Kylie Verzosa’s SOLÁ launches a new men’s shapewear line, addressing an emerging demand and showcasing a natural progression in fashion
When it comes to the body, Kylie Verzosa is all-too familiar with it. With the successful launch of her shapewear brand, SOLÁ, she has now turned her attention to an often-overlooked market: men’s shapewear. The move, the entrepreneur explains, was driven by an evident demand.
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“We saw that there was a demand for it ever since starting SOLÁ. We want to be known as an inclusive brand, welcoming all body types, so now we are embracing the male body type,” Verzosa shared.
No Boundaries with Confidence
Given the novelty of men’s shapewear, Verzosa and her team decided to start with traditional silhouettes.
“Shapewear is so new to men, and launching it is already a risk. We decided to go with more traditional silhouettes first to introduce the concept. Once we see more demand, we’ll start introducing newer silhouettes,” she explained.
For now, the collection sticks to black and grey, chosen for their practicality and universal appeal. “Black is universally flattering, and I love black. Grey is a unique color because it can also pass as white. It works well as an undershirt or barong, blending in perfectly without standing out against white garments,” Verzosa noted.
Planetary Inspirations
Continuing with the celestial theme that started with their Mercury-inspired collection, Verzosa hinted at exciting future projects inspired by Venus.
“Venus is more of a woman planet, associated with softer, more intimate fabrics and feminine figures. We’re thinking about new collections with more colors, different styles, and softer fabrics. By the start of 2025, we’ll have something new launching,” she teased.
What the Men Say
At the launch event, several notable figures shared their experiences with SOLÁ’s new line. Content creator Liam Labrooy, sporting the gray variation, expressed his satisfaction.
“I’ve always been into shapewear but could never find anything suitable here. Wearing women’s shapewear didn’t fit well. Now, knowing it’s meant for my body type makes me feel a lot more confident. Being part of the campaign is a dream come true,” he said.
Race car driver Reph Bangsil also praised the line, emphasizing its comfort and posture-improving benefits. “I was shocked at how small it was initially, and it was uncomfy for the first 10 minutes. But two hours in, it made my posture better, and I feel more confident. I want to use it for pre- or post-workout,” Bangsil said.
Digital creator Matt Santiago added, “It fixed my posture, and the compression helped with blood flow. The effect was evident.”
Shaping Masculinity
SOLÁ’s Product Development Head Roxelle Cortes accentuates the inclusive nature of the new line, designed with various masculine body types in mind.
“It’s not just for men; it could be for trans men or women with different body types. It’s about targeting specific areas for compression and comfort. Moving from women’s to men’s shapewear is a learning curve, but we’re excited to cater to everyone,” she explained.
Her latest venture with SOLÁ’s men’s shapewear brand represents her dedication to broadening the possibilities in design. By solving a market gap and making sure that everyone, regardless of gender, feels confident and comfortable, Kylie Verzosa continues to shape the business.
Photographed by TIM DUENAS
