5 things to love about Vaara

The label was created in 2016 by Tatiana Korsakova, a Russia-born, London-based model who’s worked for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani and L’Oréal. Her job, with its need for her to look great and be brimful of energy despite the long hours and back-to-back flights, sparked a reliance on regular yoga and Pilates sessions. And that, in turn, began her quest for great activewear.

It’s a twist on the name of Korsakova’s daughter, Varvara. But the moment that really cemented the name? When she mentioned it to a yoga teacher and he explained that the word vaara also means blessing in Sanskrit.

Vaara takes the engineering of its clothes very seriously, tweaking and adjusting until they’re just right. “Every woman wants to be comfortable and feel confident during her workout, so each piece must fit and feel perfect,” says Korsakova. Fabrics are painstakingly chosen to combine a luxury feel with hard-working functionality, so all you have to think about mid-exercise is finding the focus to finish.

Her interest in staying healthy wasn’t the only thing that pushed Korsakova to start her own label; she was frustrated by not being able to find activewear that suited her personal style. “Everything seemed to be quite loud and busy,” she says. “I wanted versatile pieces that were chic.” That equates to quietly cool and understated designs, courtesy of flattering shapes and sophisticated block shades.

“We’re designing for someone who balances family life with her work, social life, exercise and other commitments,” says Korsakova. “She desires a wardrobe that transitions effortlessly from morning to night, from work to home, and from active to relaxed.” Sound familiar?