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What is Sporty & Rich, the athleisure brand that Gen Z loves? How Emily Oberg turned an Instagram mood board into the LA-based label with Princess Diana-inspired campaigns and an Adidas collab

Entrepreneur Emily Oberg built her athleisure brand Sporty & Rich from scratch. Photo: @emilyoberg/Instagram
Whether you’re a serious fitness buff – or not – there’s no denying the appeal of activewear and lifestyle brand Sporty & Rich.

The Los Angeles-based label, founded in 2015 by young entrepreneur Emily Oberg, specialises in athleisure wear and preppy everyday basics with a retro twist.

Also, who doesn’t love the name “Sporty & Rich?”

Founder of activewear and lifestyle brand Sporty & Rich, Emily Oberg. Photo: @emilyoberg/Instagram

Many of the label’s stylish separates – for instance, its oversized sweatshirts and printed T-shirts – are plastered with varsity-inspired logos and (sensible) wellness-related phrases that encourage a balanced lifestyle. Favourites include “Drink More Water!” and “Health is Wealth!”

Although it’s been less than 10 years since Sporty & Rich has launched, the brand has managed to forge successful partnerships with environmental non-profit organisations and other key players across multiple industries. The iconic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Adidas, tennis brand Prince and Le Bristol Paris are just some of the big names it has collaborated with. Its campaigns have also taken inspiration from celebrities such as Princess Diana, and JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Emily Oberg wears one of her brand’s printed T-shirts. Photo: @emilyoberg/Instagram

Here’s a little more about Sporty & Rich.

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Sporty & Rich was founded by Emily Oberg, who just turned 30 this year

Sporty & Rich sells vintage sportswear tied with luxury. Photo: @sportyandrich/Instagram

According to the brand’s website, back in 2015, Canadian-born Oberg relocated to New York to start work as an editorial producer at Complex Magazine. She would then go on to be creative lead of womenswear at Kith.

During that time, Oberg started to develop her brand’s identity, even though she had no intention of transforming it into an actual clothing label. Sporty & Rich’s website describes it as “vintage sportswear tied with luxury”. Oberg, who is half-Filipino, is the founder and visual director.

It began as an Instagram mood board

Emily Oberg worked in editorial and fashion before founding Sporty & Rich. Photo: @emilyoberg/Instagram

Oberg started Sporty & Rich with a thoughtfully organised Instagram mood board featuring some of her favourite things. Now, the label’s account @sportyandrich boasts almost 500,000 followers and features a mix of stunning visuals with a distinctively 90s appeal. You’ll find the brand’s own impeccably styled campaign images alongside miscellaneous archival photos.

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It recently opened its first flagship store in NYC

Sporty & Rich has a well-targeted audience in New York City. Photo: @sportyandrich/Instagram

Located in New York City’s SoHo neighbourhood, the 3,600 sq ft retail space houses Sporty & Rich’s line of clothing and accessories, and offers customers a 360-degree wellness experience. There’s a beverage bar, which serves juices and coffee, as well as a discreet spa that offers facials, massages and body treatments.

Fashion
  • Oberg just opened a 3,600 sq ft flagship store for her athleisure label Sporty & Rich in New York’s SoHo neighbourhood, with a discreet spa that offers facials, massages and body treatments
  • The lifestyle brand also offers activewear such as oversized sweatshirts, leggings, track pants and printed T-shirts, and has collaborated with big names like tennis brand Prince and Le Bristol Paris