In the Studio
Radley London X EYO: In conversation with Lucie, founder of the sustainable activewear brand
23 June 2022
Whether you’re hitting the gym or heading out for a stroll, you deserve the activewear that makes you feel like you. Only better. Get inspired to move more with our new capsule activewear collection- made in collaboration with EYO. A sustainable brand dedicated to providing you with the best workout wear, founded by the fantastic Lucie Halley (pictured above left).
We met with Lucie to chat about why she chose to work with Radley London, and much more. From the life-changing accident that inspired her to start her own brand, to the importance of keeping sustainability at the centre of a business.
Welcome to the Radley London family. We’re so excited to work with you. What are you most looking forward to people seeing from the Radley London x EYO collection?
“Thank you - I’m SO excited to be joining the family. Radley London have built such a strong community of loyal customers who appreciate beautifully crafted items that have purpose in their wardrobes. I’m over the moon to be able to share my designs with this amazing community.
“Everything in the collection has been designed to make women feel confident, supported and inspired. From our premium Italian fabrics to our carefully selected ethical factories, this collection offers high-quality, timeless garments that were built to last for years, not months.”
“Everything in the collection has been designed to make women feel confident, supported and inspired.”
What is important to you when considering a collaboration with another brand?
“It’s so important as a new independent business to partner with companies that hold sustainability to a high standard. I was very impressed with Radley London’s sustainability practices and admire the fact they have chosen to collaborate with a company like EYO as this shows their commitment to growing and learning from the sustainable community.“
What do you think makes great activewear?
“I’ve been designing active and loungewear for almost a decade for large companies in America. In that time I’ve learnt the craftsmanship that is needed to create items that make you feel like you, only better.
“This is a feeling that is needed in activewear more than any other category because working out can be a vulnerable time for us. We sweat, we bend over, we squat, we make faces and I think we can all relate to the fact that we often need motivation to get out the door to even start these movements. Which is where well designed activewear comes in. It can make the difference between a 15 minute workout or an hour’s workout. When you feel confident in your clothes you feel confident in yourself no matter what face you’re pulling and how much you’re sweating. That's why finding a pair of leggings made from material that supports, lifts and smooths - combining that with a flattering design that fits around your body and doesn’t fall down - is the winning ticket.”
“I was now part of a group of women who were all working out for a reason... And from this community of brave resilient women, EYO was born.”
What led you to start your own brand?
“A few years ago while living in New York, I fell backwards down an unlit fire exit. I was left with two broken feet, dislocated toes, a broken kneecap and every ligament torn. I spent two months unable to walk or leave my apartment. But as the weeks went on, I went from bedbound, to a wheelchair, to a cane. This is when I started the long road to recovery. I joined a gym for the first time ever and spent the next few years working on rebuilding my physical and mental strength.
“The beautiful thing that came out of this trauma was the conversations that started happening with other women. These women started relating to my accident, sharing the hurdles they have overcome or are currently going through whether it be a physical accident like mine, divorce or childbirth. I was now part of a group of women who were all working out for a reason.
“Like most of these women, my recovery is an ongoing journey. Daily exercise, yoga and meditation have become essential to my rehab and most importantly, my mental health. And from this community of brave resilient women, EYO was born.
“We all have a story to tell and, like me, have faced numerous obstacles along the way. It requires an immense amount of strength and perseverance and that is the message I want EYO to pass on. It’s a call to overcome whatever’s stopping you. A call to tell you that you are not alone, and that you have it in you to keep going.”
Where does the name EYO come from?
“Our tagline from the start was sustainable activewear for Everything You Overcome - E, Y, O. I loved the sound of it (pronounced eye-oh) as IO is also the name of the fourth largest moon in our solar system. I’ve always felt very connected to the moon.”
“I have made sure that every aspect of EYO has the planet and its people in mind.”
Why is sustainability so important to you?
"I always knew I wanted my own business and was inspired to create a change in the fashion industry. I knew that I had it in me to build a company I was proud of - one that matched my personal morals and wasn't creating waste. This meant creating high-quality, timeless garments that were built to last for years not months. By producing in small batches and never mass quantities, we increase quality and eliminate waste. I have made sure that every aspect of EYO has the planet and its people in mind.”
Tell us a little about sustainability at EYO
“I am proud to have partnered with Italian brand Aquafil, the creators of ECONYL® yarn, as I was adamant about finding fabric that was actually helping clean up our oceans and landfills and not adding to the problem. So it’s good for the environment and for you, as it also provides muscular compression to aid faster recovery after every workout. All our garments are packed and shipped in biodegradable bags and we only work with partners who focus on sustainability, ethical practices, and fair wages. I’m committed to being fully transparent with EYO's community, always.”
What do you like to include in your fitness routine?
“As my injuries were all below the waist, I incorporate a lot of lower body strength training into my workouts such as weighted lunges, squats and deadlifts. Running is my go-to cardio, which the EYO legging was made for. It's the only legging I’ve had that doesn't fall down when I run, and it also perfectly transitions into a wonderful yoga legging. I try to do some yoga every day to keep my ligaments loose and mind calm.”
Every day is different for you, what do you look for in a handbag that can keep up with your busy lifestyle?
“I go for either a classic design that’s big enough to fit everything I need for work, or colourful and small enough that it only fits the absolute essentials; a phone, bank cards and lip balm. No in-between sizes as I find myself carrying pointless items like an old banana and socks ‘just in case’ there's a banana/ sock emergency.”
Can you choose a favourite style from our latest collection?
“I love the sustainable Radley Responsible range. Each item goes so well with the Radley London x EYO collection. For me the Southwood Lane backpack is going to become my new best friend, perfect for my business meetings as well as going to and from the gym.”
“I want to look back and feel proud that I took the route that scared me most and know that I was brave.”
What has been your highlight of working with Radley London?
“The photoshoot in London. It was such a fun day with a great team. I loved seeing our model Gia wearing the range. That’s a real highlight as a designer, seeing your creations come to life on someone. It was also great to be able to have my photo taken and feel so comfortable on set - we laughed a lot!”
What’s next for EYO?
“My main goal with EYO is to become a real competitor within the activewear industry. I want us to be the sustainable option you can choose over the other big brands. We’re focused on expanding our product range and growing the team. We are also working on a lot of in-person events, so stay tuned.”
Do you have a personal mantra that you live by?
“Since I can remember I have always lived by this question “what makes the better movie?”. It’s helped me make some of the best decisions in my life and overcome many hurdles. I want to look back and feel proud that I took the route that scared me most and know that I was brave.”
It’s definitely a movie we want to watch, Lucie. Thanks so much for chatting with us.
Make sure to look at the full Radley London X EYO collection. And see what’s new in our Radley Responsible range.
