Sportswear brand Rhone launches its first women's collection

Activewear brand Rhone is breaking into womenswear for the first time.

The label, which has been making sports apparel for men since 2014, is rolling out a collection for women on March 2. The series will focus on empowerment, with pieces bearing the Virginia Woolf quotation "No need to be anybody but oneself" on the inseams. An accompanying campaign will also feature the poem ‘Phenomenal Woman' by Dr. Maya Angelou. 

"The genesis of this collection comes from something that has been instrumental to Rhone's success: the collaboration with and contributions of the extremely talented women in our company," said Kyle McClure, co-founder and chief product officer of Rhone, in a statement.

"We wanted a collection that celebrates just that with sophisticated and edgy silhouettes married to extraordinary fabrics with a keen sense of design and style."

The collection will span tanks, hoodies, leggings and joggers crafted from breathable fabrics boasting the same ‘GoldFusion' technology as the menswear line. The leggings are made from sustainable fabric using reclaimed and recycled fishing nets removed from the world's oceans.

Six of Rhone's female employees have been snapped up to front the campaign, which sees them reciting quotations from Maya Angelou. The brand has also made a contribution to the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation, which aims to support educational excellence and healthcare equity for all.

The activewear trend shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon -- Rhone's new line is the latest in a string of high-profile collections, including launches by MSGM, Ultracor x Christian Lacroix and a recent collaboration between H&M and P.E. Nation.