In an industry often driven by trends and exclusivity, Parvathy is charting a different path with Zaecy, her inclusive athleisure brand that celebrates every body. With a mission rooted in the belief that fashion should empower, not restrict, Zaecy is designed for all shapes and sizes, ensuring that movement is a joy, not a burden. As a champion of body positivity and holistic well-being, Parvathy combines style, health, and happiness in every piece of Zaecy’s collection. In this exclusive interview, she opens up about her journey, the inspiration behind her Made-to-Move mission, and how Zaecy is breaking boundaries in the world of athleisure.
1. What inspired you to create Zaecy, and how does it reflect your personal journey with fitness and wellness?
I started Zaecy because of our strong background in manufacturing and my experience in branding and marketing. It just felt like a natural step. As a woman, I know firsthand the challenges we face when it comes to choosing athleisure wear, especially when so many designs are form-fitting. I wanted to create something that strikes the right balance between style and comfort while being inclusive. Our garments are made for the whole family, encouraging a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Like many things, the inspiration to start Zaecy came from personal experience. My body went through fluctuations, based on different occasions, and I became fixated with achieving the ‘ideal’ figure. Ultimately, I learned that true wellness is about understanding and respecting our own bodies, not focusing on how others see us.
For me, fitness has always been about balance – staying healthy and living a happy life go hand in hand. I think it’s important to listen to your body and do what feels right for you. Personally, I love classical dance, but I also mix in gym workouts, kickboxing, and walks. Each of these activities gives me something different, both physically and mentally. It’s all about finding what works for you.
I’ve come to realize that staying healthy in your own way is the key to happiness. It’s not about following trends. It’s about building a lifestyle that reflects your values and needs. Zaecy is here to support that journey.
2. Zaecy operates at “the intersection of fashion, function, and sustainability”. How do you balance these three elements in your design and manufacturing process?
Fashion, functionality, and sustainability are deeply interconnected. People want to feel good in what they wear, but they also want practicality and the confidence that they’re making eco-friendly choices. We put a lot of focus on getting that balance right by really listening to what our customers need.
Take our leggings, for example. We’ve designed them with belly support for women dealing with bloating, but we’ve made sure they still have all the stretch and comfort you’d expect. For men, we’ve added little things like pockets in tank tops, making them even more convenient for everyday wear.
We’re really intentional about using fabrics that are not only comfortable but also environmentally friendly. So when you wear Zaecy, you’re not just feeling great – you’re also making a choice that’s good for the planet. Plus, we’re always looking for new ways to incorporate sustainability, like our upcycling projects where old garments get turned into something new, like tote bags.
3. The athleisure market is growing rapidly, especially in the region. What do you believe sets Zaecy apart from other athleisure brands?
A lot of the industry still caters to a certain image of what an ‘athletic’ body looks like, but we know that health and fitness come in all shapes and sizes. Social media has set these unrealistic standards, but everyone’s body is unique, and only the individual knows what works best for them. We focus on what really matters – staying healthy, because that’s the key to happiness. We want to empower people, especially women, to embrace their wellness journeys by offering them comfortable, high-quality fabrics in styles and colors they love. Our designs come from extensive research and development, and we’re always thinking about how to make our clothing feel as good as it looks.
We also prioritize creating a positive, healthy atmosphere with everything we do. Fitness isn’t just about working out – it’s about mental wellness, self-love, and finding joy in every step of the process. When you embrace yourself fully, it makes it easier to appreciate everything and everyone around you. That’s why our clothing is designed for all activity levels, from a relaxed yoga session to an intense workout. We see Zaecy becoming a part of every household, supporting people on their unique journeys – just like family.
4. How do you define the “deeply individual experience” Zaecy aims to offer its customers in their health and fitness journeys?
Everyone’s health and fitness journey is personal. It’s shaped by their own goals, preferences, and experiences, and that’s really at the core of what we do – offering a “deeply individual experience” to each of our customers.
For us, that means creating products that cater to all kinds of body types, lifestyles, and activity levels. As mentioned before, our collections are designed to be versatile, so whether you’re hitting a high-intensity workout, doing yoga, or just having a laid-back day, our garments are made to look great and work with your routine.
But it’s not just about the clothes. We’re all about building a real connection with our customers. We stay active on social media, at events, and through community initiatives so we can hear directly from our audience. Their feedback plays a huge role in shaping our designs and helping us create collections that really click with what they need.
We also like to empower our customers with more than just clothes. We offer educational resources and inspiration to support their individual goals, whether through blogs or personalized video consultations with our designers. It’s all about making sure everyone feels encouraged to pursue their health goals at their own pace.
5. Can you walk us through the design process behind your collections? How do you ensure that the products are both stylish and functional?
We want every piece in our collection to really meet the needs of our customers. So, we begin by understanding their lifestyles and preferences, paying close attention to what people want in athleisure wear – whether it’s comfort, durability, or versatility. We’re always keeping an eye on the market too. Whenever a new brand launches something, we ask ourselves, “How can we stand out?”
To answer that, we dive into a lot of research, both online and offline, to stay on top of trends. But our R&D team is also constantly working to find ways to innovate. What really sets us apart, though, is how we take inspiration from nature and bring it into our designs. We put a lot of thought into every detail, from picking breathable, high-quality fabrics to making sure the fit is just right. We also add practical features like supportive waistbands, hidden pockets, and moisture-wicking fabrics, so our clothes perform as well as they look.
6. Sustainability is a core value for Zaecy. What sustainable practices or materials do you incorporate into your products?
Sustainability is something we take seriously at every step, from the design process to the final product in our customers’ hands. It’s really at the heart of everything we do.
One of the key ways we stay sustainable is by using eco-friendly materials. We focus on fabrics like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and bamboo, which are not only better for the planet but also deliver the comfort and durability our customers expect. These materials help reduce our environmental impact by cutting down on harmful chemicals, conserving water, and repurposing waste.
We’re also mindful of waste in our manufacturing process. Our partnership with Classic Fashion in Jordan plays a huge role in this. They’re involved in initiatives like solar projects, water recycling, waste management, and energy conservation. Together, we work to reduce material waste and make sure we’re sticking to ethical production standards. And we’re really excited about our upcycling efforts and helping create a circular economy. We’re committed to making choices that are good for both our customers and the planet.
7. As athleisure evolves, what innovative trends in fitness and fashion are you keeping an eye on, and how do you foresee them influencing future Zaecy collections?
Athleisure is definitely evolving, and we’re keeping a close watch on some exciting trends that are changing the game in fitness and fashion. One of the biggest ones is the demand for versatile, all-day activewear that can take you from your workout to the rest of your day without missing a beat. We see this as a chance to mix performance fabrics with more elevated designs.
Sustainability is another major trend that’s pushing innovation in the athleisure world. More people are looking for eco-friendly materials and circular fashion practices, and we’re really diving into that by exploring more recycled, upcycled, and biodegradable fabrics. We’re also committed to reducing our environmental impact. We’ve already added “smart” fabrics to our collections – things like moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and even odor-resistant technologies – so our customers get garments that aren’t just stylish but also full of high-performance features.
Inclusivity is something else we’re really focused on. As athleisure becomes more diverse, we’re paying close attention to designs that cater to all body types, making sure everyone feels comfortable and confident in what they wear.
At the end of the day, we are all about staying ahead of these trends, and we’re excited to keep bringing innovation into our collections.
8. How important is the community aspect to your brand? Are there initiatives or collaborations with local fitness movements that Zaecy is part of?
The community aspect is absolutely central to Zaecy’s identity. We really believe that fitness and well-being aren’t just solo journeys – they thrive when there’s support, encouragement, and shared goals. That’s why we’re so focused on building a strong, vibrant community in the UAE, where we can connect with our customers in a meaningful way, creating relationships that go beyond just selling products.
We’re involved in all kinds of collaborations with local fitness movements, gyms, and wellness organizations. Over the past year, we’ve participated in events like the Dubai Fitness Challenge (Dubai 30×30), Dubai Active Show, and the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi. We’ve also hosted several events at gyms and wellness centers across the UAE. These partnerships help us create inclusive spaces where fitness enthusiasts can come together, share their experiences, and inspire each other. Plus, these events give people a chance to experience our products firsthand. By being a part of these events, we hope to inspire our customers to chase their health goals while feeling connected to something bigger.
About Parvathy Achyuth
With a background in branding and design, Parvathy has channeled her expertise into creating high-performance, breathable activewear through her brand, Zaecy, which merges fashion, health, and sustainability. As a gold-medalist in Mass Communication and a researcher who presented on digital ads at ICACCI, Parvathy combines her academic achievements with practical experience in the inclusive activewear industry.
About Zaecy
Zaecy is a Dubai-based athleisure brand committed to promoting a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle through innovative and sustainable fashion.