The Chic Guide: What is MEAS Active?
Erin Roddy, Founder of MEAS Active: MEAS Active is a women’s active and athleisure apparel brand based in Cincinnati. We are both online and in-store, with a location on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine. Our mission is to empower women through their health and wellness journey while providing high-quality, technical, and fashionable activewear and lifestyle apparel. We also give back to Girls On The Run Cincinnati with every purchase.
The Chic Guide: What’s the inspiration behind it?
Roddy: I was inspired to start this brand from a few different places. Being an avid runner and marathoner, I could find fashionable active and athleisure apparel, but none that could withstand a hard workout to long mileage. However, all of my technical apparel that took me the distance just wasn’t fashionable. Therefore, I knew there was a way to combine fashion and function. In addition, after working in the NYC fashion industry for almost 10 years, I felt that fashion could do more good, which is why our messaging is to encourage, empower, and support women on their health and wellness journey. It is also why we give back to non-profit organizations on the same mission.
Lastly, all of this came to fruition on a two-week trip to Cambodia and Thailand with a non-profit organization that helped girls who had been sex trafficked. There, I met young girls who were rescued from sex trafficking and they had so much joy and hope within them. While there, I also learned of an ancient proverb that said, “Men are like gold, when dirtied, they can be shined off like new. Women are like white linen, once they are dirtied, they are dirtied.” Not only did I see the opposite in those young girls I was working with there, but as a woman who has gone through many mental health challenges and have taken on a very non-traditional path, I felt like I had overcome so much. We were shined and new. I knew combining my love for fashion, empowering women through health and wellness, and philanthropy was something I needed to do. MEAS means gold and is my nod to the idea that we can go through the hard times and still come out on top – we are gold!
The Chic Guide: What can readers find when they shop MEAS Active?
Roddy: We carry everything from cozy joggers to long-distance marathon tights (with all the pockets you need), sports bras with light to heavy support, and fashionable sets for the studio workout.
The Chic Guide: What makes MEAS Active unique?
Roddy: MEAS Active is not just a brand for great, quality active apparel. It’s a brand on a mission to empower women, support women, and give back to our community. I want this brand to be thought of as a place to come and be reminded how amazing you are, no matter what your path is.
The Chic Guide: Where can readers go to learn more and follow along?
Roddy: Readers can visit our website at www.MEASactive.com or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.