Teal Kealohi Salvador, a designer from ‘Aiea, sees her activewear brand, Active by Teal, flourish by celebrating body positivity and functionality.
Teal Kealohi Salvador, a 28-year-old designer from ‘Aiea, has seen her activewear line, Active by Teal, gain significant traction since its launch in 2022. Influenced by her background in design, Salvador has developed a brand that resonates with fitness enthusiasts and advocates for body positivity.
From a young age, Salvador was immersed in the world of design and entrepreneurship. She credits her father, a lead designer for Crazy Shirts and the owner of his own company, Nalu Blue, for instilling in her a passion for creativity and fashion. “I worked for him since I was 8, 9, 10 years old, and by the time I was 12 to 14, I was packing orders, doing invoices and helping at craft fairs. So, from that age I knew I wanted to get into something similar,” Salvador said.
An active lifestyle has always been a part of Salvador’s routine, incorporating gym workouts, yoga, Pilates, and hiking into her daily schedule. She utilized this personal passion to create a line of activewear, believing there was a niche market for functional yet stylish workout clothing. “I thought, maybe I can do activewear,” she reflected.
Salvador’s first collection featured a jumpsuit that became a standout piece, selling out within a month of release. This success validated her vision, leading her to continue focusing on designs that accommodate and celebrate the natural body shape. According to Salvador, “When designing them, I wanted something that would shape to your body and follow your curves rather than squish you in.” Her latest jumpsuit, named Aura, showcased this philosophy, selling out in just 30 minutes after launch.
Witnessing her designs worn in public has been a particularly rewarding experience for Salvador. “It’s the best feeling ever when I see a girl at the gym, at the mall or a coffee shop [in my design],” she expressed. Many customers have expressed gratitude for her work, sharing how confident they feel in her pieces, which aligns with one of her primary goals—promoting body positivity.
Looking ahead, Salvador has plans to expand her product line with new swimwear set to launch by summer. She also aims to venture into ready-to-wear options, exploring designs such as button-downs, flowy pants, oversized cargo pieces, and skirts that can complement her jumpsuits and bodysuits. Additionally, she is working on a collaboration with the brand Fighting Eel.
Active by Teal continues to represent Salvador’s dedication to fitness and body positivity while carving a unique space in the activewear market in Hawaii.
Source: Noah Wire Services
