Fitness has become an indispensable part of our lives, especially throughout the pandemic when many turned to workouts like running, tennis, yoga and even roller-skating to alleviate the stress and boredom that comes with lockdowns. Whether you’re a hardcore fitness enthusiast or someone who just enjoys moving their body from time to time, chances are that looking cute and feeling comfortable in your workout clothes rank pretty high on your list of priorities. And brands are definitely aware of the need for stylish *and* functional workout gear.
Sustainable brand Allbirds just launched their first-ever activewear collection, while New York-based men’s activewear brand Ten Thousand has entered the Canadian market, offering styles that meet the demands of specific workout modalities such as water sports, compact sports, military training, and more. And we’d be remiss not to name check Reebok’s ongoing collaborations with Cardi B and Victoria Beckham, not to mention Lululemon’s limited edition SeaWheeze collection celebrating the transformative experience provided by running.
No matter what your favourite fitness routine consists of, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favourite new workout gear to buy — and break a sweat in — now.
When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, April Brown and Sarah Sklash were elbow-deep in their renovation of a rundown 1970s motel. Facing strict time constraints, a dwindling budget and an ominous uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, the Canadian entrepreneurs had a turbulent journey ahead of them — and it was all filmed for a Netflix original show, Motel Makeover.
The six-episode docuseries takes viewers alongside Brown and Sklash’s process of gutting, renovating and launching The June Motel in Sauble Beach, Ontario during the thick of the pandemic. Luckily, the best-friends-turned-business-partners don’t shy away from a challenge. In 2016, they both quit their desk jobs in Toronto to follow their entrepreneurial aspirations and open their first motel property, The June Motel in Prince Edward County. But for their second motel renovation, things were more complicated, to say the least.
The Sauble Beach motel property was Brown and Sklash’s biggest undertaking yet, consisting of 24 guest rooms, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a gift shop and a lounge. Reimagining the outdated property involved numerous revised paint coats, debates over vintage decor items, and self-posed questions like, “Is this charming or hideous?”
From animated discussions about their love for rosé to teaching their small-town contractor, Rick, what a mirror selfie is, the pair bring a lovable charm to the project — despite its never-ending curveballs.
“There were a lot of firsts that we had to tackle on this project alone, and that would have been a challenge in itself. But then you layer on a camera crew following you around every day, and then you layer on a global pandemic,” says Brown. The motel rooms had already been completely gutted when the pandemic hit, so the only option the pair had was to continue with the project, despite having lost money and time.
“[During] that whole period of lockdown, there were almost daily conversations of, ‘What are our options? How are we going to move forward? Do we have money? Are we going to run out of money?’” recalls Brown. “And that was like, the scariest moment probably of our lives — definitely of our career.”
When the first lockdown hit, while the rest of the world was largely stuck at home, Sklash, Brown and the renovation’s project manager Courtney Mann were stuck at work — living together in the apartment above the motel’s restaurant. The business partners leveraged their homes and their first motel for this project, but the pandemic forced them to halt construction for months. “There were some really scary moments,” says Sklash. She recalls thinking, “It’s possible we could lose the business. We could lose our homes. Who knows?”
Despite the stress, they managed to create some fond memories during that time, one of which was watching Schitt’s Creek — a comedy about a once-wealthy family who loses their fortune and is forced to move into a small, run-down motel. Sound familiar? “It was just this very relatable experience,” says Brown. After months of delay, they were able to realize their vision for The June Motel’s Sauble Beach location and finish the renovation.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NETFLIX CANADA
Motels aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a glam getaway, but Brown and Sklash see them as blank slates. The June Motel has a retro, throwback feel, and these characteristics are often found in motels to begin with. Plus, they’re budget-friendly.
“We were young entrepreneurs and really the only thing we could afford was not that beautiful beach resort, but it was the dingy roadside motel,” Sklash says about the decision to buy their first fixer upper in Prince Edward County. “That’s really why we got started, but [we] have just been charmed by them ever since.”
Now that renovations are complete, The June Motel radiates a beach-y vibe, punctuated by pops of colour like neon signs and statement wallpaper. The space was designed by Brown and Sklash with the goal of creating Instagram-worthy moments.
“We really are constantly taking our phones out and taking photos of it as we go through this design process, because we want to see how the colours show up on camera,” says Brown. With over 82,000 Instagram followers at the time of publication, The June Motel has become an aesthetically pleasing oasis for travellers and influencers alike.
Brown and Sklash are ready to do it again. The pair are building a “motel empire” one eventful renovation at a time. In fact, they’re already planning to start searching for their next motel in fall 2021. “We don’t know where it’s going to be,” says Sklash. “We’re going to be looking for that diamond in the rough property.”
We interrupt your internet browsing with some very important news: Channing Tatum and Zoë Kravitz might be an item. It’s the coupling that we never knew we needed — so let’s discuss.
It all started on August 18, when the pair were spotted on an outing in NYC. Tatum is seen riding a black BMX bike with Kravitz walking next to him. At one point, she even hopped on the back of the bike to ride along, which is objectively adorable. The snaps quickly prompted the internet to beg the question: are they or aren’t they together?
One of the hints pointing towards the former is Tatum’s apparent change of style in the presence of Kravitz, who is known for her elevated sense of fashion. During his early 2000s acting era of playing jock-like characters (think: Step Up and She’s The Man), Tatum was often seen sporting low wasted jeans and tight tank tops (or, no shirt at all). Now, he seems to have adopted an effortlessly cool, grunge style of well-worn graphic tees, straight-legged jeans and Converse that vibes with Kravitz’s own polished but laidback brand of street style quite well. Could it be the Zoë Kravitz effect? Fans think yes. Earlier this year, Deadline reported that she gave Tatum fashion advice, telling him to stop wearing Crocs because he couldn’t pull them off. We respect the brutal honesty — especially when it comes to questionable fashion choices.
The duo has been spending more time together lately because of work. Tatum was handpicked by Kravitz to star in her directorial film debut, Pussy Island — which we know will be great, because duh.
Following their Manhattan bike moment, the actors were spotted on yet another NYC stroll on August 19. This time, they were holding ice coffees and laughing together. Kravitz, wearing a minimal Araks blue slip dress, walked alongside Tatum in a white graphic tee and faded blue jeans, with another BMX bike in tow (seemingly a staple accessory of his new wardrobe). Something about them just says power couple, no?
The dating speculations come eight months after Kravitz filed for divorce from actor Karl Glusmam, and as of now, neither Tatum or Kravitz have confirmed or denied the status of their relationship. However, a source told E! News that they have recently gotten closer and that their relationship has grown beyond a friendship. Interesting…
Romantic involvement aside, the two make an *excellent* pair, and their street style inspo is the real gift here. Keep it coming, guys!
Virgo season is here, folks! And that means it’s time to give back to the most generous of the zodiac signs, so — in true Virgo fashion — we’ve curated the perfect gift list for these sweethearts.
The detail-oriented Virgo has a knack for sniffing out an item of good quality, and your best Virgo pal will appreciate these elevated essentials without too many unnecessary frills. Think: a sleek, water-resistant backpack from Rains, or Sorel boots that prove practicality and style needn’t be mutually exclusive. Everything Virgos do is intentional, and nothing is left up to chance. Cater to their meticulous nature with a clever customizable eyeshadow palette will check off every box. And for those who opt for a more fresh face, Maison Margiela’s latest Replica scent Autumn Vibes, reminiscent of the woody trails and ruby-red leaves of fall, will speak to a Virgo’s down-to-earth presence.
Tap through our favourite gifts below that will satisfy all the Virgos on your list.
