A popular yoga brand has opened its doors to Sydneysiders, with hundreds of eager customers queuing to take a look inside the first store in Australia. Los Angeles-born Alo prides itself on studio-to-street activewear that has featured on the social media of high-profile US models such as Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber and Alessandra Ambrosio.
With the clothes comes a hefty price tag, with a coat listed on the Australian website for $2,118, a cashmere cardigan for $1,458 and wool-blend trousers for $778. On Friday, the first store at Chatswood Chase on Sydney's north shore was opened to queues snaking down the pavement. It is the first of four 'sanctuaries' to be opened in Australia, with another expected in the city's east at Bondi Junction.
Videos shared online captured long lines of customers outside the store. Sydney-based yoga teachers Álvaro Mercado and Shannon Delavault performed an acro-yoga routine outside the shopfront. There were also live DJ performances and wellness drinks served to customers.
Mr Mercado posted a video of his performance with Ms Delavault beside Alo's sign. 'Feeling incredibly grateful for all the smiles, connections, and positive energy shared through Acro Yoga today,' he wrote on social media. TikTok influencer Scarlett Rose was among the crowd, posting videos inside the store and showing off her purchases. 'It was heavily staffed, had great catering and felt like a fun, social shopping experience,' she told news.com.au.
Before the opening, Alo's international chief executive Benedetta Petruzzo said the choice to launch Australian stores was 'home'. 'As Alo continues to expand globally, we are focused on entering markets where wellness is genuinely embedded in the culture,' she said in a statement. 'Australia – and Sydney in particular – felt like a natural home for the brand because there is a real movement culture here.' Alo has announced a runners club on Saturday and a wellness walk on Sunday to promote the store.
