Confession: I am not an activewear buff. I don’t wear leggings — ever — and the only kind of sneaker I’ll slip on is either sparkly or a pair of Vans so worn-in, I lean on them to contrast all of the ultrafeminine threads I’m typically drawn to.
So when I learned in mid-January — at the most top-secret editor preview there ever was — that Beyoncé was launching a brand-new, 200-piece activewear line with Topshop chairman Sir Philip Green, I asked: Why? In a market that’s so overly saturated with “athleisure” launches, why would Queen Bey go for something so basic?
But as I rifled through the endless racks of budget-friendly tank tops, shorts, and (of course) bodysuits, I immediately understood that her new venture — which ranges in price from $30 to $200 — was anything but basic, starting with the name: Ivy Park. The first half grabs your attention immediately because — hello! — Blue Ivy. Who doesn’t know about the world’s most famous offspring? The second half — Park — is a throwback reference to Bey’s childhood days spent running in a local park with her father. Everyone knows nostalgia tugs at the heart. Good move, Bey.
ome of the more literal workout pieces, like the logo mesh tee, are stamped with the number 4 on the back. Why? Because “4” plays a major role in the pop queen’s life: It’s the date of her birthday, hubby Jay Z’s birthday and the date of their wedding anniversary. Say it with me now, “awww.”
And the honeycomb print on those street-style ready bombers? A nod to her loyal Beyhive, natch.
The star piece of the collection is a logo-emblazoned black bodysuit trimmed with red-and-white sporty stripes. Bey caused a social media frenzy when images of her fiercely posing in it — hair flowing, toned legs gleaming — were revealed in March to announce the brand’s launch. I studied the photos and wondered: Can I pull a Beyoncé?
he short answer: No. As soon as I slipped into that amazing $50 bodysuit, I knew I could never rock it on its own, not even in the confined, protected spaces of a gym. So I added the $52 Ivy Park joggers — the softest, I might add — with a pair of lo-top Chucks, and bam! Despite being stripped of my signature sparkles, I felt like I could run the world (or at least go for a run without sacrificing an ounce of style).
And therein lies the subtle yet brilliant genius that is Beyoncé: I will never be her — none of us will — but one day in her threads allowed me to channel my inner girl power.
Written By Anahita Moussavian
Source:The New York Post
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