Meet Sara Gusky: Ph.D. & Founder, Creative Director of Phd Athletica™

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Gusky and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I decided to pursue a creative career because I wanted to find a way to translate my memories, experiences, travels, and studies into something tactile, something functional, and something fashionable. With my roots in academia, I am used to expressing my creativity through writing. From writing scholarly articles and manuscripts to developing lesson plans, I always felt moved and inspired by the different creative energies of the literary and musical art forms that I studied. That sense of feeling moved by another’s creativity is precisely how I decided to exercise my own creativity in business. After completing my Ph.D., I decided that I wanted to move into an entrepreneurial space that combined all of my passions, holistically and whole-heartedly. It was through the cultural mediums of literature, music, dance, and textiles that I discovered a way to express my creative identity through fashion. Phd Athletica™ feels like a visual homage to my doctorate because it celebrates and connects all of the pieces of my Ph.D., while encouraging women to move, explore, and learn in bright colors, beautiful patterns, and ethically sourced materials. With products that you could wear to take a Pilates class or to trek through Chichen Itza, Phd Athletica™ is designed to feel like a collection of postcards from all of the places that I love, at home and away from it. As an emerging luxury lifestyle brand, Phd Athletica™ brings the global and the local together, drawing inspiration from my own adventures around the world and Miami’s sprawling local garment industry. I wanted to design a brand that encourages women to get smart, get strong, and get sweaty without having to question the quality or ethics of the product that they’re wearing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Phd Athletica™ is proud to be made in Miami and honored to support the local garment industry, which lends an extraordinary quality and special story to all of the products that we produce. I think our local production process is an extremely important part of our story, our DNA, and our ethics in general. With fast fashion and sweatshops dominating the fashion industry, it is important to celebrate each and every product that is made in a safe and sweat-free environment. That being said, I would like to emphasize that all of our clothes are designed, cut, printed, and manufactured locally, in Miami, under sweat-free conditions. We source all of our luxury performance fabrics from Europe and our eco-friendly fabrics from Canada so that conscious consumers can enjoy our comfortable, versatile, and vibrant designs without having to question the quality or integrity of their clothes. Every pattern we create showcases the diverse textile cultures and fashion traditions that outfit the memories of my adventures abroad. We currently offer a growing selection of leggings, shorts, sports bras/bralettes, tees, tanks, and accessories (yoga mats, pins, etc.).

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Miami is such an interesting city because there are so many different sections and ecosystems that contribute to its diversity. From quaint neighborhoods to bustling cityscapes, you can find delicious food, fresh air, and great people anywhere! Some of my favorite areas to enjoy lush landscapes include Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. With so much new construction dominating downtown and Brickell Avenue, it is always nice to explore the original architecture and unbelievable foliage of these historic zones. Two of my favorite destinations in Coral Gables and Coconut Grove are Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Another destination that puts Miami’s complete history into perspective is Little Havana, where you can grab some guarapo on Calle Ocho and eat some of the best food Miami has to offer. Little Haiti is another cultural gem to visit during the day or at night if you’re looking for great food, drinks, and live music. When I want to enjoy Miami’s more natural side, I visit the Everglades or head down to Homestead. Once you get down to Homestead, there are some really great spots for picking your own seasonal fruits and vegetables. You can pick strawberries and pick up some cinnamon rolls at Knaus Berry Farm or you could visit the Fruit and Spice Park if you just need to be outside and disconnect. Finally, I have to mention South Beach and the amazing Art Deco designs that line the beach, including my favorite beach, South Pointe Park. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mom. For as long as I can remember, my mom has encouraged me to explore the creative process without ever questioning its destination or duration. Her patience is unmatched. Her humble business expertise guides me through unfamiliar territories and difficult decisions. She is an essential part of Phd Athletica™ and I am eternally thankful for her endless support, sensibility, and wisdom.

Website: www.phdathletica.com

Instagram: phdathletica