Bikini weather is already here, but it’s never too late to start up your toned and trimmed plan, especially when it means you can sport new pieces from the Michi activewear line.

Designed by Calgarian-born and Toronto-based Michelle Watson, Michi is a hot new luxury active line for those in need of some sartorial inspiration to enter a gym. This athlete-come-designer is a Parsons alum and has worked for New York City fashion heavy hitters such as Kate Spade and Ralph Lauren before branching out on her own. Once you get a glimpse of these tanks, bra tops, shorts and leggings you’ll be wondering how you ever showed up to spin class in your camp counsellor tee from 2004.

Q: Why did you choose to design activewear?
A: I noticed a lack of edgy, feminine, performance activewear in the marketplace that stylishly crossed over into everyday clothing. I dance and workout a lot so I really needed to create myself (and the rest of the world) a new athletic wardrobe.

Q: What do you like to do to be active?
A: I dance, ski, snowboard, golf, run, do martial arts as well as water sports.

Q: Describe the MICHI girl
A: She’s a confident, sexy and stylish girl with an edge. She leads an active lifestyle, as she marches to the beat of her own drum. She is a trendsetter, and others look to see what she will do next.

Q: Where do you find inspiration for your work?
A: I get inspired from vintage lingerie and pin-up photos, historical fashion, superhero costume, blog photos, movies, street fashion, and from travelling and immersing myself in other cultures.

Q: How would you explain your personal style?
A: Boudoir Rebel chic – usually with some ethnic influence. I’m drawn towards edgy, romantic or ethnic style. I now wear MICHI every day to test the garments, plus most of the bras and leggings easily mix with my everyday clothing.

Q: What was your first memorable fashion purchase?
A: Italian ankle biker boots with metal studded straps. I loved Slash from Guns n’ Roses and he was my inspiration. No one in my school had boots like these. I loved them and thought they were the bomb. I even made a spectacle of myself in them when I stumbled, slid, skidded and wiped out in the most dramatic way in front of my class at school because of the angled heels.

Check out where to buy MICHI in your city at www.michiny.com and follow on Twitter @MICHI_New_York.

By: Daniela DiStefano, Toronto

Follow me on Twitter @ddeestefano.

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