Add easy style to your workout with fun, feminine NaLa activewear

Laurie Barokas and Nancy Cirillo are busy moms who need their wardrobe to keep up with their athletic yet stylish lifestyle. So what's a pair of creative women to do if they can't find what they need in the marketplace? Design and launch NaLa, a collection of functional yet fashionable activewear, that's what.

Calling on Barokas's experience as a designer for the now defunct Pine IV denim line and Cirillo's background in business, the two began to brainstorm ideas for NaLa in 2008, launching their debut collection this fall.

NaLa takes a different approach to performance wear: The line is pretty, fun and easy to live in, perfect for the woman who wants to be able to transition from the gym to the street without having to orchestrate a major outfit change.

The duo chose ecologically low-impact fabrics such as modal (from beech tree fiber), organic cotton and recycled polyester for their drape, feel and functionality.

"We felt that there was a void in the marketplace for clothes like ours," says Barokas. "NaLa is fresh, pretty, feminine and approachable."

And fun, as the names of the garments reveal. Grab Your Girls and Go is a form-fitting cami with support bra and contrast stitching ($58); Lose the Roll pants feature a forgiving and camouflaging roll-top waistband ($88); and Drape It Girl is a sexy racer-back tank with a daringly draped front ($58).

Other highlights from the line include Shake That Thang Fancy Pants ($88) with hip ruching at the ankle to create a gathered look; Here's the Hoodie ($98), a drop-waisted, extra-long cowl neck hoodie in a cozy organic cotton; and Kick-It Skirt ($52), a short, flippy skirt meant to be worn over leggings to provide a bit more coverage over the derriere.

Colors for this season include red, black and blue. Pants come in black only; and certain items, such as Believe It ($58), a beaded top, and Sashay Right ($58), a long-sleeved, scoop neck, closet-staple T-shirt, come in gorgeous shades of this season's colors.

The entire NaLa collection is available at Finch & Sparrow, and select pieces are available at the Seattle Athletic Club and David Barton Gym.

For more information on the line, visit www.NaLaSeattle.com/.

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