Sometimes you purchase something and it’s as if the stars align, the angels sing, and everything is right with the world. This was how it was with my first soiree into the gorgeous world of Bimby + Roy. It’s no secret I am a keen lifetime member of the ’round bottom society’ which makes buying intimates as glorious as these, tricky. However, slipping my derrière into the sensationally soft set from Bimby + Roy was a dream come true for this thick thighed, peachy bottomed mama! Soft, stretchy & wireless comfort in glorious designs is just what the sisterhood need isn’t it?
Borne from the dreams of two sisters who lived their childhood years in the Fiji Islands, Bimby + Roy just oozes love. The name stems from the birthplaces of their children, the logo is written in their fathers handwriting and the garments are ethically made in Fiji in the first solar powered facility in region.
Bimby + Roy are all about comfort and versatility, and the beautiful (and fast drying) material means you get to decide whether you wear your intimates’ in bed, in the water or as your daily underwear. IMHO they’re too splendid to hide under your clothes!
Designed in Australia, all the delightful patterns are sublimated on Bimby + Roy’s material, which is one of the most environmentally friendly printing processes. The paper used during the process is frequently donated to Fiji recycling plants, pushing Bimby + Roy to the top of my list. In February 2019, with the help of the Australian Government, Bimby + Roy’s manufacturer opened a child care centre attached to the manufacturing facility. Fees are subsidised by the employer which allows mothers and fathers to have their children close by during working hours. How incredible is that!! There really is no need to head anywhere else for your intimates, as Bimby + Roy tick all the boxes!
Gorgeous on, steeped in kindness and great for the planet, these are intimates you need in your life! Liv xx
YOGi Active may be the new kid on the block, however Director Simone has big plans for this beautiful brand designed to inspire, empower and motivate all women to be more active and live a healthier lifestyle. I need all the help I can get and am all over this. Minimalist and stylish activewear that can be worn all day is right up my street and I cannot wait to kit myself and my tween out! I caught up with Simone, the creator of YOGi Active this week and had a chat about how YOGi was born.
Simone Marshall – YOGi Active
Hi Simone, thanks so much for sharing your story with us. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Simone Marshall and I am the proud mother of 3 teenage (1, actually a tween!) girls. I am an active, healthy 48 year old. I’ve always wanted to be a strong role model for my girls by living a well- balanced, active lifestyle. For me this involves eating well, regular exercise, balancing work (as best I can) and taking time out whenever possible.
What was it that inspired you to create YOGi Active?
My inspiration for starting YOGi was my teenage girls. 2 of my daughters are only a year apart but have very different body types. One is an elite athlete with a very petite frame, who found it impossible to buy the activewear and clothes that her peers were wearing. My other daughter is more inspired by fashion and therefore looking and feeling good in her activewear is very important to her. Hence YOGi was born.
Delivering performance infused with fashion, our collection blends flawlessly into any wardrobe – Simone Marshall – Director
Has YOGi Active been impacted this year with more people training and staying at home?
We postponed our launch due to COVID. We felt it was insensitive and wanted to wait until things settled down a little.
Thankfully, training at home hasn’t stopped people from buying activewear, and they’re continuing to look for options that make them feel & look great!
We create ready to wear garments that are made to last – Simone Marshall -Director
I am not your average size 10. In fact I am the proud owner of a chunkier thigh and a *much rounder bottom. Will I be able to wear the gorgeous YOGi Active collection?
Yes you will! Our sizing starts at size XXS (12yrs) – L (size 14+). Our collections are available in matching sets and our separates are all trans-seasonal; this means that here at YOGi we will always ensure to bring our customer the most comfortable yet versatile pieces, ensuring that they can effortlessly transition from workout to everyday wear.
I love that YOGi Active is designed in Australia, can you tell us why that was so important to you?
That’s simple. Because I am Australian, I live in Australia and I am the designer!
YOGi Active is still fairly young isn’t it? What is one thing that you have learnt since starting the journey?
Believing in your dreams and hard work can pay off. I think it has been such a great lesson for my daughters to see me working in every area of the business. They see my passion, they see me tired, sometimes stressed, but most importantly they see the times of sheer elation, the times where I feel really proud of my achievements.
I will always support their ambitions.
Delivering performance infused with fashion, our collection blends flawlessly into any wardrobe – Simone Marshall – Director
What would be your one bit of business advice to someone out there with a fab idea?
Mia Freedman runs the Lady Startup business course. I would have loved to have done it but I was too far down the line by the time I found out about it.
I think the one thing I would advise if you are looking to turn your idea into reality is to make sure you surround yourself with a great team of people.
What I would have given for this when I really needed it!!
When I was 24 I woke up completely numb from the neck down. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t use the bathroom without help, I couldn’t wash or even hold anything. I could barely move. I was rushed into hospital and diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis. It took me about 8 years to regain any sense of my old life, I was one of the lucky ones. Honestly, I had never given disability much thought, but since that fateful day, I have become acutely aware of the struggles many people are living with every single day. I vividly remember how utterly vulnerable I felt as I sat there, unable to do anything for myself. For many people living with chronic illness and disability, getting dressed is one of the many tasks that can seem like a colossal mountain climb. I cried tears of sheer frustration trying to do buttons up, and remember screaming out loud because I couldn’t grasp a zipper or put shoes on my feet. I would fall asleep from the exhaustion of even trying.
Poppy always kept me going
In fact, I gave up on all my ‘nice clothes’ in the end and lived in pj’s and trackies. When I heard Matthew Skerrit the founder of EveryHuman had created an incredible range of adaptive fashion giving independence to millions of Australians and New Zealanders living with chronic illness & disability, I just had to tell you about it. What I would have given for this when I really needed it!!
More than 4 million Australians live with a disability, however to date, the disabled community has been largely ignored by the fashion industry. EveryHumanis here to change the world of adaptive fashion as AU/NZ’s first curated online platform for adaptive lifestyle-driven clothing and footwear.
EveryHumanhas been created with the mission to empower people to independently create their identity and allow every human access to high-quality, stylish, and easy-to-use clothing. Featuring ten of the best global brands that are leading the charge on adaptive fashion, EveryHumanmakes it easier than ever before to find adaptive clothing that is both wearable and stylish.
“Imagine a wheelchair user who can now wear a pair of jeans or a trendy pair of high-top sneakers they love, rather than having to wear a pair of ‘trackies’ because it’s easy and comfortable.”
The desire to effect social change is built into the DNA of EveryHuman. As part of their ‘Social Impact’ initiative, EveryHumanhas partnered with three causes aligned to the brand that aim to break down down the barriers in the disability space. Consumers can purchase one of three t-shirt designs with 100% of profits benefiting their chosen cause. Further to this, EveryHumanis committed to employing those with disabilities to fulfil 100% of orders in 2020.
The initiative embodies everything that is EveryHuman– bold, thoughtful, and actively creating positive social change through business.
Identifying the unmet demand for styles that are fashion-forward as well as functional, EveryHumanFounder Matthew Skerrit and his team searched far and wide to curate the best adaptive fashion to ensure that the 1 in 5 Australians with disabilities have the same access to high-quality, long-lasting, and stylish adaptive clothing.
“Our clothes are designed by people who have also faced the challenge of finding, using and loving clothing that works for them. This is the first AU/NZ site that offers fashion forward adaptive clothing… Getting changed should be a happy and stress-free process. Our mission is to allow people with disabilities to feel and look amazing in stylish clothes just like every other human.” – Matthew Skerrit
With a strong team of bold and inspiring brand ambassadors, EveryHumanhas already begun to make an impact in the lives of Australians and New Zealanders affected by disability, empowering individuals to create their own identity, own their independence and express themselves in ways they could never before.
Join EveryHumanin their mission to get the fashion industry to adopt a “universal” mindset when designing and producing their clothes and footwear.
Australians and New Zealanders can already shop at www.everyhuman.com.au– the home of adaptive fashions including; AFO friendly shoes, clothing with magnetic closures, clothing designed for the seated position, adaptive intimates, and post-surgery clothing. Check out their brand new Lip Readers Face Masks here!
By following the EveryHuman socials, sharing their pages, and talking about disability with your family, you will help make a difference to people living with chronic illness & disability.
The Wilsons of Oz 