Apparel Online India Magazine May 1-15, 2019 | Page 10

WORLD WRAP
S W E AT I N G I N S T Y L E
Yoga apparel taking the
world by storm
T
he global yoga apparel market is
expected to post an incremental
growth of over US $ 3.4 billion during
2019-2023. Rising popularity of yoga
in most parts of the world owing
to the growing awareness among
people towards fitness and wellness
is a major factor that is fuelling the
growth of the market. In recent years,
yoga, the ancient form of workout and
meditation that originated in India,
has gained a significant popularity
globally, especially in North America.
With expanding study on this field,
yoga is being received equally
well by housewives as well as by
different businesses.
The global yoga apparel market is
highly fragmented, though major
growth is coming from Western
markets with the presence of multiple
competitors. Key market competitors
of this domain are today emphasising
more on business expansion to make
their presence felt in developing
regions which are still less explored
for this segment. Hectic work
schedules and increasing health
issues have been compelling people to
opt for different sports activities as a
form of exercise. In line with growing
popularity, the manufacturing of
innovative yoga apparel is also
catching up like a fire worldwide.
With the help of technology and
enhanced features, the global yoga
apparel market is expected to mask
a notable CAGR of 11.3 per cent
during the projected period. Various
end-users of yoga apparel use
the products for different types of
workouts and prefer technologically
advanced products.
“The booming travel and tourism
industry will significantly contribute
to the growth and expansion of
the global yoga apparel market.
Use of improved raw materials in
yoga apparel has become one of
the major distinguishing factors
ESSENTIALS
Lululemon’s
original fabric,
Luon, with a
high proportion
of nylon
microfibre as
opposed to a
more typical
polyester
blend, was
trademarked in
the US in 2005.
Many of its
newer fabrics
are branded
and geared
toward specific
uses.
among key competitors. The key
competitors must comply with strict
environmental regulations in various
countries for the supply of raw
materials,” said Sharan J, a Lead
Retail Goods and Services Research
Analyst from Technavio.
Stretching up
The journey of yoga apparel started
long back in 1970s, when people
used to wear leotards, unitards or
yogatards, which are still marketed
by Marie Wright Yogawear. But the
problem with these apparels was
that you really couldn’t go to the
bathroom without peeling the whole
thing off! And then the era of yoga
capri was born. The first pair of yoga
pants came in for women to wear at
the studio and Lululemon sold it in
1998. They were a mix of nylon and
lycra-synthetic elastic fibres that
provided the stretch and softness
needed to manage all those sweat-
inducing contortions during a lengthy
session on the mat. The pants filled
a niche for yogis, who were simply
looking for a higher-end alternative
to plain cotton leggings.
Lululemon’s original fabric, Luon,
with a high proportion of nylon
microfibre as opposed to a more
typical polyester blend, was
trademarked in the US in 2005. Many
of its newer fabrics are branded
and geared toward specific uses.
Luxtreme is a moisture-wicking,
four-way stretch fabric that’s meant
to fit like a second skin. Nulux is
a compression fabric meant for
sweatier workouts. Silverescent is
sold as Lululemon’s stink-conquering
technology, using silver bonded to the
surface of fibres to stop bacteria from
reproducing. A T-shirt made from the
material costs US $ 68.
Two decades later, they’ve conquered
the closet, even for people who
never stepped inside a yoga studio.
10 Apparel Online India | MAY 1-15, 2019 | www.apparelresources.com