Banker to Breakthrough: Rethinking Performance Wear for a Healthier Planet with Mary Bemis, Reprise Activewear
From Plastic Closet to Plant-Based Fashion: How Mary Bemis is Changing Activewear from the Inside Out
On a recent episode of The Wild Party Podcast, we sat down with Mary Bemis, the founder of Reprise Activewear, a brand leading the charge in nontoxic, plant-based performance wear. Her journey from finance burnout to sustainability trailblazer is anything but ordinary, and it all started with a closet cleanout.
“I was reselling clothes on Poshmark, trying to make space after moving into a smaller apartment,” Mary shared. “And I noticed I was writing ‘polyester’ over and over again. I Googled it and was like wait, this is plastic? Why am I wearing plastic on my skin every day?”
That moment of discovery became a personal mission. After leaving her job in investment banking, Mary dove headfirst into sustainable fashion by taking night classes at FIT, attending fabric expos, and launching a Kickstarter campaign that would fund the first run of what would eventually become Reprise Activewear.
A Brand That Started with a Question: What Are We Wearing?
The fashion industry often hides behind vague claims and greenwashed marketing. Reprise is refreshingly direct.
“Our goal from day one was to eliminate plastic in our activewear,” Mary explained. “Most brands use polyester or recycled polyester. But even recycled plastic is still plastic. It still sheds microplastics. It still sits in a landfill. And it still touches your skin.”
Instead, Reprise uses TENCEL™, a eucalyptus-based fiber that is naturally breathable and cool to the touch, as well as organic cotton and natural rubber. Every step of the supply chain, from fabric mills to sewing partners, is carefully vetted for safety, transparency, and sustainability.
“We carry certifications like OEKO-TEX and only work with factories that meet our ethical standards,” she said. “I come from a data and analytics background, so I believe in backing things up. Sustainability isn’t a vibe. It’s a measurable commitment.”
From Microplastics to Hormone Disruption
Reprise’s original mission focused on eliminating microplastics, but Mary noticed something important about consumer behavior. People care even more when their personal health is at stake.
“A few years ago, the Center for Environmental Health published a study showing major activewear brands had BPA levels 11 to 40 times above the safe limit,” she said. “That changed everything. Suddenly people were asking, ‘What’s in my clothes? And what is it doing to my body?’”
That moment helped reposition Reprise not just as an eco-conscious brand, but as a nontoxic alternative to mainstream activewear.
“It’s the same product we’ve always had, but now the messaging really resonates,” Mary said. “We’re helping people feel safer in their own skin.”
High Performance, Low Impact
While TENCEL is ideal for yoga, errands, and lounging, Reprise fans were asking for gear that could keep up with higher-impact workouts. Enter Reprise’s new biodegradable performance line, a game-changing fabric made in Portugal that looks and feels like traditional synthetics but breaks down in five years without releasing harmful chemicals.
“It’s not plant-based like TENCEL, but it’s fully biodegradable, OEKO-TEX certified, and doesn’t come from oil,” Mary explained. “I even wore it to compete in a boxing match.”
Wait-boxing?
“Yeah, during the pandemic I got really into it. I ended up training, sparring, and doing seven fights all over New York,” she laughed. “Let’s just say I’ve field-tested the gear.”
No Perfect Material, Just Transparent Progress
Mary is the first to admit that creating truly sustainable clothing is a moving target. “Right now, we still use 7% spandex in our leggings,” she said. “It’s the minimum we need for performance, but we’re constantly testing bio-based alternatives. They just haven’t scaled yet.”
But perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.
“There’s a lot of pressure on consumers to figure it all out, but really, the responsibility should be shared,” she said. “My advice? Start with one swap. Replace one thing with a better option. That’s how it started for me.”
The Business of Doing Better
Despite seven years in business, Mary still considers Reprise a learning journey. From launching a successful Kickstarter to navigating pandemic-era supply chain challenges (including losing $5,000 to a failed factory partner), her path hasn’t been easy, but it has been rooted in integrity.
“When you grow slowly and intentionally, you learn what works,” she said. “And you build something that lasts.”
Today, Reprise is certified by 1% for the Planet, is a Remake-approved brand, and is part of the global movement toward regenerative, ethical fashion. And Mary’s not done yet.
“I want Reprise to be a leader in material innovation and consumer education,” she said. “Whether you care about your health, the environment, or just want to look great in a pair of leggings, we’ve got you covered.”
Ready to wear something better?
Visit repriseactivewear.com to explore Reprise’s full collection of plant-based, nontoxic performance wear and find out what happens when fashion puts people and the planet first.
