Adam Selman wants to make something that matters. It might sound pompous to put that label on a collection of raunchy-sexy-cool workoutwear, but Selman has built this business to work on every level. All of the stretch pieces are made of recycled materials. Everything ships out in eco-friendly packaging. The size range accommodates many types of bodies, sizes 00 to 20, and a new series of rainbow-rhinestoned sport tops and leggings will benefit House Lives Matter, an organization that approaches problems like HIV/AIDS and social justice issues affecting the ballroom community—so these sports bras and leggings really deliver a message.
But do they deliver on the style front, too? Well, let’s say this: It’s practically impossible to thumb through a rack of fluro bike shorts with French-cut seaming and not smile—even harder if you’re actually wearing the shorts. Cheeriness and cheekiness are Selman’s bread and butter, and thank heavens he is bringing that irreverence to the activewear market, which has so long been about ruggedness and regimens. For his second collection, he is elaborating on the silhouettes he introduced earlier this year—push-up sports bras, leggings, nylon windbreakers, and a bandeau crystal dress—while bringing new patterns and colors into the mix. A scattered rose print is about as lovely as it gets; the rest of the collection is made up of in-your-face neons and crystals. Needless to say, this isn’t workoutwear for wallflowers; they can buy their dusty pink leggings elsewhere. These are clothes for women happy to wear the acronym “A.S.S.” on their chests. Don’t they deserve something kitsch for ClassPass?