OHLA ACTIVE® began long before the first garment was made.

I moved from Chile to Australia in my late twenties — without speaking English, without family nearby, with no idea where the journey would lead. Like many people starting over in a new country, I experienced anxiety, homesickness, and a loss of routine. Movement and yoga became my anchor. They gave me structure, calm, and a sense of belonging when everything else felt unfamiliar.

Before founding OHLA, I studied Fashion Design and developed a deep appreciation for fabrics, fit, and garment construction. Combining that with my passion for wellness is what led me here.

Being from Chile, I'd also witnessed one of the largest textile landfills in the world, in the Atacama Desert. That experience shaped a belief I still hold: clothing should never end up as waste, and fashion has to move away from fast consumption and disposable culture.

Through my daily practice and years in fashion, I saw a gap. Most activewear focused on performance and appearance — very few considered how clothing actually feels on your body, or what it's made from. I wanted pieces that felt soft, grounding, and comfortable. Clothing you could wear from a slow morning coffee to Pilates, from a coastal walk to everyday life.

OHLA ACTIVE® was created from that intention.

Our fabrics are chosen with purpose. We use LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibres and OCS-certified organic cotton for their thoughtful approach to material sourcing and a more conscious use of resources. Our fabrics are OEKO-TEX® certified, meaning they have been tested for harmful substances.

Our packaging is recycled and compostable, supplied by Australian partners Hero Packaging and Heaps Good Packaging.

We manufacture with a Bali-based partners chosen specifically for their ethical labour practices — wages well above the local average, full health insurance extended to workers' families, and a standing monthly contribution to a local community program supporting mothers and children with healthcare, education, and safe housing.

Today, OHLA ACTIVE® remains small and independent. Every collection is made in small batches, and I'm personally involved in every stage — from fabric selection and fit development to design and production.

OHLA® is more than activewear. It's clothing for real life. For slow mornings, movement, travel, and everyday rituals.

Thank you for being here, and for supporting something created with intention.

With love,
Fran 🤍