ZüPERS

Homebase: Seattle, WA

OWNER/DESIGNER: Wendy Feller

Sizes: 6 months to 6X with sizes 7-14 coming soon; Wholesale prices: $16 for solids, $18 for prints, $2 for additional knee pads

"Züpers is not just about leggings. It's about empowering and inspiring girls of all ages to be strong, powerful and active."

What do you do with a girly-girl who doesn't mind getting down and dirty? That was the question Wendy Feller was faced with when her toddler daughter took to the playground. The former sweater designer, who sold for retailers such as Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue, and the creator of Smittens (smittens.biz), found a solution: leggings with removable kneepads. Of course! Feller launched Züpers in Fall '09.

"One day, as I was waiting for a friend to go for a walk, and while watching runners go by, I had an "AH-HA" moment. I thought, why not make tights with durable kneepads to protect my daughter's knees and prevent rips? That way, she could still wear her dresses and skirts and not be afraid to be active. After realizing it was too difficult to add padding to tights, my concept of empowering little girls to be fearless and brave changed to leggings, which turned out to be the better way to go." 

Unlike most leggings on the market, Züpers' fabric is similar to that used for many yoga collections. The multitasking material is soft, durable and rip-resistant, SPF 50, and it has great memory so knees won't bag. Add to that moisture wicking properties and a 20-minute drying time (you can swim in them!) and you've got one super Züper! The heart-shaped knee pad, removable from the inside, is made of thin, waterproof Neoprene adding cushy yet not bulky protection for the knee. Additional knee pads can be ordered separately.

Züpers girl leggings

Leggings are perfect for the colder months

Züpers' first collection consists of four groups in a basic long legging shape: two floral prints available in different colorways; a group with several animal patterns; one with denim, tie-dye, dots and mod squares; and another with rich solid tones. Each group has contrasting stitching. Feller is especially proud of the "secret treasure pocket. I added this design feature because I realized that when girls wear dresses and tights or leggings, they don't often have pockets to stuff their treasures into. In keeping with this idea, Züpers comes packaged in a recyclable cardboard treasure 'purse', which girls can decorate and put all their treasures in."

The Treasure Purse

What's coming up? Feller plans on extending the size range to 14 and adding Capri lengths, wider leg options and trim details to future collections.

Tel: 206.300.7791   

E-mail: info@zupergirls.com

www.zupergirls.com

Originally published December 28, 2009