Episode Details

🎙️ In this episode of The Fashion Translator, Claire Lys speaks with Mitchella Gilbert, Founder of OYA Apparel, about designing clothing for real conditions — where performance is directly tied to environment, health, and function.

Most apparel is developed within controlled parameters, optimized for appearance or perceived performance. But for individuals operating in high-intensity environments — military, medical, or physically demanding roles — the reality is different. Constant exposure to heat, sweat, and friction creates conditions that most products are not built to withstand.

From moisture management systems to wear studies across military and high-performance environments, the conversation explores how apparel shifts from product to functional gear — designed to support the body under pressure.

We explore:• Why moisture — not movement — is the core issue in performance apparel• How fabrics and chemicals directly impact skin health over time• What military and real-world testing reveals about product performance• Why most apparel fails under real conditions• How systems and processes enable product scalability

Designing for real-world conditions reframes apparel from aesthetic product to operational tool — where performance, health, and system thinking intersect.

Guest:

👤 Mitchella Gilbert🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchellagilbert/

Brand:

🌐https://wearoya.com/🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearoya/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearoya/

✨ Connect with Claire Lys to explore how AI, systems, and innovation can support fashion brands — or to be featured on The Fashion Translator:https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-lys-bastien-wald/