Whether you are working out in your backyard, or simply lounging around in-between Zoom meetings, athleisure has pretty much become the unofficial uniform of the pandemic. However, the monotony of tired stretched out leggings has likely gotten as old as the quarantine itself by now. For those looking to elevate their go-to look, with new patterns and an impeccable fit, there’s Ultracor. The company is run by husband and wife duo, Asha Kai and Michael Ball—with Asha acting as both Founder and CEO, and Michael helping with the technical side of the business. Ultracor’s array of prints, colors, and textures make the products stand out, yet it’s the brand’s tech-forward quality that has garnered it an impressive cult following of fans, celebrities, and fashion influencers alike. We connected with the founders to learn more about their unique approach to activewear, and the future of Ultracor.
Q: Tell us about your background and what inspired you to create Ultracor.
Asha: I worked at a very success premium denim company for several years, where I learned a lot about design, the development side of the fashion business, and production. So I took my experience there and applied my learnings to Ultracor. I was originally inspired to create the brand because back in 2015 there were not many options with a great fit and design on the market.
Michael: And Ultracor exceeded standards in both functionality and design—it’s luxury athleisure for a reason.
Q: What makes Ultracor stand out from other brands on the market?
Asha: Our fabrication, functionality, and the uniqueness of our prints. Because we do everything in-house (with a 2-3 week turnaround) we are able to create truly special styles—from our pixelation technology to digital printing—our look is very distinct and makes us stand out.
Q: What item are you best known for?
Michael: Leggings are the bread and butter of Ultracor, they’re definitely our best seller.
Asha: Specifically, our knockout leggings with stars bonded on them. They were actually one of our first products but still remain a bestseller. We’ve updated the colors, details, materials, and even did them with Swarovski crystals.
Michael: It’s a viral design.
Q: Who is the Ultracor customer?
Asha: It’s the fashionista who also cares about wellness. The girl who is interested in looking and feeling good. She’s wearing Ultracor everywhere: the store, the gym, to run errands, etc.
Q: What defines the Ultracor brand?
Michael: We’re a performance-product first. Our pieces hold up during the most rigorous workouts, and we believe they outlast other brands that are on the market. In terms of our philosophy, we value sustainability—we never overproduce—and also innovation.
Asha: Our tone is a mix between luxurious and feminine with an edge—we like a feminine-meets-masculine aesthetic. Our pieces can be dressed down or dressed up, they have style and a fashionable side to them, which our customers love.
Q: What is the takeaway you want fans and future clients to know?
Michael: We really look at the whole picture in terms of our business. It’s not just about making money—it’s about being responsible, sustainable, and finding new and efficient ways to produce products in the U.S. At the end of the day, we want the Ultracor girl to look great and perform her best no matter what she’s doing.
Asha: We’re like luxury athleisure’s best kept secret in a sense, but once people try us, they’re hooked because nothing fits or makes a woman’s body look as good as Ultracor.
Q: Any exciting new steps for Ultracor?
Michael: We recently launched our men’s line. There’s truly nothing like it on the market, and we’re looking forward to getting it out there.