Love and sustainability is the concept behind sportswear label Teeki, which aims to brighten up gym classes with its eco-friendly yoga kit

IF you are bored of black leggings and want to liven up your look, funky sportswear label Teeki could be a good place to turn.

Built on a concept of “love and sustainability”, the California-based fashion brand specialises in eco-conscious sportswear and is proving just as popular on yoga mats as it is on a night out.

Although it launched in the US a few years ago, Teeki is now building a following in the UK and Europe thanks to Middlesbrough entrepreneur Ashley Wem and his business partner, mother-of-two Hollie Christie.

Ashley, who also runs The Empire in Middlesbrough, says: “It’s a new project we started this year. Teeki is an American company and we’ve got part of the UK franchise. Hollie is into yoga and came across Teeki in the US last year. We’re interested in fitness, health and recycling and it seemed quite unique. It was quite expensive to buy from America by the time you pay the shipping and tax, so we thought if we sold it in the UK, people could afford to buy it at a reasonable price.”

Designed to appeal to the mind, body and spirit, the clothes are made from breathable fabric and inspired by a love of nature.

While they may not look it from the surface, they are all made of 79 per cent recycled plastic. The plastic bottles and food containers are collected from community recycling centres in California. The bottles are then sorted and cleaned before being washed, crushed and chopped into flakes known as pellets. The pellets are then melted down and processed to create fibre which is eventually transformed into fabric.

As well as using recycled fabric, Teeki also prides itself on using an eco-friendly printing process – avoiding the waste and water contamination associated with traditional screen printing.

Given the boom in recycling and increasing interest in the environment, Ashley believes it is something that will appeal to customers here. He has had sales from countries such as France and Germany, as well as the UK, and is hoping for further sales throughout the EU.

“I think everybody is a lot more eco aware now, not just with clothing, but recycling at home. Everybody does that now,” he says.

“Everybody is thinking ahead and thinking of the planet and if you can get clothing that is being recycled and used again that has got to be a good thing, especially when it’s something as cool as this.”

The range is suitable for all kinds of outdoor activities as well as yoga, pilates, gym sessions, surfing and dance, and the designs are updated every three months.

The leggings, which cost £45, are versatile enough to be worn for fashion or sportswear.

“The technology, the range of colours and designs are second to none,” says Ashley.

“Even if they weren’t recyclable, people would want to buy them because there is nothing else like them. They are a quality garment you can wear day or night.”

The leggings come in a range of sizes and there is also a range for children aged three and upwards.

Ashley and Hollie have been invited to California where the clothes are made and are hoping to meet the founder of Teeki, Eleanor Roosevelt, later this year. They have also signed a deal with the Canadian lifestyle brand IPWN Yoga and have a stand booked at the OM Yoga Show in London in October.

Although Hollie studied at the London College of Fashion, it is a totally new venture for Ashley. “It’s a completely new direction and we’re hoping to build on it,”

he says.

Although the Teeki UK range only features leggings and shorts at the moment, there is a possibility they will expand in the future.

There isn’t a line for men just yet, but Ashley says: “Watch this space”.

  • For further info, visit teekiuk.com