MAIA ACTIVE

About MAIA ACTIVE

MAIA ACTIVE is a designer sportswear brand established in Shanghai in 2016, operating within the rapidly growing athleisure market. The company was co-founded by Lisa Ou and Mia Wang. Ou, a graduate of the prestigious Parsons School of Design, brought her experience from American fashion brands, while Wang had previously worked with industry giants like Victoria's Secret and Xiaohongshu. Their shared vision was to address a significant gap in the market: the lack of premium activewear tailored specifically to the silhouettes of Asian women.

The company's business model began as a direct-to-consumer (DTC) operation, primarily selling online. This strategy allowed MAIA ACTIVE to bypass traditional retail markups, invest more in product quality, and build a direct feedback loop with its customers. This customer-centric approach is a cornerstone of their product development, with designs reportedly undergoing numerous iterations based on consumer input. In 2019, after achieving substantial revenue, the company expanded into brick-and-mortar retail, opening direct-operated stores in high-end districts of major Chinese cities. This omnichannel presence combines the reach of e-commerce with the hands-on experience of physical retail, where customers can interact with the brand's unique materials in dedicated "Fabric Labs".

MAIA ACTIVE's core product offering includes yoga pants, sports bras, and other athletic apparel engineered for fit, comfort, and style. A key differentiator is its scientific approach to design, leveraging a proprietary sizing system developed in partnership with body-scanning leader ALVANON and creating custom technical fabrics. Signature products like the "waist-cinching leggings" and materials like the double-brushed "cloud-feel" fabric are engineered to provide a flattering fit and superior comfort during exercise. The brand targets style-conscious female consumers, typically aged 24-34, who are willing to invest in mid-priced, high-quality athletic wear. Following a series of successful funding rounds from investors including Sequoia Capital and Belle International, MAIA ACTIVE was acquired by Chinese sportswear conglomerate ANTA Sports in late 2023. This acquisition provides MAIA ACTIVE with access to ANTA's extensive supply chain and retail expertise to fuel its next phase of growth.