STYLE FILES: SS20

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Style Files: SS20 in mag.

IN OUR BAG | WHEN YOU TAKE ON THE DAY

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag and see In Our Bag | When You Take on the Day in mag.

NYFW SS20 | INDONESIAN DIVERSITY - JULIANTO

NYFW is always a hectic time and for the past few days, we have enjoyed seeing all the fashions that will be available during SS20. A number of shows present one designer; however, there are always those that run as a collection of designers which really allows you to maximize seeing a number of looks by multiple designers typically within the one hour showtime!

One of our favorite collective designers that we enjoy seeing season after season is Indonesian Diversity. This show included 4 designers that present their lines during NYFW. The designs within this show were diverse as some had street forward looks, others were oriented to a night out look. Today, we fell for the looks created by glam designer, Julianto at Spring Studios.

From sweet looks such as this layered and ruffled look that added shimmer to the runway to a number of rich hued looks and dramatic draping - there was visual texture throughout the looks that he presented during his portion of the show. Another key look that stuck in our mind was this dress and extended vest ensemble. Clearly, they can be worn together; however, when broken a part, this extended vest can also be worn with a tank and denim look, a sleek catsuit or a myriad of ways. The detailing on the embellished vest lends itself to enhancing whatever it’s being paired with. The two tone nature of the dress with the vest is also a nice textural play as well.

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HOW TO DRESS TO STAY COOL THIS SUMMER

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag or see How to Dress to Stay Cool This Summer in mag.

ROCK THIS LOOK DURING LABOR DAY WEEKEND

As you head to the beach, resort or rooftop, we suggest this attire.

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Rock this Look During Labor Day Weekend in mag.

WHO ARE THE BEST DRESSED FOOTBALLERS

Thanks to social media, footballer’s lives are more documented than they ever have been before and for those who really want to show off, it’s the ideal spotlight. Fashion is the perfect way to be creative and to reveal your true style and for these football stars, it’s an opportunity they’ve taken seriously. These are some of the most stylish football players who can’t get enough of showcasing their wardrobe.

Sergio Ramos

Spanish captain Sergio Ramos seems to get more stylish with every passing year and now that he’s embraced his thirties, he’s taken on a more sophisticated wardrobe, from tailored suits and waistcoats to stylish chinos and a smart casual look. 

Serge Gnabry

If there’s one person leading the next generation of style conscious sports stars onto the scene, it’s Gnabry. It’s easy to see how growing up in a world of social media has influenced Gnabry’s impeccable style. From his casual streetwear to moments where he’s donned a full suited attire, Gnabry always looks Instagram-ready. 

Hector Bellerin

Arsenal’s right back, Hector Bellerin, is arguably one of the most recognised footballers when it comes to style in the Premier League. It’s fair to say that he’s curated a look all of his own, where high-end fashion meets casual streetwear, and he’s not afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to his clothing which makes him both a darling for fashion blogs and football blogs at Infogol. 

Timothy Weah

There aren’t many athletes who could pull off a fashion shoot with Hypebeast but Tim Weah is one of the few who can. Weah is yet another member of the social media elite who is comfortable dressing with a photo opportunity in mind and he’s certainly one of the best dressed footballers of the moment. 

Romain Gall

Gall has the perfect mix of stylish influences on his side, having grown up in Paris, playing for Malmo in Sweden and representing the USA internationally. For a 23-year-old, he’s incredibly well-travelled and that has played a part in his curation of a unique and inspiring wardrobe. 

Tom Davies

Everton’s midfielder Tom Davies has found a way of taking his work attire off the pitch and into everyday life, with a laid-back style that’s most comfortable but stylish, and always eclectic. 

Gregory van der Wiel

One of the most fashionable players in the sport is Gregory van der Wiel. From rocking old Manchester United shirts to rocking a smart-casual look when hanging with his kids, the Dutchman has found a way of pulling off every look as if he was born to wear it. 

David Alaba

Alaba never seems to get it wrong when it comes to fashion. It can be all too easy for a look to veer from innovative to tacky, but Alaba always executes every style opportunity to perfection and with the perfect balance of creativity and thought. 

Kevin Trapp

From donning Dior to hanging out with Beckham at Paris Fashion Week, Trapp is at the epicentre of fashion, making him the most stylish goalkeeper in history. Germany’s goalie has the perfect mix of classic and on-trend style that works perfectly. 

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GETTING TO KNOW 5 OF THE MOST ICONIC BASKETBALL SHOES OF ALL TIME

Basketball sneakers have a very storied history that spans decades upon decades. Did you know the first basketball sneaker made strictly for performance was made almost 100 years ago? Today, with the help of Sports Domain Lab we’re taking a look at the history of basketball shoes and five of the most iconic basketball models of all-time.

Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star

What many consider the first “official” basketball sneaker, the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star made its debut way back in 1917 when it was released by the Converse Rubber Shoe Company.  The Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star got its name in 1921 when it was named after Chuck Taylor. Taylor was a salesman for the brand who also happened to be playing for Converse’s semi-pro All-Star basketball team. Chuck Taylor needed a durable shoe and gave Converse some suggestions on how they can make that possible. Thankful for Taylor’s input, Converse agreed to the enhancements, made the shoe and named them after him. What makes this model even more iconic is the fact that it became the first basketball shoe casually worn off the court.

Pro Keds Royal

The Pro Keds Royal made its debut in 1949. Like the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star, this model was also constructed using a canvas upper and gum sole. The shoe was worn by notable players such as George Mikan and Willis Reed throughout the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Known for being an affordable sneaker that was also durable, the sneaker may look simple in appearance, but it had all the qualities and traits to support your game on the court. Unlike the Converse brand, Pro Keds did not manage to remain relevant after all these decades. That being the case, you can still find the brand at select retailers throughout the globe. Down, but not out. W could not have expected anything less from Pro Keds.

adidas Superstar

The adidas Superstar made its debut in 1969. By the 1970s, the Three Stripes model was being worn on the court by superstar players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Superstar stood out thanks in large part to its leather upper and distinct rubber shelltoe. The shoes were so highly coveted that the biggest hip hop artists in the world began wearing them casually during the 80s, shout out Run-DMC. As you can imagine, soon thereafter the adidas Superstar became a fashion staple in the urban community. It’s safe to say that the adidas Superstar has had a bigger impact off the court than on.

Puma Clyde

The year was 1973. Walt “Clyde” Frazier and the Knicks had just defeated the Lakers to win their second championship. That very same year, Frazier had signed with Puma for $25,000 a year. His on-court shoe of choice, the Puma Clyde. According to Frazier,  the Puma Clyde was based on the Puma Basket and borrowed details from the Puma Suede. Just like Clyde Frazier, the Puma Clyde redefined street style with it’s smooth aesthetic. It was the perfect mix of style and substance. It was also the first sneaker that was designed to make a fashion statement, hence the suede upper, a trait rarely seen on basketball models back in the day. Even after all these years, Puma continues to release new iterations of the Puma Clyde. Talk about withstanding the test of time, eh?

Nike Air Force 1

Is there a more iconic basketball silhouette than the Nike Air Force 1!? At the very least, it has to be a top 3 candidate, right? It’s hard to argue that any other sneaker has had as much of a crossover into street culture than the Nike Air Force 1.

The Bruce Kilgore-designed model is said to have been released in at least 2,000 colorways since the shoe made its debut back in 1982. When the shoe was made, it was considered a peak-performance basketball shoe. The original Air Force 1 was a high-top that came with an ankle strap, a full grain leather upper and of course, for the first time ever in a basketball shoe, Nike Air technology. Soon after debuting on the court, the AF1 growth spread throughout the globe like wildfire. We’re now in 2019, and sneakerheads are STILL feening over certain Air Force 1 releases. That’s wild.

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CATCHING UP WITH VANESSA WILLIAMS FOR STORY TIME

Last month, we had the chance to catch up with Vanessa Williams who partnered with Kellogg’s and Penguin Random House for Kellogg’s Feeding Reading Program, encouraging childhood reading at Kellogg’s NYC. Vanessa read to the kids through her support with Kellogg’s Feeding Reading program with Penguin Random House. She read one of our favorite books growing up, The Pokey Little Puppy. We took a moment to ask her a few questions as we are inspired by the first African American Miss America, recording artist, Broadway star and actress.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment that you realized that you wanted to be this triple threat from being the First African American to be Miss America, being a recording artist as well as an actress – was it always a plan to showcase your talents across various verticals?

VANESSA WILLIAMS: Growing up music was a requirement in my household. The arts were revered and my parents who were music educators never told me to get a “real job”. They supported my love for the arts and to major in musical theater that combined my talents.   A Broadway career was the goal. All the rest of my career has been a huge blessing that I never dreamed of. 

AM: Looking back on the legacy that you have created, what is the takeaway that want others to have in looking at what you have accomplished throughout your career?

VW: My career has been an example of being brave to take unexpected opportunities when they arise and then being prepared to do your best when given those opportunities. You can plan all you want but life always gives you challenges that you that force you to grow and change your path 

AM: The Pokey Little Puppy is a book that we enjoyed growing up – how did this partnership with you and Kellogg’s as well as Penguin Random House come about and why did you want to participate in this?

VW: As an author, mother of 4 and the daughter of two teachers, I know the importance of reading in order to  fuel kids. It helps you think and learn and grow your imagination. I read to my kids as they were growing up and The Pokey Little Puppy was one of our favorites. I also showed the kids the picture of my new Great Dane puppy Roscoe Rider that I just got this week. Plus, I’m also working on a children’s book so when Kellogg’s reached out it was a no-brainer.

AM: Can you tell us about Feeding Reading Program and why this is so important to you? 

VW: The Kellogg’s Reading Feeding program gets   books into kids hands to fuel their minds and bodies, which is so important to me. Last year alone, more than 400,000 books were distributed to kids and families across the country.

It’s easy for parents to participate, too. Buy a specially marked Kellogg’s product to earn a credit for one of 125 Penguin Random House books across multiple reading levels. Books also can be donated to a school or library. Visit www.FeedingReading.com to  learn more about the program.

AM: What was it like to be with your mom and reading to the children yesterday and what do you hope that the children got from being able to participate?

VW: I came alone to read to the enthusiastic kids entering 2nd grade next fall. I asked lots of questions of course about puppies , pets and the many creatures that are featured in the book. The highlight was hearing  the children ooh and aah about my new puppy 

AM: What projects are you working on that we can share with our readers to keep an eye out for?

VW: I have a new children’s book coming out soon by Sterling Publishing called “Bubble Kisses”, just launched a fashion line on HSN, recording a new album for BMG records and have a few scripts in the works for future projects that I’m producing 

AM: You always look phenomenal, what are 3 beauty/skincare products that you swear by that you can share with us?

VW: Ziip microcurrent portable device helps keeps my skin toned. I use it before any appearances on camera.  Eye lash extensions are my new favorite go to for instant killer eyes and the HydraFacial does wonders for pore cleansing and rejuvenation.

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THE 9 LIST WITH TRINITY FATU

Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and The 9 List with Trinity Fatu in mag.

THE 9 LIST

Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The 9 List in mag.

ROCK THIS LOOK WHEN YOU'RE HOME WITH FRIENDS OVER

Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Rock This Look When You’re Home With Friends Over in mag.

STYLE FILES | RESORT

Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Style Files Resort in mag.

STRANGER THINGS BRINGS BACK ICONIC 80s SNEAKERS

It’s true what they say; fashion is a recurring cycle. No matter how outdated you think something is, everything comes back into style eventually. It may take 10, 20 even 40 years for styles to return, but make no mistake about it, what was once hit, then rejected will soon enough be hit once again. Look no further than the choice of sneakers worn by your favorite kids from the Netflix hit-series Stranger Things.

Set during the mid-80s, bright colors, pastel tones, bold patterns, and big hair were all considered to be fashionable and “in”. What we’re here to talk about though, are the choice of footwear your favorite cast member wore during the show. Did the sneakers from the show withstand the test of time? Do people still wear some of those sneakers? Are those sneakers once again considered stylish? Better yet, how do the actual sneakers worn on the show stack up to the recently released Stranger Things x Nike collection?

The cast from Stranger Things were definitely versatile when it came to their choice of footwear. Numerous footwear brands can be seen on the feet of your favorite cast members throughout the series.

Take for example Will Byers. Will was often seen rocking Three Stripes silhouettes such as the adidas Campus. The adidas Campus was originally called 'Tournament' in the early 1970s and was renamed 'Campus' in 1980. Close to 40 years later and adidas continues to deliver new (and classic) colorways of the model.

The fan-favorite Dustin Henderson was often seen wearing a sneaker known as the K-Swiss Heaven S. Although currently not on the brand’s website, the K-Swiss Baxter SP model is one that is very similar to the pair Dustin wore on the shoe. Just like the Heaven S, the Bater SP comes with 5 stripes branding on the side panels.

Mike Wheeler on the other hand was all about that Puma life back in the mid-80s as he was often seen rocking the Puma Roma model in a clean Black and White color scheme. As of today, Puma continues to release their classic Puma Roma silhouette.

Lucas Sinclair was seen wearing Saucony during season 1 of the series. Although we don’t
know the exact model, it looked very similar to the Saucony Jazz Low Pro.

Steve Harrington opted to go with the classic Nike Cortez model most of the time. It’s safe to say, that this Nike model withstood the test of time, don’t you think?

Lastly, Eleven was usually spotted wearing the iconic Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star. What makes this even cooler is the fact that Eleven has also stated that she loves and wears Converse in real life as well. It goes without saying that the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star remain as relevant as ever in 2019.

So how do these sneakers stack up and compare to the Stranger Things x Nike collection? All the sneakers opt for subtle branding and tonal finishes. It’s evident that 80s fashion (or at least fashion from the kids in Stranger Things) consisted of bold and colorful apparel paired up with Black or White tonal and subtle sneakers. Balance appeared to be essential during that decade. That very some aesthetic can be found in today’s fashion trends.

Often times when we wear bold or colorful sneakers, we tend to balance it out by pairing it up subtle muted colors on the apparel and vice versa. It’s all about balance. The Stranger Things x Nike collection gives us just that by offering not one, but two collections consisting of the OG Pack and Hawking High Pack. So whether you’re looking for a muted pair that helps balance out you loud and colorful t-shirt, or a bold sneaker to compliment your Black shirt, the Stranger Things x Nike collection has just the pair for you.

What makes the collection so good? Any one of these sneakers from the Stranger Things x Nike collection could have been on the show and none of us would have even looked at them funny since they’d fit right in. What makes the collection even better? Any one of these sneakers could be spotted on someone’s feet in 2019 and they’d all still be considered fashionable and trendy. They’d fit right in. Many sneakers from the 80s utilized subtle, yet timeless designs. The Stranger Things x Nike collection proves that classic never goes out of style.

Source: Sneaker Breaker

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STYLE FILES: PRINTS

Read the June Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Style Files: Print in mag.

IN OUR BAG WHEN THE DAY IS JAM PACKED

Read the June Issue in Athleisure Mag and see In Our Bag When The Day is Jam Packed in mag.

STEP INTO THIS LOOK FOR A DAY PASS AT THE CABANAS

Read the latest June Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Step Into This Look for a Day Pass at the Cabanas in mag.

STYLE INSPIRED WITH BRAD GORESKI

We loved Brad Goreski when we first met him on BRAVO's The Rachel Zoe Project as he stepped into the world of styling and being her assistant, he continued on with the network's It's A Brad Brad World and appearing on a number of shows including being a co-host on E! Fashion Police for a number of seasons and during Awards Season on E! Live From the Red Carpet where he gives the inside scoop on who he dressed, who is wearing what and making predictions on what designers we will see on the red carpets. His career has included being a Creative Director at Kate Spade and dressing a number of coveted celebs including Emily Ratajkowski, Demi Moore, Rashida Jones and Jessica Alba to name a few. He's known for rocking dapper style and never being afraid of color and patterns for his clients or himself.

With summer officially starting this month, we took some time to talk about how he got into the industry, how he is inspired to dress his clients, the importance of sunglasses - summer's accessory and last month's MET Gala looks that he loved this year.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you know that you wanted to be in fashion and ultimately know that you wanted to be a stylist?

BRAD GORESKI: I think I knew from a very young age. I always loved fashion and putting looks together for myself and for my mom. I was always so aware of what everyone was wearing that I feel like this is kind of exactly what I was supposed to be doing. But the real turning point is when I was in college and I was looking for a summer internship and I landed at one in Vogue in NYC and the rest is kind of history. I just knew that it was where I wanted to be. I feel very lucky that I have been able to work in an industry that has been so welcoming to me for many many years now and I feel very very lucky!

AM: How do you get inspiration when it comes to styling your clients?

BG: Social media is such a great place to get inspired. There is everything from the past, present and future available to us there. I follow a variety of different people and different pages. It’s so fun to be able to see something like I noticed an old image of Marilyn Monroe the other day in a great black lace blouse, pencil skirt and heels and just the whole vibe of the setup! I said to myself, “I have to do this with one of my clients this summer.” It was just a really beautiful summery look and there are so many great trends this summer as well. It’s just really fun to keep up with these trends on social media.

AM: What are 3 trends this summer that we should be thinking about in terms of creating our dynamic look?

BG: Well one of the big trends that I’m loving in terms of the summer for men and for women is really bright bold color. Whether that’s a bright red or a royal blue or even something as crazy as a bright yellow. Thinking about bold color is one of my favorite trends! You can do that even in suiting with a blazer or even in shorts.

The second one is florals – florals are everywhere right now whether it’s a bigger floral or more of a micro floral – a smaller one – I think florals for men and for women is a nice summery way to kind of add a little bit of interest to your wardrobe.

Of course, number 3 is always having a good pair of sunglasses. I’m so happy to be partnering with the Vision Council to be talking about sunglasses and protecting your eyes this summer and also the best ways that you can purchase a pair of sunglasses and the steps that you can go through to be thinking about when you are buying a pair of sunglasses. You always want to be protecting your eyes and buying those that protect yourself from UVA and UVB rays. You want to look for that little sticker that we’re all familiar with on your sunglasses that let you know that they protect you from this. You also want to be able to have the right comfort and fit. You want to get a pair of sunglasses that really suits the shape of your face. Then you need to look at your lifestyle. What do you do throughout the day? Are you super active, are you running errands, do you run around with your kids? Next, what’s your style? Are you looking more towards a Marilyn Monroe style that is more vintage and has a cat eye or are you looking to be a little more classic and looking to do an aviator?

AM: These are great points and there are some people that opt not to wear sunglasses! What do you believe are some of the misconceptions that they have that results in them not wearing them?

BG: I think that there are a lot of myths out there about sunglasses. I think that some people believe that if it is cloudy outside, that they are not getting any UVA/UVB exposure. Whether it’s cloudy out or not, you are always at risk of UVA/UVB exposure. I think that also when people look at their sunglasses and see that it has a super dark lens, they think that they are getting the ultimate in protection. The only way that you know that you’re getting protection from UVA/UVB protection is when you see that little sticker that says that. You want to look for it for sure. I think that The Vision Council says that whenever you’re out during the day that you should be protecting your eyes with a pair of sunglasses.

AM: These are great points that we should always be mindful. As someone that I know travels quite a bit, what are 3 things that you tend to carry with you in your carryon when you travel?

BG: Very good question because I am taking off on a flight this afternoon! So, snacks – I always have to have them with me. I like to have my own with me because I like to eat on the airplane and it gets me through. I always have some bars, a little treat, I like to carry some almond butter with me. I always have earplugs with me as well because I like to have just quiet. I also like to have my headphones with me as well. The last flight I took, my head phones fell out of my bag in the backseat of the car and I really had to do some centering work. I was like, what am I going to do for 6 hours?

AM: That is the worst!!!! We have been fans of yours for a long time and love seeing you on E! Live from the Red Carpet. As the Met Gala taking place last month with its focus on Camp, what were your 3 favorite looks from this year’s carpet?

BG: Ooo that’s a good question! I am going to say that I loved Cardi B in Thom Browne, Katy Perry in the Moschino chandelier and I love Emily Ratajkowski in Peter Dundas I believe.

IG @MrBradGoreski

PHOTOS CREDITS | 1st pic BRAVO | 2nd pic SharpShooter |

Read the June Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Style Inspired with Brad Goreski in mag.

You can hear Brad Goreski's interview this month on our show, Bungalow SK which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multi-media podcast network! Make sure to subscribe to find out when the episode drops. You can hear it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and wherever you enjoy listening to your favorite podcast.

THE NINE LIST

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ATHLEISURE MAG | #42 JUN 2019

This month, our cover is graced by Michelin starred Chef and Restaurateur, George Mendes. We talk about his restaurant Aldea as well as his pop up concept currently at Chefs Club Counter in NYC. In addition, we interview 4 x NBA Champion, John Salley to talk about how he came to basketball, his forray into the wellness and health industry as an investor and gifting for Father's Day. We also interviewed Celebrity Fashion Stylist, Brad Goreski to talk about his style inspirations, summer's perfect accessory, being a Co-Host on E! Live from the Red Carpet and his thoughts on the Met Gala! We also interviewed, fitness icon, Denise Austin about being an innovative in the industry, her success with her shows and what she is currently focused on. In addition, as our third year of being media sponsors for PRIDE, we included imagery from PRIDE ISLAND with performances by Madonna, Amara La Negra, Teyana Taylor, Grace Jones and more. In addition, we have a number of our monthly features showcasing athleisure culture.

Read the June Issue of Athleisure Mag.

8 WAYS TO AUTHENTICATING LUXURY

The personal luxury goods market is forecast for 3-5% annual growth through 2025 reaching $365 billion according to the 2019 Bain Luxury Study. At the same time, a surge of shoppers is turning to online sellers for the high-end brands of watches, necklaces, handbags and accessories they love, but at a great deal.

Lately, however, luxury brand authenticity has come into question, as the counterfeit market booms, consumers get fake goods and brands file lawsuits against sellers.

One ecommerce merchant has found a niche solving this problem by partnering with brands themselves to ensure authenticity. ShopWorn sells warrantied and authentic luxury goods that have only been tried on in a retail store and never pre-owned. Shopworn execs, father and daughter duo Richard and Elana Birnbaum, have offered consumers tips to protect themselves from unknowingly purchasing a fake.

Courtesy of ShopWorn we found out a few tips that you should keep handing when authenticating luxury goods. 

Authenticate the seller: Do some background research. Does the website tell you where products come from? Check if the website is transparent in its sourcing strategy.

New or pre-owned? It helps to know whether your purchase is pre-owned. If that’s the case, be aware there’s no guarantee the item is 100% authentic, as it may have after-market parts added to it.

Shipping policy: If 2-day shipping is unavailable, the website may not have your item in stock and you may be in for a very long wait.

Chat with customer service: A phone number should be listed prominently on the website. A professional customer service representative should pick up the phone and answer any questions you may have.

Make yourself a product expert: Do your homework on the brand and familiarize yourself with the brand’s details. Maybe there’s a specific country of origin imprinted in each label. Many brands include serial numbers and specific details in the logo. If any of these are missing or altered, that’s a sure sign of an impostor. And look for a warranty.

Know the mark of quality: Educate yourself on the look, feel and sound of high-quality pieces versus less expensive versions. For example, a true mechanical watch movement has subtle but distinct differences in look and sound. All gold items, whether watches or jewelry, will have a hallmark denoting gold purity.

Is it refundable? Look for a return policy on the site or whether the item is “final sale.”

Is it genuine? Some third-party sellers have hired on-staff luxury “authenticators” to demonstrate a commitment to authenticity. Be wary of these claims. First, there are no formal accreditation processes or best-practice standards in this field. Also, there’s no guarantee a well-made fake can get past the experts.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.