Building Phidia in public.
I'm Xavier, 18, from Victoria. I've put years into building my physique, and I could never find gymwear that complemented it. Everything was shiny, loud or shapeless. So I'm making my own. This is every step, including the ones that went wrong.
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First payment sent. Samples underway.
Two payment apps knocked me back before the money finally went through. Small win, but the samples are being cut, printed and stitched now.
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Caught a stretched logo.
The print file had the φ 40% too wide. Fixed it back to 4 cm tall before a single screen was made. Proportion is the whole point of this brand.
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A label you won't feel.
Printed, tagless neck label. Care instructions, 85/15 fabric, designed in Victoria, made in Pakistan. Honest about where it's made.
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Mesh panels: cut.
The mesh looked good on paper. Held up against an arm, you could see straight through it. Side panels are now the same thick main fabric.
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The fabric.
Double-peached, 230 gsm, 85% polyester, 15% elastane. Thick, brushed and matte. No shine, no see-through.
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Tech pack, version six. Locked.
Six rounds of measurements, seams and print placement until every detail was right. No seams across the chest. Raglan sleeves. Side vents so it doesn't ride up.
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18 suppliers. One partner.
Quotes, fabric videos, flash tests and factory photos from China and Pakistan. Most were cut. One workshop in Sialkot stood out.
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Officially a business.
ABN approved, on the second try. Store built, domain bought.
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A name and a number.
Phidia, after Phidias, the sculptor of the Parthenon. φ, 1.618, the golden ratio and the shoulder-to-waist ratio of the V-taper.
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The idea.
Gym wear for people building the V-taper. Thick, matte, quiet. No loud logos.
Be there for Drop 01.
Get each new entry by email, and early access before Drop 01 opens to everyone.