Sports brands: Women x Men - Fashion from Asics, Under

Sportswear is long gone beyond being purely functional – it is a statement, a lifestyle, and a career opportunity all at once. Those who today stand on the runway or in front of the camera wear Asics, Under Armour, or The North Face not in spite of their ambitions, but exactly because of them. The boundaries between athletic wear and haute couture are blurring, and those who understand this trend have a real advantage – whether as a model, an influencer, or a fashion-conscious athlete.

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Sportswear for Women and Men: When Design Meets Performance

Asics, Under Armour and The North Face compared

Sportswear as a Career Opportunity for Models

Sustainability and Inclusion in Sports Fashion

Frequently asked questions about sport brands and model careers

Sportswear for Women and Men: When Design Meets Performance

The collaboration between luxury designers and sport brands has transformed the industry. Collaborations such as those between Mary Katrantzou and adidas have shown that athletic functionality and exclusive design are not opposites, but form a powerful symbiosis. At the same time, everyday fashion is becoming sportier, while sportswear is becoming more elegant and luxurious.

Supermodels like Karlie Kloss are setting this exact trend: instead of loose joggers, they choose tightly cut leggings in bold colors, combined with clear silhouettes. This development is no coincidence – runway and catwalk tips have long shown that athletic posture and sporty clothing go hand in hand on international shows.

What modern sportswear is made of

High-quality sportswear combines several properties that were once considered incompatible:

Moisture-wicking materials
Ergonomic cut for freedom of movement
Aesthetic design in trend colors
Durable processing for daily use
Versatility from training to street style

Anyone who wants to be successful in this segment as a model should know the requirements to become a model – because sport brands are looking for authentic ambassadors, not interchangeable faces.

Asics, Under Armour and The North Face compared

Three brands currently dominate the market for high-quality sportswear that is equally attractive for women and men. Each represents its own philosophy – and each offers models and athletes different ways to position themselves.

Brand	Strength	Target Group	Style Direction
Asics	Running shoes, technology	Runners, triathletes	Functional, clean
Under Armour	Compression clothing, gym	Strength & endurance athletes	Athletic, body-conscious
The North Face	Outdoor, jackets, layering	Outdoor enthusiasts, urbanites	Durable, trend-aware

Asics – Japanese precision for runners

Asics stands for technological excellence from Japan. The brand develops running shoes with biomechanical precision and sportswear based on scientific knowledge of muscle movements. For women, Asics offers particularly well-thought-out sports bras and leggings that flatter body shapes without compromising performance. Men benefit from breathable running shirts and shorts with clever pocket solutions.

Those who want to work as a model for Asics should know the Become a model steps and build a strong sports portfolio. International appearances, for example at the New York Fashion Week dates or the Milan Fashion Week dates, open up contacts to sports brand scouts.

Under Armour – Performance meets Street

Under Armour has built a fan base that goes far beyond traditional athletes. The brand’s compression shirts and tights are designed to be body-positive and highlight athletic figures in both women and men. Under Armour focuses on technical marketing and actively seeks brand ambassadors who embody performance and authenticity.

“Sportswear that truly fits changes not only training – it changes how you perceive yourself. The body works differently when it feels well-dressed.”

Curvy models also have excellent opportunities in this segment: Those who want to know how to become a model can find a market segment with strong growing demand here. Many sport brands consciously communicate inclusively.

The North Face – Outdoor Lifestyle for City and Summit

The North Face has evolved from a pure expedition equipment brand into an urban cult brand. Jackets like the well-known Nuptse down jacket are just as at home on the glacier as they are in Berlin’s inner city. This makes the brand particularly interesting for model jobs that combine outdoor authenticity with urban flair.

Anyone who wants to make their mark in this area should work on the Model portfolio for casting early on and specifically apply for casting at CM Models.

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Sportswear as a Career Opportunity for Models

The boom in sportswear has created an entire subsegment within the modeling industry: the sport and fitness model. These models work for catalogs, social media campaigns, lookbooks, and trade shows – often with flexible requirements regarding model measurements and prerequisites.

Especially interesting: Sport models don’t necessarily have to meet the classic runway measurements. Many brands are looking for authentic athletes who can credibly represent their products. This means specifically:

Sporty, trained appearance
Authentic approach to sport & fitness
Flexibility regarding body sizes possible
Social media reach is an advantage
Own sports experience verifiable

Those wondering whether a classic minimum height model agency is necessarily required will find surprisingly flexible answers in the sports world. There are even model agencies without minimum height that are specifically focused on sports and lifestyle campaigns.

Become a model in the sports industry – where to start?

Getting started in sports modeling often goes through specialized agencies in big cities. A model agency Berlin or a model agency Hamburg often has direct contacts to sports brands and fitness companies. Also, become a model in Frankfurt is an attractive option, as Frankfurt, as a trade fair and business location, attracts many international brands.

For international career aspirations, it’s worth looking beyond borders: Become a model in London or Become a model in New York provides direct access to global sports brand headquarters.

Checklist: Preparing for a Sports Fashion Casting

☐ Select athletic outfits for the casting
☐ Update your portfolio with sports photos
☐ Note your current body measurements
☐ Be able to name your own sport discipline
☐ Align your social media profile with sports topics
☐ Collect references from sports campaigns
☐ Check the seriousness of agency partners

When preparing for a casting, sports brands apply the same rule as everywhere else: authenticity beats perfection. Whoever convincingly conveys that they live the brand has the best chances. More on structuring your application can be found under the topic Contact a model agency.

Sustainability and Inclusion in Sports Fashion

Sport brands are under increasing pressure to produce sustainably and to send inclusive messages. The North Face is using recycled materials in core product ranges. Asics actively communicates about CO₂-reduced production. Under Armour has significantly expanded its size ranges for women and men.

This creates new opportunities for models of all body types. Become a model in larger sizes is no longer a niche topic in the sports industry, but a strategic focus for many brands. Those who want to model as a side job can find flexible opportunities in sports campaigns that can easily be combined with an active lifestyle.

International Fashion Weeks reflect this change: The Paris Fashion Week dates and the London Fashion Week dates regularly showcase sport collections on the runway – a sign that sportswear is now on equal footing with classic fashion. The Fashion Week Berlin is also increasingly focusing on the athleisure trend.

Who wants to learn more about the most important shows worldwide will find an overview at The Big 4 Fashion Weeks – including the brands that present sportswear lines there.

Ready for the next step? Then go directly to Apply now and start your career in the sports world.

Frequently asked questions about sport brands and model careers

What body measurements do I need for sport model jobs?

Sport brands are much more flexible than classic runway agencies. While strict measurements apply for high fashion appearances, sport brands look for authentic athletes with a trained physique. Generally speaking: a healthy, athletic appearance is more important than exact centimeter measurements. Read more about this under Model Measurements and Requirements.

Do sport models earn well?

The compensation varies greatly depending on the brand, reach, and type of job. Large campaigns for Asics, Under Armour, or The North Face can be very well paid. Catalog and social media jobs fall in the middle range. A detailed overview is provided in the article How much does a model earn?. Important: Reputable agencies do not require upfront payments – more information can be found under Model agency paying money? and Model agency without fees.

How can I recognize a reputable agency for sports model jobs?

A Reputable model agency does not ask for advance payments, has verifiable references with brand clients, and communicates transparently about terms and conditions. A look at the Top 10 Model Agencies can help with orientation. Those focusing on sports campaigns should specifically look for agencies with experience in athletic and outdoor brands.

Can I work for sports brands without classical model training?

Yes – and this is one of the major advantages of the sports model segment. Many brands prefer real athletes who use their products in everyday life. Nevertheless, professional knowledge about poses, camera work, and brand appearances is extremely helpful. The German fashion designers scene shows how strongly authenticity is valued over formal education – especially in the sports and lifestyle sectors.