Austin Women unveils yoga pants line - ässanas

“We wanted to go beyond the basics,” said founder Leah Morelos. She and designer René Geneva came together on the idea about a year ago. “We’ve been challenged, as women who love to express our personalities through our clothes, to find a fashionable outlet when we work out.”

ässanas has launched its first season with snug-fitting boot cut and flare leg pants. Each style boasts unique elements like ruffle skirts and special prints. “I’ve found, in the athletic realm, that you either sacrifice fit or fashion,” said Leah, who owns and manages Sunstone Yoga Austin.

Next season’s designs include leggings, hot yoga shorts, and capris. “This is really season zero for us,” said René, a fourteen-year veteran of the fashion industry whose designs have made it to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on several occasions. “We designed and produced several prototypes so that we can get feedback from our customers.”

Customers are an important part of the design process for ässanas. “Not only do we want feedback on cut, comfort and style, we want to give people the opportunity to design their own pants,” explained Leah. ässanas is launching a Kickstarter in mid July, which includes an innovative way for customers to provide design feedback for season two.

As yoga becomes more fashionable, so does yoga fashion. The ässanas founders know firsthand the appeal of hanging out in athletic apparel all day. “I found that I was wearing my yoga pants to the studio, the grocery store, even out to eat,” said Leah. ässanas' goal is to design pants that will transition from one activity to the next, without compromising style or comfort.

ässanas