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  • Styled Athletics | How Arcteryx and Songtsam Created a Collection With Altitude and Attitude

Styled Athletics | How Arcteryx and Songtsam Created a Collection With Altitude and Attitude

Plus, Under Armour’s plant-based line offers real sustainability—no greenwashing.

Welcome to Styled Athletics, your essential newsletter for marketers and eCommerce professionals in the athleisure industry.

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Sector Spotlight 🎥

FASHION MARKET TRENDS

The athleisure market is forecasted to surpass $560 billion by 2029, driven by consumer demand for versatile, health-focused apparel and sustainable practices. Brands succeed by blending comfort, function, and style across clothing, footwear, and accessories, meeting diverse regional and gender-specific needs. Marketers must prioritize product adaptability, eco-conscious materials, and eCommerce strategies to capture growth.

INNOVATIVE SPORTS TECHNOLOGY

ANTA’s PG7 midsole technology sets a new industry standard in performance footwear by lowering the Peak Gravity value to 7.6, signifying superior cushioning and stability. Marketers can leverage the global relay run spanning 12 cities as a case study in experiential brand activation and community engagement. This underscores the practical value of innovation-driven positioning and targeted product launches in global sportswear marketing.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Arcteryx and Songtsam’s latest collaboration leverages shared audiences in adventure travel, blending technical performance with local cultural narratives through a Namtso-inspired capsule and documentary. Marketers targeting affluent, experience-driven consumers in China can learn from this model’s fusion of lifestyle branding, visual storytelling, and regional partnerships. Songtsam’s recent investment by New Oriental further signals diversification in China’s experiential hospitality sector.

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DESIGN

Under Armour’s new regenerative sportswear—created with Unless Collective—uses entirely plant-based, biodegradable materials and promises to break down in backyard compost. This collection directly addresses fashion’s environmental footprint and signals a market shift toward regenerative brand positioning. Marketers should note the growing demand for verifiable sustainability claims as consumer expectations and regulatory pressures escalate.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

SuperX's pivot from supplements to pop culture-inspired activewear enabled licensing deals with Marvel and Disney, presenting both brand-building opportunities and new operational challenges. Navigating Trump-era tariffs forced rapid supply chain diversification—insightful for marketing professionals facing shifting global regulations. The company’s experience underscores adaptability and narrative-driven branding as vital for enduring and differentiating in volatile markets.

PRICING INNOVATION

Dionies Sportswear’s permanent 20% discount model directly addresses rising industry prices from tariffs and supply chain challenges, offering transparent, tariff-resistant pricing. This approach attracts price-conscious consumers, strengthens brand loyalty, and creates a sustainable, trust-based pricing strategy. Marketers can note the brand’s differentiation through transparency and customer-focused pricing amid industry inflation.

Influencer Corner 📣

Performance Pulse 📈

COMMERCE MEDIA EVOLUTION

Amazon maintains a dominant share of retail media ad spend, but last-mile intermediaries like DoorDash and Instacart are gaining ground by leveraging granular purchase data and unique ad formats. Tariffs introduce new uncertainty, yet retail media spend is expected to grow, favoring categories with domestic supply chains. Financial companies such as PayPal and Chase offer strategic value through offsite ad targeting and cross-transaction insights.

PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING EXCELLENCE

Selecting the right DSP hinges on aligning platform capabilities—such as data-driven targeting, creative flexibility, and robust measurement—with specific campaign goals. As shown by StackAdapt outperforming DV360 in qualified sessions for a niche audience despite higher costs, marketers must weigh reach versus efficiency based on business objectives. This decision is critical for effective eCommerce and digital advertising outcomes.

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