Lara Mead, co-founder of fitness range Varley, on swapping high-pressure London for the Los Angeles lifestyle
Get your gymwear fitspiration from go-to brand Varley
What was the inspiration behind the brand? Varley was born out of a shared love of exercise. My husband Ben and I came up with the idea on a trip to Los Angeles. At the time we were both working in high-pressure jobs and felt inspired by the Californian way of life and how forward-thinking it is when it comes to exercise and health. We wanted to create a label that embodied that.
Favourite workout When I’m in London I train at the Workshop Gymnasium in Knightsbridge. In LA I switch between pilates at Speir Pilates in Santa Monica and running.
Best healthy-eating spots In LA I love Little Beach House Malibu. Its raw vegetable rolls and tuna poke bowls are delicious. When I lived in London, &Feast in Barnes was my go-to for healthy salads.
Varley founder Lara Mead
Green juice or coffee? I’m a coffee girl but since moving to LA I make superfood coffee with Sun Potion Yin Power herbal blend, coconut oil, cocoa and almond milk. It’s a delicious start to the day.
Motto Comparison is the death of happiness.
Where do you see the brand in five years? We have innovations in the pipeline that we hope will establish Varley as a high-performance, science-backed brand. Next month we will launch Skin by Varley, a range of high-tech yet gentle, plant-derived products that address concerns such as the effects of environmental and tech-generated stressors, and pollution.
The Varley pink sherpa, £140, and the brand’s antioxidant-packed Skin by Varley Illuminating Protecting Shield, both varley.com
Who do you look to for fitspiration? Trainers such as Melissa Wood in New York, Lauren Kleban in LA and Lee Mullins in London. And the mums I know, who juggle all the balls and still make time for self-care.
Go-to beauty products Skin by Varley Illuminating Protecting Shield, an antioxidant-packed face cream that protects skin from the harmful effects of blue light emitted by smartphones and computers, is going to be our hero product. I also love Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, Oribe hair products and By Terry make-up.
Ultimate temptation Tequila on the rocks with a splash of fresh lime.
Favourite varley piece Everything in our seamless collection. And our baby pink sherpa (£140) – I can’t take it off!
varley.com
Affordable yet technical and stylish enough to wear in the juice bar post-workout, H&M’s gymwear range is our latest high-street hero. Now you can feel extra smug with its Conscious sportswear range, made from ethically sourced materials.
Leggings, £17.99, H&M, hm.com
Blok, the coolest gym around, is opening a new spot in London’s Shoreditch this month, with classes such as boxing and ‘Bloksculpt’. This is a place to see and be seen.
You may have a personalised handbag, necklace and tracksuit, but have you got monogrammed gymwear? Enter lusted-after activewear line Lucas Hugh, worn by the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Gwyneth Paltrow. From £40, plus £20 for monogramming, lucashugh.com
WE LOVE: FITNESS TRACKER, from £49.99, Misfit, misfit.com
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.