Pruzan: By Runners, For Runners

Tomorrow is the annual London Marathon, when the healthiest, the most philanthropic or both will hit the streets and run, walk or jog for 26.2 miles. To celebrate the marathon, sportswear brand Pruzan opened a two week pop-up alongside Archive DNA.

The exhibition, titled London Roads: A History of Running and Sneakers features five history and culture defining trainers. There are the 1985 track spikes worn and signed by Steve Cram, the first man to run 1500m in under 3:30 and one of the first British athletes to be sponsored by Nike. There is a pair of the 3D printed Zoom Vaporflys, one of only 50 ever made to celebrate the 2018 London marathon. It’s a celebration of Archive DNA’s love of sportswear history and Pruzan’s ethos of creating pieces that stand the test of time.

Pruzan was founded by two friends who met at uni and bonded over their love of running and frustration with running clothes that weren’t fit for purpose. In October 2022 the pair launched Pruzan; a size inclusive, unisex and environmentally conscious sportswear brand. 

I am not a runner (although a marathon is on my bucket list), so it’s not the running aspect that I find most interesting about Pruzan. Instead, it is the community of running enthusiasts that they are both tapping into and cultivating. As a sport, running at its core is extremely simple to start. Yes, there is technique involved, but it is also just one foot in front of the other. Thus, it attracts a diverse group of people that sometimes only have this one thing in common.

Pruzan co-founders Lexy and Jessie have this inviting community feel at the core of everything they do. From the creative direction and gender inclusivity to the palpable energy at their pop up shop and ignoring the traditional fashion calendar. Everything is for people like them that want high style, purpose driven sportswear that is appropriate for city running. Pruzan achieves this in an effortless, stylish way, avoiding overt labelling and the harsh colours that are often synonymous with running sportswear.

Launching the new Grenadine colourway at the start of spring in London, is another perfectly executed intentional move to attract and encourage aspiring runners to start running in the city and engage with the well established runners who will finally no longer have to face the London cold on their runs. Every aspect of their brand is well thought out. From the design of shorts that are sexy but not so short that the wearer feels exposed, to the colour choices that are bright but not garish.

Fashion is art and self expression. Sport is art and consciously connecting your mind and body. To see these two often conflicting art forms come together seamlessly is beautiful. This, above all, is what life and fashion is all about, connection, community and self-expression.

For those of you running or supporting runners in the marathon tomorrow, good luck and tag us @guapmag on twitter and instagram to show us your looks! 

Read more fashion content from GUAP here.