OUR STORY
Designed in the heart of New Zealand, gprixx active is a testament to the perfect harmony between cutting-edge design and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.
With a philosophy deeply rooted in the use of only the finest sustainable fabrics, every piece of active wear is a masterpiece of thoughtful design, crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and eco-friendliness.
From sourcing the most sustainable fabrics to implementing eco-conscious & ethical manufacturing processes, gprixx active is more than just activewear, it's a statement of purpose, a commitment to the planet, and a celebration of the innovative spirit that New Zealand is known for.
Interview with Founder & Creator, Shaan Ronchi
How do we pronounce gprixx? There are two pronunciations. First is: 'gee pree' and the second is 'gee pree ten' with X meaning the roman numeral 10.
What was your inspiration behind the brand name 'gprixx active'? The name came from an admiration for top level sports & my passion for horses & equestrian... i just added an extra X on the end for good luck! It can be viewed as a friendly x ,or a 'Ten' for top marks. In equestrian we strive for 10's.
What influenced & inspired you the most when you founded gprixx active? As a whole it had a lot to do with giving back, team culture, empowerment & the planet. My love for nature, craftsmanship, sports & people of all cultures is my main influence. My Inspiration was making a difference in the world. Through the gprixx active brand we're able to back positive initiatives that are helping to deal with some of the worlds pollution issues, take eco conscious accountability through our own practises & give back to the communities involved.
How long did it take you to launch gprixx active? We're coming up nearly 2 years. It takes time to do things right... set backs & curve balls always happen but most of all there is a lot of learning to do & everything is a valuable learning experience. "Done once, Done Right" is my motto.
What was your mission for gprixx active? 2 years ago my mission was to create a high quality athleisure brand using the finest recycled sustainable techno fabrics & working with ethical manufacturers. We've already achieved the above so we're onto the next mission of team & empowerment which will come through the development of the brand.
What are recycled sustainable techno fabrics? Its the innovative technological process of turning ocean waste, into high-quality & long lasting, sustainable fabric. By harnessing the untapped potential of discarded materials, such as nylon fishing nets, we are not just addressing the issue of pollution, but also revolutionising the textile industry. Sustainable techno fabrics can be recycled, indefinitely.
What does 'indefinitely' mean? From my understanding, it means the fabric can go through the regeneration processes again, get turned into a pellet and then refined back into a new fibre or material, ready to be re-used again! From ocean waste to premium active wear is what they call it & the process from start to finish is very impressive!
You touch on Ethical Manufacturing, how can you achieve this? Have a good relationship with your manufacturer. Ethical manufacturing isn't cheap so you have to be willing to do the research and pay the cost, but to me, this was a no brainer. Craftsmanship is an art and when someone loves what they do, i personally, can really feel it when I'm wearing that garment. Our manufacturing team is an 'open manufacturer' meaning we can visit them whenever we like, see our whole manufacturing process from start to finish and most of all, meet the craftswoman behind bringing our designs to life. They're a very important part of our brand!
What does gprixx actives slogan 'Look Good, Feel Good & Do Good' mean? 'Look Good' is about our timeless styles and their versatility. The GP CONTOUR collection for example, is perfect for all occasions from working out to going out & you can even swim & sauna in them. 'Feel Good' comes from our fabrics having feel good factors like: Softness, Contouring of the body and muscular compression which helps reduce lactic acid build up while exercising = more feel good endorphins! Inspiration & motivation is our other 'Feel Good' factor and thats what our marketing will cover. 'Do Good' is my favourite part and its about giving back to those in need. Each Athleisure piece supports grass root organisations that advance woman's education & the environment in the Indonesian communities where they're produced. We also 'Do Good' by being eco friendly with all our brands practises. Eco consciousness and minimising our impact is at the core of all our planning processes.
And finally... What are you and the brand proud of so far? We're proud to be apart of the new revolution of Eco Conscious change, taking accountability & helping to change the game one Athleisure piece at a time.
Thank you to:
Model & Photographer: Morgane Amet & Morgane Amet Photography, Instagram(@morganea_photography)
Photographer: Alexandra Galbon Photography, Instagram(@alexandra_photographynz)
Photographer & Studio: Steve Montgomery, Profile Photos, Wellington (https://profilephotos.nz)
Photographer & Studio: David Hamilton, Flash Dog Studio & Photohire, Wellington (https://www.flashdogstudios.com/)
Model: Cheyenne Horne (instagram @cheyennehorne)
Model: Irina Raynaud (instagram @irina.raynaud)