Behind the Scenes: Stories from Squash Apparel Creators
What does it take to create the perfect piece of squash apparel? Is it the fabric? The fit? The technology? The truth is, it’s all of that and so much more! Behind every shirt, pair of shorts, and custom club kit is a team of passionate creators, designers, and thinkers who live and breathe squash. It’s a story of collaboration, late-night ideas, and a shared love for the game! ✨
This journey isn’t just about making clothes. It's about engineering gear that empowers every player, from a junior picking up a racket for the first time to a world champion like Paul Coll battling for a title. We wanted to pull back the curtain and share some of the stories, challenges, and "aha!" moments that happen behind the scenes. This is a look into the heart and soul of our brand, fueled by community, innovation, and a relentless drive to be the best. Let’s dive in! 🚀
The Spark: More Than a Brand, a Mission
Every great story starts with an idea. Ours began with a simple but powerful question from our co-founder, Paul Coll: "How can we create gear that not only helps players win but also helps grow the sport we love?" This wasn’t about just putting a logo on a shirt. It was about building something with purpose.
From day one, our mission was twofold. First, to design the most technically advanced and comfortable squash apparel on the planet. Second, to build a brand that gives back, supporting the grassroots programs that nurture the next generation of champions. This dual mission is our "why." It's what gets us excited to come to work every day. It reminds us that every seam we sew and every fabric we test is part of a bigger movement to fuel the future of squash. It’s a commitment we share with every player who wears our gear.
Designing with a Champion: The Paul Coll Effect
Working with a world #1 squash player is the ultimate gear-testing advantage! Collaborating with Paul Coll is an incredible, unfiltered look into the mind of an elite athlete. It’s not about boardroom meetings; it’s about real, raw feedback straight from the court. One of our favorite stories comes from the early days of prototyping our four-way stretch shorts.
We had a design we thought was perfect—lightweight, breathable, and stylish. We sent the prototype to Paul, who was in the middle of a grueling training block. A few days later, we got a video call. He was on court, drenched in sweat, and he said, "The shorts are great, but on a full-stretch lunge to the front corner, I feel a slight pull right here." He pointed to a tiny spot on the outer thigh. That single comment sent us back to the drawing board!
We spent the next few weeks adjusting the pattern by millimeters, testing different seam constructions, and sending new versions back to him until he gave us the thumbs up. That’s the level of detail we obsess over. It's a process driven by a champion’s pursuit of perfection, and it ensures that if the gear can handle Paul’s game, it can empower yours. 💪
The "Aha!" Moment: Finding Our Silver Lining
Innovation often comes from unexpected places. We were on a quest to solve one of the biggest annoyances for any athlete: smelly gear. We tested countless antimicrobial treatments and fabric finishes, but nothing met our standards. They either washed out over time or felt unnatural against the skin.
The breakthrough came during a conversation with a textile engineer about advanced materials used in medicine and aerospace. They mentioned the natural power of pure silver to inhibit bacterial growth. A lightbulb went off! What if we didn't just coat the fabric, but integrated silver directly into the yarn itself?
The initial samples were mind-blowing. We created shirts with silver-plated yarn woven right in. After intense testing sessions, the gear stayed remarkably fresh. It wasn't a temporary coating; it was a permanent part of the fabric. This was our "aha!" moment. It was the perfect blend of high-tech innovation and a practical solution for real players. That dedication to finding the best possible solution is what drives us to keep pushing boundaries.
Sustainability isn't a Choice, It's a Commitment
Our passion for squash is matched by our passion for the planet. We knew from the start that we couldn't build a brand for the future without being responsible today. One of the biggest challenges was our commitment to waterless dyeing.
When we first explored full sublimation printing, many suppliers told us it was too complex and costly for performance sportswear. But when we saw the vibrant, permanent colors it produced without using a single drop of water, we knew we had to make it work. It took months of searching to find the right partners who shared our vision for sustainability.
There were moments of doubt, but our belief in doing the right thing kept us going. Today, our waterless dyeing process is one of the things we're most proud of. It’s proof that performance and purpose can coexist. It’s our promise to the community that we’re not just creating great gear but also protecting the world we all play in. 🌎
Inspired by Community: The Story of Custom Club Kits
Some of our best ideas come directly from you, our community! We started noticing that local clubs and junior teams wanted to create a unified, professional look but were struggling with the high minimum orders and limited design options offered by traditional suppliers.
A coach from a small New Zealand club reached out and asked, "Is there any way you could make just 15 shirts for our junior team? We want them to feel like pros when they step on the court." That email sparked a whole new direction for us. Thanks to our on-demand manufacturing model, we realized we could say "Yes!"
We worked with the coach to create a custom design featuring their club logo and colors. Seeing the photos of those kids beaming with pride in their new kits was one of the most rewarding moments for our team. It showed us that style and branding are powerful tools for building confidence and community spirit. Now, helping clubs create their identity is a core part of who we are. 🤝
Join Our Story!
Every piece of gear we create is filled with these stories of passion, collaboration, and innovation. It’s a journey that never ends, and it’s one we are so proud to share with you. Our team is a family of squash fanatics, and we pour that love into everything we do, from the first sketch to the final stitch.
Now, we want you to be part of our story! Your feedback, your passion, and your performance inspire us every single day.
Ready to experience gear that’s crafted with passion and tested by champions? Explore the collection and feel the difference for yourself. Let’s continue to champion the future of squash, together!
#Squash #BehindTheScenes #PerformanceWear #Innovation #Community