NEW YORK — Vilasinee Bunnag hopes that her new yogawear line gives women some ease in dressing for their classes.
Called Bua, the Thai word for lotus, a symbol of peace and wisdom, the line includes studio-appropriate clothing such as tops with snug waists to make sure they stay in place during head and handstands, and pants that can be easily pulled up to knee-length during class.
“In yoga clothing, I like them to be flowing and feminine,” said Bunnag, 36, a Bangkok-native who launched Bua in the summer after working in corporate philanthropy at a financial services company. “My body has changed quite a bit over the years, so I make sure my clothes are also body-conscious along with functional.”
In yoga, she said, it’s important for the instructor and the exerciser to see the shoulder blades and knees to make sure the poses are being done correctly. So, many of the items in the collection are made to expose those key body parts. Bunnag also chooses not to work with chemically treated fabrics such as Quick-dry or Coolmax, but instead with high-quality cotton blends and French terry that naturally absorb sweat and moisture.
“There’s an important fashion element to these clothes,” she said. “When I wear cut-off sweats to the gym, I just don’t feel good in them, which in turn makes it hard to enjoy the workout.”
Also included in the line are zip-ups and a couple of comfortable, form-fitting dresses for the walk home from yoga. The Bua line wholesales from $12 for a pair of armwarmers to $55 for a top and pants set.
Bua is sold in a variety of spas and gym boutiques, including It’s Yoga in Hollywood, Calif., Bodd in Greenwich, Conn., and 4 Yoga in Zurich, Switzerland. Bunnag said she is keeping sales expectations small for the first year at $150,000.