What does your typical day look like?

Up at 6 am, work out between 6.45-7.45. I Skype my sisters in New Zealand or Australia often as I have breakfast and go to the office. I am usually at LH HQ at 8.30 and responding to emails. By 9am when the team arrives the day gets very busy.

Most of my day is adding input to all departments: marketing, sales, web, distribution, PR and design and production.

I have lunch at my desk or sometimes a lunch meeting at a restaurant. When I am designing often I work from home to get some quiet space. I usually finish at 6.30/ 7 and either my husband or I cook. He is gluten and dairy intolerant and has since become a very good, healthy cook. I don’t enjoy TV and often have a bath to try to switch off, or listen to an audio book. I am usually asleep by 10.

What do you have for breakfast?

Kiwifruit and a very weak latte followed by either gluten-free muesli with almond milk, a shake, or sometimes eggs and avocado.

How do you sweat? 

 I usually work out 4-5 days a week and every day of the week is different. I rotate between these:

-Personal training session with Dalton Wong

-Heartcore Reformer Pilates class

-Free weights or mat work at Equinox or Virgin Active

-Run or a walk in Hyde Park

-Helle Hammonds session at Gym Class

-Barry’s Bootcamp

-BarreCore Class

 Your most treasured fit kit item?

 I love the Lucas Hugh Core Cross Back Tank with built in sports bra. I have them in all colours and they go with my massive variety of Lucas Hugh leggings, perfect for the gym and classes because it’s an all in one with a flattering neck shape.

What does your workspace look like?

The whole office is very minimal: white desks and walls and skylights. We only really moved in to our larger space this year and are yet to add the Lucas Hugh detail. I have my own office. I have a lot of magazines and books stacked and collection plans and yearly planners on the walls. I have a big white desk with healing crystals by my over-sized Apple computer to try and balance the energy. It’s covered in sketchbooks, my diary, Frends headset, iPhone and water bottle.

What inspired you to start Lucas Hugh?

I was designing swimwear for 15 years before launching Lucas Hugh. It felt like a very natural progression to move into activewear – working with similar fabrics and body forming fits. I have always been a very active person and really felt there was something missing from the market when I started working on the brand in 2007.

The idea for LUCAS HUGH came when I was on holiday and I got locked out of my hotel room after working out at the gym. I had to go to the reception to get a new key in my gym clothes and thought; why is there no beautiful, technical activewear you can walk around in and still feel smart?

 Why did you call your brand Lucas Hugh?

LUCAS HUGH is named after my two grandfathers. Lucas – my New Zealand Grandfather was really into fitness, and my British Grandfather was a thinker. To me they represent mind and body.

 Where is your favourite place in London to grab supper?

 Electric House.

 And your go-to juice bar?

 I usually order juice delivery from Radiance or Plenish.

 What is your favourite workout track?

 It changes all the time. Currently I am listening to: Firefly by Mura Masa ft Nao.

 What book are you currently reading?

Syd Mead, Sentury II. I listen to a lot of audio books or podcasts. I am currently listening to HBR IdeaCast.

 Favourite place to escape to?

 New Zealand or Capetown.

 What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

 If you are going to achieve excellence in anything you need to focus on improving your own personal best.

What trend do you see coming next in activewear?

I can’t comment on the market or other brands but for Lucas Hugh’s SS16 Collection it’s full of bright colour blocks. The collection is called Electric Feel, named after the song, but also the print is like a lightening bolt. The colours are Azure, Magento and Orange with contrasting aqua blue details. It’s really fun and energetic. There are also some really good ‘to and from’ pieces like our fleece poncho, which I am sure I will live in.

What’s next for the brand?

We are re-launching our international online store early next year, with online exclusives including accessories: bags, caps and ultimately shoes.

FITSPO: Kayla Itsines | Faya Of Fitness On Toast