Since 1972, AWMA has been on the frontlines of the martial arts industry, innovating everything from new designs to new markets. In keeping with that tradition, ProForce Sport® recently broke some new ground of its own with its first ever pop-up shop.
ProForce’s spinoff line hosted an event featuring art installations, classic martial arts weapons, drinks, and the latest athleisure styles from October 11-13 at Vena, a cutting edge boutique in Mexico City. This collaboration was born of friendship and a mutual passion for design. ProForce Sport’s mastermind, Christina Acevedo, met one of Vena’s owners, Josefina, when she was living in Los Angeles and they became close friends. Josefina was also an early supporter of Christina’s designs. And the feeling was mutual.
“Josefina is also a designer and has a great brand called Scent based in Mexico City,” Christina tells the AWMA Blog. “We found that our brands actually worked well being styled together. So it was only natural that we do a pop-up in Josefina and Paula’s store Vena in Mexico City.”
In addition to showcasing ProForce Sport’s chic and comfortable clothing, the event also featured a number of martial arts-themed design elements. Josefina had the idea to incorporate classic weapons like throwing stars and Sai from AWMA’s training weapons collection into their overall look. “Everything looked wonderful in Josefina‘s store because of all of the minimal chrome touches within the store’s design, and also the way in which everyone who works at Vena placed all the clothes and weapons,” Christina says. “We also did an installation with box TV sets and screened VHS Kung Fu films throughout the night along with a camcorder installation that was really fun to engage with.”
The end result looked amazing.
And it went over really well with everyone who attended in person, too. “We got a great response because so many of the items were unique and eye-catching.”
In some ways, running a martial arts pop up shop isn’t that different from competing: it takes a lot of prep and hard work, but it pays off with an amazing learning experience.
“Designing a store and doing an in-store installation takes a lot of time and energy. I have so much respect for people who do window installations and people who own stores! What an incredible amount of work it is mentally and physically,” Christina says.
And another way that it’s like a competition? Sometimes you can’t wait to try it again.
“There’s nothing in the works [right now], but it was a lot of fun to create a world based around the brand’s vibe,” Christina explains. “Josefina and I spoke about doing a pop-up each year to celebrate ProForce Sport. And I would totally do it locally in Philadelphia or New York if the opportunity presented itself.”
In the meantime, athleisure enthusiasts who missed out on the first pop-up can still browse and purchase all of the great ProForce Sport designs that were part of it online at AWMA.com. That includes some brand new products.
“We just launched a new black Muay Thai short with orange lettering, perfect for spooky season and the fall! Along with oversized hoodies with chain-link ninja prints on them! So get cozy and warm this season with those new hoodies and long sleeve chain-link ninja shirts.”
Christina’s also working on new designs — and new colors for ProForce Sport classics — that will drop next spring.
“Right now, we are dialling it back a bit with a classic brown pant based on the karate demo pant pattern, as well as long boxing shorts. And when I say long, I mean ultra long. We are throwing back to the classic boxing short look that goes below the knee. These shorts will come in a bunch of fun colors, including my favorite — and everyone else’s — pink!”
Pink and green versions of the brand’s trademark Muay Thai Shorts with bows are also in the pipeline.
Check our AWMA.com for more information.
And while the website might not be able to recreate all of the magic of the pop up, you can browse through the training weapons section and look at AWMA’s selection of throwing stars and Sai to add a little bit of ambience.
