Colour psychology applied to activewear: at the gym, wear pink for creativity, blue for confidence, says founder of Centric clothing brand

The Vietnamese-born founder of Centric, an LA-based athletic wear brand, was inspired to launch it after finding most workout gear was sold in neutral colours

Ryan Hoang applies colour psychology to clothes – light blue is calming for yoga, for example – and his sales prove clients who exercise want to look the part

4-MIN READ4-MIN

Workout gear from Los Angeles-based label Centric. The fitness wear company works on what the founder describes as “the psychology of colour”.

Published: 2:30am, 8 Sep 2020Updated: 6:57pm, 8 Sep 2020

Ryan Hoang may have had to launch his business in the middle of a pandemic, but the timing has worked in his favour.

“We’ve sold out,” said Hoang, the Vietnamese-born founder of Centric, a maker of athletic wear in Los Angeles. “Right now, we’re very low on inventory. I didn’t expect that.”

The reason for the runaway success of Centric is a pragmatic one; most Americans, still forced to quarantine, are turning to home workouts and (despite having to exercise alone) they want to look the part. Beyond that, Hoang’s brand is different from most other activewear labels because it works on what he describes as “the psychology of colour” – that wearing certain colours, especially while exercising, can boost performance.

“It’s a huge science,” said Hoang. “Light blue is great for yoga, because it is so calming. I like to wear burgundy when I exercise; it gives me more energy.”

We were chatting at Urth Caffe, a trendy spot on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood with a constantly busy patio. Along the street, once filled with shoppers and diners, stores are closed, “for lease” signs proliferate and entire banks of parking meters stand empty.