Varley
Varley is a women's activewear and lifestyle brand founded in 2012 by Lara and Ben Mead, with roots in London and Los Angeles. It makes leggings, sports bras, sweats and knitwear for everyday wear and movement.
| Founded | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Lara and Ben Mead |
| Offices | London and Los Angeles |
| Focus | Women's activewear and lifestyle |
| Website | varley.com |
What is Varley?
Varley is a women's fashion brand rooted in movement, offering an elevated everyday wardrobe that spans activewear, sweats and knitwear. It describes its proposition as a wardrobe for how you live and move.
History
Varley was founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Lara and Ben Mead, who divided their time between Europe and the United States. It launched as a swimwear line before moving into activewear, with offices in London and Los Angeles. Its early positioning blended London style with a California sensibility, aiming to bridge streetwear and gymwear.
Products and positioning
Early collections were built around compression tights in bold prints such as marble, leopard and python, together with sports bras, technical sweats and t-shirts. The current range includes:
- DoubleSoft pieces and activewear
- Sweaters and knitwear
- Sherpa, fleece and sweatshirts
- Rain coats, outerwear and trousers
Distribution
Varley built a large wholesale business early on, with accounts including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and John Lewis as well as online retailers. It also sells through its own e-commerce and its own stores.
Why it matters
Varley is one of the brands that turned activewear into a wider fashion and lifestyle offer, moving from performance leggings into a full everyday wardrobe.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Varley?
Varley was founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Lara and Ben Mead.
What does Varley sell?
Varley sells women's activewear and lifestyle clothing, including leggings, sports bras, sweatshirts, knitwear and outerwear.