“It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” - Roy Disney
Since I announced that I’m phasing out my athleisure line–Fit by Ro–in 2025, I've been consoled by well-meaning friends and concerned customers about "how tough this must be" for me. I sincerely appreciate the sympathy, but it kinda makes me chuckle.
I actually haven't felt this free in months.
After a couple of years of wrestling with whether to keep designing activewear, I finally made the tough decision to let it go. Like my fashion hero, Mara Hoffman–who shut down her eponymous label earlier this year–I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling of being misaligned with my values.
And while I’m mourning it [I truly will miss it—I love seeing women in my clothes. I love designing vibrant leggings that celebrate all body types. I love using joyful colors to outfit women for runway shows, half marathons, or even just the daily race to carpool], it’s clear that Fit by Ro no longer fits with where the Rochelle Porter Design brand (a.k.a, me) is going.
My team and I gave it our best shot, using eco-friendly dyes and print-on-demand production. Yet, most pieces relied on synthetic fibers that release harmful microplastics into our water systems and eventually, our bodies. Balancing both athleisure and décor wasn’t sustainable either. So, I made the call to focus on my home décor and commercial wallpaper lines, which better reflect the future I want to create.
Please don’t get it twisted—I’m not on a high horse all. I, like you, have accumulated a closet full of polyester over the years. And I, like you, am constantly evolving and looking for better ways to exist in the world.
The climate crisis is out of control, thanks in part to our clothing. A quick YouTube search reveals the toll the garment industry has taken on our environment, our health, and the people who work in it. I don’t expect consumer habits or fast fashion to change overnight. But I can choose not to perpetuate the cycles that got us here in the first place.
Rest assured–this isn’t the last you’ll see of me in fashion. I love prints, patterns, and stylish silhouettes way too much for that. So stay tuned for eco-conscious collabs and fashion-forward products, all made with the least possible harm to people and the planet (consider this a spoiler).
As this year draws to a close, you get to decide the kind of 2025 you want to have. This is the perfect time to reflect on your values, identify what no longer fits you, and “decide hard” to make choices that better align with who you are.