Issue 03: What’s Your Style?

Feel At Ease Style With Ease With Sustainable Bodysuits

In the mid 1800’s a Parisian trapeze performer, Jules Leotard, designed and created the infamous leotard.  Over the years, this garment has conceptualized into the fabulous comfy body suit, that we are all familiar with today.  This life saving, figure flattering one-piece delight stays in place with crotch fasteners. It is flexible, functionable and forgiving with the advantage of not bunching up around your waist or untucking itself, at the most inappropriate moments.

 The body suit comes in many different styles as well as sustainable materials, like modal, which is a plant-based textile, semi synthetic fiber made from the beech tree pulp, as well as Peace silk, which is also known as Ahimsa silk.  Silk fabric does not emit toxins and is considered to have very low water footprint. Ahimsa silk also has great natural hypoallergenic qualities.

 This attractive piece of clothing is a combination of being chic and athleisure. That is why the likes of renowned designers, Andre Courreges, Azzedine Alaia and Donna Karan, helped place the body suit on the fashion map for both men and women.  

 Tina Leung and I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting at a pop-up shop in downtown Hong Kong.  She is the owner of Annibody, a rare bodysuit-focused clothing brand in Asia.  Her wonderful bodysuits are constructed for comfort and longevity with the women’s body and happiness in mind.  “Our designs explore the beauty of women’s curves with usage of textiles that are timeless and practical” Said Tina.

Kimberly is chatting with Tina Leung.

 Kimberley: Tina, how did you come up with the name of your brand?

 Tina: Annibody is named after the word “any body”— I wanted to build a brand to celebrate beauty and freedom of female bodies, regardless of shape and size. Everything we created is about your body. Because of that, I started with bodysuits which are made to elevate curves of our bodies comfortably.

 Kimberley: What is the most important aspect of your company?

 Tina: High quality fabrics and materials, exceptional craftsmanship and thoughtfully designed details.

 Kimberley: Where did you find the inspiration to create your own body suits?

 Tina: Mother Nature and the lifestyle of the modern women surrounding me.

 Kimberley: Tina, what has been your proudest moment with Annibody?

 Tina: It was when I heard from our customers, that my products have made them feel more confident in their body.

Kimberley: What was your biggest fear starting up Annibody?

Tina: It would be the failure to visualize what was in my mind into something tangible. Self-love is difficult, growing up I have seen countless woman who are constantly struggling to embrace their natural beauty. Annibody is about learning to love your body unconditionally, I could tell from the beginning that it will not be easy to communicate these values without a solid foundation. That’s why I put a lot of effort and time in finessing the designs and visual identity of Annibody. I constantly educate and encourage my team to create with our core values in mind, all the products and designs root from the same belief. [Kim Suggestion – consider adding a bubble/call-out with her core values.]

Kimberley: What advice would you personally give to entrepreneurs and young designers starting off in their own business?

Tina: Stay authentic and develop your own style. Be patient and keep up with the good work, your effort will pay-off eventually.

Kimberley: How would you like women to feel when wearing your Annibody body suits?

Tina: Comfortable, well taken care of, good, beautiful, and free.

Kimberley: What are your thoughts on sustainability in clothing?

Tina: I believe that brands, big or small, can take initiatives to improve their entire supply chain to minimize their carbon footprint and production of waste. Every step counts. [Kim suggestion – Bubble/Call out with, “here are the things we are doing to contribute to a greener(or carbon free) world – List 3-5 of the most important things]

Kimberley: What materials are your body suits made from?

Tina: We prioritize usage of biodegradable, sustainably grown or recycled materials using low-impact processes, such as modal, organic cotton and peace silk. We upcycle fabrics from our production to create new styles to reduce waste to the environment.

Kimberley: What does fashion styling mean to you?

Tina: Fashion styling is self-expression. It represents your core values and identity.

Kimberley: What projects are you currently working on with Annibody?

Tina: We are working on our 2021 collections with more variety in products that all share the same purpose. Which is to bring comfort and confidence to all our customers. We are also developing more eco-friendly fabrics to support our sustainability objectives as a slow fashion brand.

Kimberley: Do you have any lasting tips to give our teens about how to wear bodysuits?

Tina: Wearing a bodysuit is much simpler than most think. Our bodysuits are engineered for comfort and everyday use. All comes with snap closures for a hassle-free wearing experience. Start with styles or colours that you would normally wear, so that you can get used to the feeling of a bodysuit. You will then be ready to go!

Annibody has a wonderful community of women who support, share stories, and empower each other about self-loving and how to embrace a better sustainable lifestyle.

Annibody also offers hands-on advice on styling and personal growth.  Their goal is to help support body positivity and how you can become a better version of yourself.

https://annibody.com/