From Maya Jama to Daphne Guinness: why fashion loves pilates
STYLING GEORGIA MEDLEY
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR MARSHA LINDSAY
INTERVIEWS ERICA RANA
A century after it was first developed, Pilates has become fashion’s favorite form of exercise. As the practice celebrates its 100th anniversary, we meet the women who have made core control a way of life.
MAYA WEARS SILK ALL-IN-ONE, ERES. NYLON-MIX SOCKS, ALO.
MAYA WEARS TWEED JACKET, WOOL AND SILK BRIEFS, SUEDE AND PATENT-LEATHER SHOES, AND LEATHER AND METAL BAG, ALL CHANEL
MAYA WEARS LEATHER JACKET, COTTON BODYSUIT, AND PATENT-LEATHER SHOES, ALL GIVENCHY BY SARAH BURTON
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MAYA JAMA
Im the one in class whos always late and chats shit during it. If I cant do the moves, Ill entertain the rest of the class. Having a workout to look forward to not one that you dread is a great feeling. The community that comes with the class is also great. You leave thinking, Wow, I did something amazing for my body, and I also got to see people I really love. I try to wear a matching set when I do Pilates because if I want to go to lunch afterwards, my outfit feeds into the day. In my class, we all made Pilates playlists. It was a lot of pressure because I used to be on the radio. Ive got some Vybz Kartel on there. I used to party and go out dancing loads; that was my main source of fitness. Now that Im 31, Im calming down, but my body yearns to move.
DAPHNE WEARS ALL-IN-ONE, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, AND SHOES, NORITAKA TATEHANA, BOTH DAPHNES OWN
DAPHNE WEARS ALL-IN-ONE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, AND SUNGLASSES, JACQUES MARIE MAGE, BOTH DAPHNES OWN
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DAPHNE WEARS ALL-IN-ONE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, SUNGLASSES, JACQUES MARIE MAGE, AND SHOES, NORITAKA TATEHANA, ALL DAPHNES OWN.
DAPHNE WEARS ALL-IN-ONE, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, AND SHOES, NORITAKA TATEHANA, BOTH DAPHNES OWN
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DAPHNE GUINNESS
I got into Pilates when I was 16. There was a studio in South Kensington which was opposite the tube station. What I remember very well from my first time was that people much older than me looked like they were in such great shape. Pilates also inspires my creativity. I write a lot when Im exercising; tunes come into my head. This conversation is reminding me why I got into Pilates in the first place. Ive pretty much exercised my whole life; its not that I want to be super fit, its really about the headspace. Apart from drinking water, movement is the most important thing you can do. It sounds boring, but its true.
MAYA WEARS LEATHER JACKET, COTTON BODYSUIT, AND PATENT-LEATHER SHOES, ALL GIVENCHY BY SARAH BURTONCOLEEN WEARS NYLON TOP, ALO. FRINGED SKIRT, AND GLASS AND RUBBER SHOES, BOTH BOTTEGA VENETA.
SILK CARDIGAN, TOP AND BRIEFS, ALL FENDI. LEATHER SHOES, FERRARI
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COLEEN ROONEY
I started reformer Pilates nearly 12 years ago. I went to a physio because I was suffering with my lower back, which I thought was from pregnancy. The physio ran a Pilates studio, and thats how I got into it. When Im on that bed for an hour, I just switch off. Youre not picking up your phone or thinking about what youre doing after that class. Ive always had fitness in my life because my body needs it and benefits from stretching, especially as Im getting older. Movement keeps you young. Now, especially as Ive got four boys, I feel like I can keep up with them.
JAN WEARS MODAL SWEATSHIRT, NOW YOU LIVE. NYLON BRIEFS, SKIMS. NYLON TIGHTS, FALKE. NYLON-MIX SOCKS, ALO.
FIL-COUP JACKET, SILK SKIRT, AND LEATHER SHOES, ALL CHANEL
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JAN DE VILLENEUVE
Growing up, I wasnt sporty at all. I got a C in PE, which was so embarrassing because my mum was a PE teacher. So, Im not a Pilates expert; I have a one-to-one teacher who I practice with. Its just me and my machine. But, at my age I just turned 82 it makes the whole body feel good. Ive got a movement disorder, but Pilates makes me feel like everything has been moved. After a Pilates session, I feel physically fulfilled. Im not too concerned with how good I am at it, I just want to get through it. Pilates wasnt around when I was younger, but now the idea of having something like this is important and Im so happy to do it.
EMMA WEARS RAFFIA TOP, AND WOOL AND SATIN PANTS, BOTH ROKSANDA. SUNGLASSES, EMMAS OWN.
EMMA WEARS DRESS, EMMAS OWN
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EMMA THYNN
The Pilates studio is my second home. I literally plan my life around my class otherwise I get FOMP fear of missing Pilates. The reformer is a thing of absolute mystery and chaos. There is always a spring or attachment that I havent used: Its incredible. I always shut my eyes in class and I often wear my sunglasses. You really have to focus and you cant allow distraction. Im not a very patient person, but Pilates makes me have patience with myself. Its grounding and challenging. Theres a phrase I heard once that says, You dont have to, you get to. It applies to Pilates. Arent we lucky to have the space, community, time and physical ability to come and do this?
YASMIN WEARS SYNTHETIC-MIX ALL-IN-ONE AND HEADBAND, BOTH ALO
YASMIN WEARS NYLON-MIX BRA TOP AND LEGGINGS, BOTH ALO.
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YASMIN FINNEY
Pilates gives you confidence. Its not a pretentious or judgmental environment. Keeping up with fitness can become a lot when youre out on the weekends and working in the week. Its good to embed some healthy regimes into your routine that can ground you. Theres a risk of trying to be fit and healthy for the wrong reasons. You can look at social media and get lost. I think you need to do it for you, and thats what Im learning to do. If you want to eat a burger, eat a burger. If you want to do Pilates, do Pilates. Do you. Pilates has helped me create a healthy balance between myself and my health goals.
PHOTOGRAPHY ALEC MAXWELL
STYLING GEORGIA MEDLEY AT ARCH
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR MARSHA LINDSAY
HAIR PATRICK WILSON AT THE WALL GROUP USING BUMBLE AND BUMBLE
HAIR FOR DAPHNE GUINNESS TOM BERRY USING ORIBE
MAKEUP HILA KARMAND AT ARCH
MAKEUP FOR DAPHNE GUINNESS TERRY BARBER AT DAVID ARTISTS USING MAC COSMETICS
NAILS ABENA ROBINSON AT AGENCY41
PRODUCTION TOM HARDERN
STYLING ASSISTANTS ALICE DENCH, MOLLIE FRENCH
HAIR ASSISTANT ROGERIO DA SILVA
MAKEUP ASSISTANT CASSANDRA SCALIA
NAILS ASSISTANT PINAR SYLVA
DIGITECH ALJA HABJAN.
LIGHTING TECHS SAM JUPP, SCOTT ARCHIBALD
RETOUCH SIMON INGS AT COCOON CREATIVE
LOCATION YOU STUDIO, LONDON
PILATES EQUIPMENT BY MERRITHEW
SPECIAL THANKS TO NOBU PILATES AT NOBU HOTEL LONDON PORTMAN SQUARE
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