When Amanda Bodette first envisioned her brand, she wasn’t looking to follow a trend — she was seeking to solve a problem. As a former elite athlete with a refined aesthetic sensibility and a background in leadership, Bodette observed a persistent gap in the market: a lack of activewear that respected both performance and elegance.
The solution became Phyt Lab, a new luxury apparel company grounded in the philosophy of “Performance With Class.” In 2025, the brand launched its first luxury collection — a focused, high-concept debut that introduces two foundational garments: The Draped Atelier T-Shirt and The Quick Dry Lux T-Shirt. These two pieces exemplify the design ethos Phyt Lab aims to advance: high-performance clothing with intelligent structure, minimalism, and restraint — not just function, but presence.
A Quiet Revolution in Cut, Fit, and Form
Phyt Lab’s identity is shaped not by visual loudness, but by careful restraint. The brand was founded on the belief that clothing for high performers doesn’t need to compromise on aesthetics — nor should it default to overstated branding. This concept runs through its inaugural products, both of which underwent months of design development and material sourcing.
The Draped Atelier T-Shirt was the first of the two signature releases. Designed in collaboration with Bodette’s core team, the shirt brings structured elegance to a casual staple. It features defined collar architecture, sculpted sleeve lines, and precision hem detailing, all crafted from a mid-weight fabric with a subtle stretch.
The material offers a balance that is rarely achieved in performance apparel — neither too light nor overly rigid — and was selected to allow for mobility while preserving the shirt’s structured silhouette. The garment is offered in Crème Blanc, along with three vintage-washed color variants, reinforcing its position as a versatile, elevated staple.
According to Bodette, the intent behind the piece was to create something visually refined but inherently wearable. “We wanted the consumer to experience something tailored and fashion-conscious, but functional enough to move in — something that could live outside the gym without losing the integrity of performance.”
Material Innovation with a Tailored Focus
While The Draped Atelier leans heavily into structured design, the second release — The Quick Dry Lux T-Shirt — focuses on fabric innovation and wearable comfort. Constructed from a blend of 73.31% cotton and 26.69% Sorona® fiber (a partially plant-based performance material), the shirt was developed to achieve durability, breathability, and moisture management — while maintaining a soft, premium handfeel.
The Quick Dry Lux offers a slightly tailored but relaxed silhouette, intended to flatter without constraining movement. This piece was offered in two distinct design directions: one featuring a discreet brand logo available in multiple color options, and another with a more graphic-forward aesthetic, released exclusively in white.
While the shirt’s technical elements serve active functionality, the garment is not framed as gym wear. Rather, it reflects the brand’s wider commitment to redefining where — and how — performance clothing belongs.
“The Quick Dry Lux shirt is crafted as a more elegant and quality based option when seeking a shirt with performance benefits, like moisture wicking,” Bodette explains. “It’s luxury grade materials make the shirt an option for performance activities as well as day-to-day life. Every detail, from the stretch to the cut, was chosen with longevity and refinement in mind.”
Collaboration, Detail, and Design Intention
Developing these two pieces was an extensive process — and one that demanded a close partnership between Bodette and her creative and technical teams. From early concept prototypes to the final product, the focus remained on precision: fit engineering, fabric response, and visual cohesion.
“Bringing a luxury-grade garment to life requires far more than people realize,” Bodette says. “We weren’t just picking materials. We were refining thickness, testing mobility, calibrating how the shirt reads in movement. These decisions matter — especially when the goal is subtle luxury.”
The production phase was particularly focused on conveying quality with an emphasis on cut, fit, and textile character — details often lost in a digital-first market, where tactile quality can be difficult to convey. For Bodette, this remains one of Phyt Lab’s ongoing challenges: how to translate the feel of excellence through a screen, while maintaining authenticity and editorial neutrality.
Defining a New Category
Phyt Lab’s entrance into the activewear space isn’t framed as a disruption — but as a quiet recalibration. The brand does not compete with streetwear, nor does it chase seasonal trends. Its product philosophy is built around considered design, long wear, and clothing that reflects its wearer’s mindset: focused, intelligent, and intentional.
Bodette describes the label as a solution to an overlooked need: performance apparel for individuals who value quality and sophistication without compromise.
“There’s an elegance to athleticism that hasn’t been honored by most of the market,” Bodette says. “We’re not designing for flash. We’re designing for those who know what it means to carry presence — in movement, and in stillness.”
Looking Ahead
With the 2025 release of the first line of luxury clothing, Phyt Lab establishes its foundation — one rooted in clarity, precision, and commitment to a long-term creative vision. The brand plans to expand its product line in early 2026, with additional engineered apparel options and tailored concepts that are currently in development.
While still in its early stages, Phyt Lab’s approach suggests a new direction for the fitness fashion industry — one in which clothing is not just built to perform, but to communicate confidence and class.
Additional details about the company’s work and product development can be found at www.phytlab.com or through the brand’s verified social media presence under @phytlab on Instagram.
Phyt Lab is an independent apparel company founded by Amanda Bodette, with the first luxury grade apparel release in 2025. Product and material specifications referenced in this article reflect company-provided information as of publication.
