No sweat! Meet the ethical activewear brand that’s bringing their A-game, sustainably

Here’s a question: who decided that natural fibres aren’t a great fit in activewear? For Geraldton mum-of-four Jade Payne, that question became paramount after a health diagnosis made her more conscious of what she was putting on her body. The activewear market seemed to have one main answer for performance: synthetic fabrics (often in sizes that weren’t all that inclusive). But Jade wondered if there was another way – something that felt better, fit better, and didn’t compromise on sustainability or performance. Enter WildBody: Australia’s newest size-inclusive (4-22) sustainable activewear brand. All items in the range are made from 88% GOTS-certified organic cotton and dyed with OEKO-TEX certified colours. Just launched in November, it’s gym wear that works with your body, not against it – or the planet. We spoke to Jade about making it happen.

(JADE ABOVE RIGHT) PHOTOS: SAFIRE STUDIOS

Hi Jade! Can you tell us what planted the seed for WildBody?

It really began with my own health journey. I was 33 and a mum of four when a cancer diagnosis made me start questioning everything I put in and on my body. When I looked at my activewear drawer, I realised nearly every piece was made from petroleum-based synthetics. The few alternatives I could find weren’t squat-proof, flattering or built for performance.

That’s when I saw the gap: a chance to combine organic cotton with true functionality. And as I looked deeper, I noticed most brands stopped at a size 14 or 16. As a mother of two daughters, that didn’t sit right with me. I don’t want them to grow up thinking activewear – or movement – is only for certain body types. I knew inclusivity had to be built in from day one, not added later.

WildBody was born from that vision: to create high-performing, size-inclusive activewear that celebrates every body.

What was the journey like, from concept to launch? 

I came up with the idea in February, so it’s been a fast but very intentional journey. From day one, I knew we were challenging the norm: proving that organic cotton could perform and that size inclusivity should be standard, not an afterthought.

I reached out to almost 50 manufacturers and most said no. They told me organic fabrics couldn’t meet performance standards, or that starting with 10 sizes just wasn’t realistic for a new brand. But that only made me more determined to prove it could be done.

To speed up the process, I actually flew to China to finish the sampling on the ground. It meant I could make adjustments in real time: fine-tune the fit, fix issues and ensure every detail met our standards. Without that trip, we wouldn’t be launching for another six months.

It’s been intense but incredibly rewarding. Every “no” along the way reinforced that WildBody is filling a space that truly needs to exist, offering organic activewear that’s made with integrity.

Can you tell us more about the range?

Every piece has been designed to move with you – not against you. The collection includes leggings, crops, tanks and tees. Our leggings and crops are made from a custom blend using 88% GOTS-certified organic cotton. The tees are 100% organic cotton and offer a more relaxed, everyday fit.

All fabrics are dyed with OEKO-TEX-certified colours and are free of harsh chemicals, so they’re gentle on the skin – even during movement. The aesthetic is clean, neutral and timeless; they’re pieces you can wear from your workout to school drop-off and coffee catch-ups. It’s activewear built for real women and real life: it’s high-performing, consciously made and size-inclusive, ranging from size 4 to 22. 

You mention that your sizes are custom graded. Can you explain more about that? 

It means every piece was individually patterned and fitted, not just scaled up. It’s slower and more complex, but it ensures every woman gets the same performance, comfort and confidence – no compromises.

Can activewear made from materials other than petroleum-based fabrics be as efficient as other workout gear?  

Absolutely! WildBody is proof of that. The idea that performance comes from plastic is outdated. Our organic-cotton blend has been engineered and tested to deliver the same support, stretch and durability as synthetics, without the microplastics and environmental cost.

Efficiency isn’t just about how a fabric performs in the gym; it’s also about how it performs for you and the planet. WildBody pieces are fully squat-proof, breathable and built to move – proving that natural fibres can perform beautifully when designed with intention.

Efficiency isn’t just about how a fabric performs in the gym; it’s also about how it performs for you and the planet.

How difficult was it to find the right suppliers?

It was definitely one of the biggest challenges and one of the most important parts of the process. From the beginning, I was committed to finding partners who shared WildBody’s values around ethics, sustainability and quality.

A lot of manufacturers simply weren’t equipped or willing to work with GOTS-certified organic cotton for performance wear. Many said it couldn’t meet the technical standards or consistency required for activewear. But I refused to compromise. 

After months of searching, sampling and plenty of “nos”, I found a team that understood what we were trying to build. They hold GOTS and OEKO-TEX certifications, operate under fair working conditions and share our attention to detail. Working closely with them and visiting in person has been key to getting WildBody’s fabric and fit exactly right.

Do you have a favourite piece from the collection?

I actually have two. The Seamfree Leggings are my go-to – there’s no front seam and they have deep pockets and a supportive waistband that feels secure without digging in. They’re designed to move with you and stay put, no matter what you’re doing.

Then there’s the Rise Tank, which I’m especially proud of. I’ve always hated wearing a separate bra and top, so I created a two-in-one design with a high neckline and built-in support. The internal bra is made from three layers of our GOTS-certified organic-cotton blend, so it feels soft, breathable and structured; there’s no digging, no spill – just comfort and confidence.

This article was created in partnership with our friends at WildBody. Founded in Geraldton, WA, by Jade Payne, WildBody is redefining activewear with purpose. To read more about WildBody and explore their range of activewear visit their website.