwear.
Inspired by superheroines, boudoir lingerie, and her mother’s stylish 1970’s Jamaican and British wardrobe, Michelle designs MICHI for the female who embodies a multifaceted lifestyle and whose wellbeing is a top priority.
MICHI believes in empowering women and they realise that women have unique strengths and superpowers worth celebrating. They design collections that enhance performance and ignite self-expression. The MICHI woman does it all— and they provide the armour, so she can make it happen.
MICHI is designed by active women who know the importance of breathability, eight-way stretch ability and quick dry fabric. Their styles are tested by real women who are as diverse as their workouts. We are known for our three-inch waistband—designed to hold everything in because the MICHI woman doesn’t hold anything back.
MICHI is meant for movement and enables spontaneity and you can pair up their activewear with everything from sneakers to statement jackets. Whether it’s morning meditation or a post-workout drink, styles can be mixed, matched and layered, and the MICHI woman is always dressed for the occasion.
MICHI is committed to quality and they are based in Toronto because we believe in the excellence and integrity of our Canadian manufacturers. Our factory takes pride in their craft and executes all designs with attention to detail and precision. They are also advocates of mindful consumption, so every garment is constructed to last.
MICHI believes in conscious production and all of our leggings and bras are created with sustainable, Bluesign approved textiles. Since 2011, we have produced
MICHI in a female owned factory, just outside Toronto, where employees are compensated with a living wage and given the option of flexible hours in order to support working women.
I discovered MICHI when I was in Hong Kong, I had to do a yoga photoshoot and at the time I got give so many different brands and styles to try on and I had to choose just one for the photoshoot.
The first thing I noticed when I tried MICHI on was the quality of the material along with it’s flattering style.
I am naturally curvy so sometimes I find it hard to even fit in to some activewear styles, however I felt that when I was wearing MICHI that it kept everything tucked in just nicely!
I think MICHI is great for all body shapes and sizes. I have found that whenever I wear MICHI that it does make me feel confident and that it’s perfect to wear when practicing my yoga classes and then heading to the coffee shop afterwards.
I love how MICHI has been created by #GIRLBOSS Michelle Watson and the inspiring story behind MICHI and because wearing MICHI makes me feel good, I am now super excited to be collaborating with MICHI and sharing them on Spa it Girl too.
Right now my Go-To MICHI look is their Anti-gravity Bra in Indigo and their Stardust Crop Legging in Indigo too. They have so many designs that even I found it hard to choose just one look to share with you.
To check out MICHI full activewears collection visit: www.michiny.com
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Photographer: @KyleBarneyPhotography