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Sporty sisters Dana and Hala Zubari are helping athletes in the region stay comfortable, active and true to their culture in Arabian-inspired sportswear.
The young Bahraini designers have always led an active lifestyle, whether it’s competing in marathons, taking up yoga or simply running through the villages of Bahrain.
With sports playing a big part in their everyday lives, new-mum Dana and London College of Fashion graduate Hala teamed up to set up Tru Active Bahrain and create a stylish line of leggings and sports bras.
Hala, 24, the designer behind the brightly-hued apparel and currently resides between London and Bahrain, said: “I’m very passionate about sportswear and have been for a very long time.
“I was involved in so many sports at university including soccer, cheerleading, gymnastics, surfing and volleyball, that I used to live in my active wear.
“However, a lot of it would be quite uncomfortable and because I ended up paying so much for the items I felt I had to get my money’s worth, so I endured the pain and made sure to wear them.
“Since I graduated from fashion, love sports and am always spending money on active wear, it made sense to create a collection that not only looked good but was comfortable too. Since I had some time off in Bahrain, I thought this was the perfect time to set up Tru.”
Hala introduced her idea to her sister, Dana, who completed last year’s IRONMAN 70.3 Mallorca, Spain … and the project took off.
Dana, 30, a Tru Active sales associate by day and mum to Layla Khonji by night, said: “Hala had a vision and she had planned everything out. She called me one day and told me what she had been thinking about and I offered to fund her idea on the spot.
“Was it a risk? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely! I’ve always been my sister’s number one fan and in ways it’s pushed her to become who she is today, and it’s brought us closer than ever.
“My sister and I also have always wanted to wear sportswear with an Arab twist and we also wanted to create something for local athletes. We have something for everyone.”
Hala’s uniquely-designed Super High Band leggings, for example, which sell at BD35, feature an inside pocket and special panels for moisture absorption.
The venture is a true family affair. The sisters decorate the leggings using a combination of Arabic calligraphy written by their father, Khalid, and prints compiled from oil paintings drawn by their uncle Hisham. His artwork can also be seen on the supportive sports bras priced at BD15.
Hala said: “Our sportswear is really one of a kind. Each piece has a little touch of Bahrain and we’re not like leading brands that are produced for the masses. Each style is unique and once we sell out that’s it, we won’t be stocking the same again.
“We want people to enjoy the touch of exclusivity to the product. We’ll never copy what’s already been done and always try to think of the next best idea.”
Women aren’t the only ones walking away in hot workout gear as the duo has also designed compression tops for men with mesh panels to keep the wearers cool, priced at BD20.
They also offer colourful yoga mats in different prints priced at BD30. Hala, believes this move is just the beginning. She said: “We’ve received a lot of response from men, so we’re hoping to expand the range in our next collection. We have some pretty great things planned in the pipeline!”
The girls had first started selling reversible swimwear on their social media sites Instagram @truactivebh and on Snapchat at truactive. However, since launching the active line last month, they say they have been overwhelmed with positive feedback and sales. They have also been displaying their products at markets and sporting events such as the market at Al Azizia Birds Kingdom, the AWA’s annual Snowflake Craft Fair and during the recent Ironman 70.3 Bahrain.
Dana said: “The business is growing for sure, we’re so lucky to have such an international friend base which literally gives us the support from all over the world. We have friends sharing our page, tagging us in posts and it’s honestly the most heartwarming feeling seeing people wanting to see us succeed.
“In our opinion they are the most comfortable sport bras and leggings that you can buy today and, fortunately, our customers agree. People are always coming back to buy seconds!
“Nowadays, everything is just so mass-produced that it’s nice to wear something that gives you a little touch of Bahrain.”
