Brittany Allen is the definition of determination. From her humble beginnings in Arkansas to her fighting her way for a spot on Project Runway, surviving a stroke on an airplane, her vigilant weight loss story, to the leap of faith she took when reaching out to Peloton instructor Jess King cold the first time to design an outfit for her, to now being the owner of one of the most interesting athleisure and women’s clothing line in recent memory; this woman is a fighter!
A Fashionable Beginning: Project Runway
Brittany Allen is a fashion designer who gained national recognition through her participation in the reality television show "Project Runway." She competed on "Project Runway" season 18 and later on "Project Runway All-Stars." Allen's time on "Project Runway All-Stars" made her more unapologetic about what she does in the real world. The competition puts you through insane deadlines, intense pressure, and makes you think long and hard about your work and the inspiration behind it. She was able to come straight out of "All-Stars" and start on this collection with a new perspective. She was already in the mindset of designing and sewing very quickly, so she continued on while feeling that validation. She knew after competing and knowing the outcome that she does have a place in this industry - the competition just allowed her to do what she do with max effort and less worry about what other people will think. After she competed on "Project Runway" season 18, she came back with a newfound source of inspiration and determination.
Overcoming Adversity: Stroke and Recovery
Before she was a finalist on "Project Runway All-Stars," designer Brittany Allen was a Peloton fan. She became a dedicated follower of instructor Jess King in 2019 after a stroke caused Allen to temporarily lose all feeling and movement abilities on the right side of her body. Allen's husband would clip her into the Peloton bike to pedal through King and DJ John Michael's live studio rides as a way to strengthen her leg just in time to compete on "Project Runway" season 18. Brittany talks about her stroke while flying and the story of her recovery.
A Serendipitous Connection: Peloton and Jess King
When she returned home after filming, Allen sent King a grateful DM, sharing her story and offering her clothing as a thank-you gift. It was the beginning of a friendship between the two women. "I was like, 'Let's meet. This story is crazy,'" King told POPSUGAR. "She was in New York, and we just connected. I was like, 'I have bigger ideas for you about how we can work together. Do you do athleisure? Would you be willing to create custom looks for me to ride the bike?'"
Allen's connection with Peloton instructor Jess King has been a pivotal point in her career. After I competed on "Project Runway" season 18, I came back with a newfound source of inspiration and determination, and I thought, "What the hell - I'll shoot [Jess King and DJ John Michael] a DM and see what happens." Designers never get responses back from celeb DMs, but they both responded. They heard my story and instantly wanted to try out a jacket project, while Jess started cooking up some bigger plans. I think I did really well on those jackets because I consider that my very first project for anything Peloton - and I guess you could say I made it past the "audition," because they wanted to keep working together.
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[When we first wore the jackets,] we turned all the lights off during the class and we did a dance - and you just saw our little light-up arms. Amazing. It was for the Miley Cyrus Artist Series. It was a long-sleeved pink top with red plastic hearts and the Peloton "P" made from rhinestones, with matching pants. It was the first time that we had customized anything to say "Peloton," and it was epic. It felt SO WILD. I have been a Peloton member for over seven years now. I have thought about a moment like that since I first got my bike, so to see it actually happen didn't really hit me until way later. By then, I was doing multiple customs a week, and it's been nonstop ever since. Now, when I see the work, I am just honored to get to do this. To be able to create freely with such incredible humans is pretty remarkable. I don't know if I will ever get used to it. Jess King is the perfect muse. She was the first one to take a chance on me when I had nothing. I hadn't dressed anyone with a large following, and she must have known that we are the same amount of weird from the first DM I ever sent her. One of the many things I love about Jess is she just lets me be me. She gives me full creative rein. She will call me and tell me she has this artist ride or a specialty class coming up with a theme, and she lets me run with it. Having her as the muse for my collab collection makes that process so easy, because I know she is down to wear anything. Not many people are like that, so when I was creating this collection, I kept thinking of her and how ambitious I want my customers to be when it comes to activewear. Jess always wants me to get funky and push the design, so this collection shouldn't be anything different. I mean, if I am doing something subtle, what makes me different than other activewear designers out there? Having her in the back of my mind helped push the envelope with all the exciting styles in this lineup."If I am doing something subtle, what makes me different than other activewear designers out there?"
[Allen] is a sister to me. We have become best friends, and it has been the most enjoyable, reliable, fun friendship and relationship. It's amazing because we get to be friends in our personal lives, but at the same time we get to create together, which is such a deep passion we both share. I feel like Bri's brand just matches mine on the bike and the tread. It's energetic, bold, electric, shiny, glittery, and flirty. When I have something on that's so fun and colorful, it just makes me feel energized.
Designing for Peloton: A Dream Collaboration
Fast forward to today, and Allen has made countless custom outfits for King and her colleagues, some of which directly inspired the newly launched inclusive apparel and accessories she designed for members and instructors alike. "I definitely didn't see that coming. I mean, I was starstruck from just getting a DM response back," Allen told POPSUGAR of this collaboration, which still feels surreal. Her 19-piece line, which debuted during a runway show at Peloton Studios on Sept. 29 and immediately became shoppable online, is gender-neutral, reflective of both women's vibrant and expressive aesthetics, and incredibly fashion-forward, meaning you can wear the clothes to the gym, to brunch, or both. "For this collection, I just wanted to create something for everyone and give lifestyle, active, and comfort with a whole new inspiration. The entire collection has the DNA of Peloton apparel, and I think that is what makes it a truly successful collaboration. No one had to sacrifice anything aesthetically," Allen said. She still finds it hard to believe the fitness company wanted to partner with a small business in the first place and tried not to get her hopes up when the conversation started. But Allen is recognizably a star in her own right and, as King describes her, a true artist. Ahead, read POPSUGAR's interview with Allen and King to learn more about the inspiration behind the collection and how their friendship blossomed into a project that's not just for the runway but for the entire Peloton community.
[Allen] runs her shop by herself. All her designs are custom-made by hand. I think it's incredible. Remember, this is a Peloton member . . . and this [journey] started with somebody who's on the bike taking classes with us and living her life. The fact that we are now here and collaborating is almost like musically collaborating with an indie artist who's No. 1 on the pop charts. We have decided to work with one of our own and allow the energy, joy, and excitement behind both parties to finally come together. Nothing like this has ever come through the Peloton apparel before. This is the first time you're going to see prints like these with a high-fashion element. From [Allen's] top-stitching to her fabric choices, it's clear this woman understands the runway. "This [journey] started with somebody who's on the bike taking classes with us and living her life."
The Peloton Collection: Style and Versatility
I am jazzed about every single piece in the collection. I'm really excited about the pink bra and the pink cargo short, because it's such a fun color that really pops on the screen. And then Bri also made this cargo jacket that I'm gonna wear every single day. It's a perfect material. It's lightweight, but it's like elevated athleisure. Even though it's athleticwear and I'm going to get sweaty and work hard, I also feel like I'm in couture. The hero pieces of the collection are the sequin hoodie and the cargo jacket. But let's face it, the hoodie is for after the gym to throw on and go about your day. Usually that part of someone's daily regimen doesn't look as high fashion, but we found a way to do it. The cargo jacket, on the other hand, is extremely versatile, and I don't think there is anything our consumers can't do in this jacket. It's absolute perfection.
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To create a collection and try to meet the demands and desires of all customers is tough. It's often that you either sacrifice something that the customer may want because it isn't your aesthetic, or you are sacrificing your DNA just to be more commercial. I wanted to fight this pick-and-choose from the very start. My goal was to create a collection that was extremely cohesive, in which almost everyone could find something that they loved. When I create customs for the instructors, I am not having to think of multiple people. I am channeling the style of the instructor, their point of view, and just marrying that with my active expertise in design. It's much more a conceptual process that results in a one-of-one. Usually with classes, we also have themes or specialty rides. With this collection, it was truly creating anything I wanted from scratch. "It's really surprising how you can take everyday ready-to-wear or high-fashion trends and still apply it to activewear."
I have to admit, I think most of the activewear in the market today is super boring. I found a really incredible brand I loved a few years back, and they were insane with their fits and prints. They shut their doors not too long after [I discovered them]. It was one of those moments that I realized people don't want just neutral activewear. That was made evident during the pandemic when people were starved for exciting fashion they could wear at home. Right now, fashionable activewear is giving consumers something completely different that isn't what they are used to seeing over and over on the racks of other brands. Sometimes, consumers want to be inspired to get up and move their body, and I want to be able to do that through loud and exciting clothing. Fashionable activewear to me features key colors, new prints, and interesting hardware. It's really surprising how you can take everyday ready-to-wear or high-fashion trends and still apply it to activewear. In my opinion, that's what makes the pieces more versatile and not just for the gym. Still, we were really wise as to where we placed all the trims, hardware, and decorative details. Nothing is put in a place where it may feel uncomfortable or in the way during movement. The butterfly has always been a part of my brand, and it was a way I could bring that into this collection while not making it the main focus. The butterfly is actually part of my logo, so marrying the butterfly and "P" for Peloton was the most iconic way to merge the logos to represent our collab. The butterfly is such a strong symbol for transformation, growth, and transition. It's something I feel like I am doing on the daily.
Weight Loss, Fitness, and Wellness
Brittany also talks about her own recent fitness and weight loss journey and how she’s finally starting to feel comfortable in her own skin again! Brittany's weight challenges and her high demand fashion job. Her current regimen for strength training and how she cut alcohol to hit her goals.
Balancing Act: Work/Life and Self-Care
Work/Life balance: how Brittany implements self care and the challenges finding balance as a business owner.
A Symbol of Transformation: The Butterfly
The butterfly has always been a part of my brand, and it was a way I could bring that into this collection while not making it the main focus. The butterfly is actually part of my logo, so marrying the butterfly and "P" for Peloton was the most iconic way to merge the logos to represent our collab. The butterfly is such a strong symbol for transformation, growth, and transition. It's something I feel like I am doing on the daily.
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Intestinal Malrotation Diagnosis
I discovered last week that I have what’s called intestinal malrotation, a congenital anomaly that is extremely rare to discover in adults. Basically, my intestines are not where they should be. They’ve been hanging out in limbo since around 9 weeks gestation. And it’s truly a miracle from God that I have not had a bowel obstruction to this point. He is the Sustainer of life. I’m being referred to a surgeon as typically a surgery is done to untwist the intestines and put them in a better place. It may seem odd, but I am incredibly relieved. I finally know what’s wrong with me. I have felt so many emotions over the last few days regarding this diagnosis. But the one that stands out most is gratitude. I am so thankful to God for this answer to the prayer for a diagnosis I was scared to pray. For his faithfulness in my unbelief that healing would ever be possible. I’d appreciate prayer as we meet with a surgeon and that we’d be able to meet with one in a timely manner. Life is crazy sometimes.