Our Story

Performance Without Compromise

Movement has always been part of my lifestyle — from strength training to Pilates, running, mobility work and recovery sessions. I live in activewear. So when I started developing painful rashes after certain workouts, I began a long trial-and-error process trying to find the cause.

Eventually, I discovered something I would never have expected:

the irritation was coming from the activewear itself.


That realisation changed everything.


I started researching what performance fabrics are made from, and what I found was deeply worrying. Many leading activewear brands — even the ones marketed as premium — contain PFAS, BPA, phthalates, and many other harmful chemical additives. These substances are commonly used in synthetic sportswear to improve stretch, sweat-wicking, and durability… but they come with serious concerns.

New research shows that when you exercise, your skin heats up, your pores open, and your sweat mixes with oils naturally produced by your body. This combination helps chemicals in synthetic fabrics leach out and become available for skin absorption. In fact, experts note:


The more you sweat, the more chemicals you could absorb.

Studies have found:

  • Bisphenols (like BPA) in sportswear at up to 40× the recognised safe limits
  • PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in leggings and sports bras
  • Links between these additives and hormone disruption, thyroid issues, immune effects, and more


It became clear to me:

We train to get healthier — but the clothes we sweat in might be silently working against us.

Our Fabrics

Why I Created Viren

My first instinct was to switch to natural-fibre activewear. But I quickly learned another truth:

Natural fabrics simply don’t perform for active workouts.

I tested so many options. They felt soft and comfortable, but:

  • they didn’t wick sweat
  • they didn’t stay in shape
  • they became heavy during intense sessions
  • they wore out quickly


And needing to replace them often isn’t sustainable — financially or environmentally.


That’s when I realised the real problem:


 Performance activewear must use synthetics


 But synthetics in the industry often come with hidden toxins


 And natural fabrics can’t deliver what active women need

There had to be a better way.

What We Do Differently

I created Viren to solve this — to prove that high performance, longevity, and clean chemistry can finally exist together.

We work with fabric specialists and designers who have created performance materials for some of the world’s top activewear brands. Together, we engineered fabrics that deliver:

 Elite-level performance


 Exceptional durability

 Scientifically verified low-toxin safety


All Viren activewear garments are OEKO-TEX® certified, meaning every component is independently tested and verified against the strictest global standards for harmful substances.

Our pieces are produced in world-class factories trusted by leading global activewear brands — and then held to even higher standards to ensure they’re clean, safe, functional, and built to last.


Because true sustainability isn’t fast fashion.

It’s products that perform beautifully and last the long haul.


This is activewear made with integrity — for women who live in movement.


From Nadine

Creating Viren wasn’t a business decision — it was a personal one. I wanted activewear that supported my health, my performance, and my lifestyle. When I couldn’t find it, I built it.

My promise is simple:

We use synthetics because they perform.

We engineer them clean because your health matters.

We design them to last because durability is real sustainability.


Welcome to Viren.

Train clean. Perform strong.

— Nadine McCarthy

Founder & Creative Director, VIREN

Power and Passion

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