The View (point) on yoga wear

- in conversation with Susan Keizers

What does the View entail for you?

The View is a different View on the fashion / sportswear industry. I believe that we can value everyone who is connected to the garments, from the people in the factory to the people who wear the clothes. The View of brands and consumers within the fashion industry needs to change. We need more brands who do it better and there is still a long way to go. I also believe that yoga is so much more than the asanas (physical practice) we do on the mat. So if you want to wear our clothes during meditation, or a walk - it is all yoga as long as you do it consciously.

Why did you decide to create your own yoga brands?

I have to be honest, I did think about this a lot. Does the world need more yoga brands? The answer is no, but we do need more responsible (yoga) brands. If there is more to offer, people are able to choose the more sustainable option instead of buying from bigger brands who can be polluting. I believe that by wearing high quality durable yoga wear and you know who made this; you are more in line with your values and you can feel this while practising.

What is your background?

I worked in fashion for the last 10 years. My experience lies in the field of production, product development and sustainability. The people I met, the suppliers I worked with shaped my vision on this industry. I wanted to create a brand in line with my values and what we need to minimise our impact on this planet. Besides working in fashion I did my yoga teacher training 3 years ago and started teaching at Studio Balance. This showed me what values are important to live by and how I can incorporate this into my life.

What is your approach to clothing production while we keep hearing that fashion is such a polluting industry?

I want to produce at factories which I am able to visit, where the people who work in the factory are treated well and with fabrics that are more sustainable. This does mean that the prices are a bit higher and it takes a bit more effort to source the right materials. I believe this is the only way to go to sustain the fashion industry.

How do you incorporate yoga values in the clothing brand?

There are so many beautiful values in for example the Yamas and Niyamas. Things such as Ahimsa (non harming) and Satya (truthfulness) are values I try to live by. As I wear clothing when I practise it just does not feel right that these are not made according to these values.

Can you tell me more about the fabrics that The View clothes are made of?

At the moment we have two types of fabric. The recycled Nylon we use for the leggings and tops. This comes from Italy and is made from ECONYL® regenerated Nylon. Contains 78% Recycled Polyamide and 22% Elastane and is OEKO-TEX certified. This means that there are no harmful chemicals in the fabric. The linen fabric for the Teya pants has the same certificate and is made of 90%Linen and 10% Cotton. We use linen since it is durable and more sustainable than other fabrics. It is one of the most biodegradable fabrics available

Where is your collection produced?

The legging and top at a small family owned supplier in Portugal, the linen items in an atelier in Amsterdam.

What are your plans for the future?

I see the View as something bigger than just a clothing brand. I hope to incorporate more, maybe even workshops and retreats. A place where people share the same values and learn more about their values as well as yoga and the fashion industry.

Is there any place people can try your clothes before buying them?

Yes! We will have a pop up at Studio Balance from 1st of October until 15th and we would love to see you there! Drop by for yoga class and enjoy the special discount for buying on the spot!

Susan is a Vinyasa and Yin yoga teacher and The View Yoga founder.She has a background in production & sustainability accompanied with 10 years of working in the fashion industry. Now she finds a way to combine all her passions in her business. When she doesn’t do yoga she likes to hike in the mountains, play on her harmonium, read, connect with likeminded people and have dinners (or a good oat cappuccino) with friends.