Episode 25 – Darren Seigel • TONA Activewear | Performance Leggings, Mental Health & Building a Radically Inclusive Brand

🎙️ In this episode of The Fashion Translator, Claire Lys sits down with Darren Seigel, Chief Business Development Officer at TONA Activewear, to explore how performance apparel can support mental well-being, confidence, and community — without compromising on fit, function, or comfort.Born from a deeply personal mission around mental health and suicide prevention, TONA set out to create what many brands never fully address: a truly high-performance legging that works for every body, stays supportive all day, and avoids harmful forever chemicals.This conversation explores:• How mental health became the foundation of TONA’s brand strategy• Why compression, fit, and fabric integrity matter more than trends• The hidden impact of PFAS and why “chemical-free” isn’t optional anymore• What radical size inclusivity really means — and why most brands fall short• How community, performance, and purpose can coexist in modern activewearIf you’re interested in mission-driven brands, performance apparel innovation, or how fashion can actively support well-being, this episode is for you.Guest:👤 Darren Seigel🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darren_seigel/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-seigel/Brand:🌐 https://tonaactive.com/en-ca🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonaactive/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tona-activewear/✨ Connect with Claire Lys to explore how AI, systems, and innovation can support fashion brands — or to be featured on The Fashion Translator: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clairelysbastienwald.substack.com