Advocate Alison Mariella Désir Launches Street Style Collection with Oiselle

November 5, 2021

The Three-Piece AMD Collection Evokes Harlem Style

Seattle, WA /SPORTSWIRE WOMEN/ – Oiselle, a by woman for woman athletic apparel company, partners with Alison Mariella Désir, an activist and founder of Harlem Run, on a three-piece collection inspired by Harlem street style. The AMD Collection features a boxy tee, long sleeve, and lounge pants.

The AMD Collection is made from Oiselle’s best-selling Tee Lux fabric. The three pieces are each printed with a custom all-over “AMD” print. Désir hopes to evoke a sense of sleek comfort with her collection.

“The most important thing is comfort, always,” said Désir. “Someone said I always look like I’m heading out for a run, or coming from a run and that is on purpose. My life is super active–stretching, walking, on the floor with my son. Form follows function. I want to look nice, and present myself well, but If I can’t move in my clothing, it’s worthless.”

Désir is a multi-talented advocate, community organizer, and a USATF level 1 certified coach and an RRCA certified coach. In 2013, Désir started HarlemRun to welcome Black runners of all abilities into the sport. In January 2017, she spearheaded Run4AllWomen, a 250 mile relay to Washington, DC. that raised over $150,000 for Planned Parenthood. Désir’s work highlights the realities for Black, Indigenous, and other runners of color, in order to forge a more inclusive path and fight white supremacy and racism. Désir currently serves as co-chair of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition and has been honored by Outside, The Root, and Women’s Running for her sports advocacy work. In January, Désir was hired as Oiselle’s Director of Sports Advocacy.

“I believe that comfort and style is acceptable in all places — in fact, the ‘new professional’ is comfort, wearing styles and patterns and designs that give you confidence. That brings you joy,” said Désir. “The idea of professionalism is arbitrary and rooted in white supremacist ideas about how you show up. So much of what is considered professional doesn’t speak to me. Particularly now, as a mother, in the pandemic, working from home.”

The AMD Collection is available exclusively at www.oiselle.com.

About Oiselle

Founded in 2007, Oiselle is an athletic apparel company dedicated exclusively to the needs of women athletes. Based in Seattle, Oiselle embodies the notion that running is more than a physical activity, but also a philosophy that helps women increase their courage, confidence, and health. A French word for bird, Oiselle (pronounced wa-zell) alludes to the feeling of independence and flight that most runners know; when the legs go fast and the heart goes free. Connect with Oiselle on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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