Grammy-winning country singer Carrie Underwood took time away from her busy Nashville life last week to promote the newest collection of her Calia by Carrie Underwood activewear, athleisure and swimwear line in Malibu. The 34-year-old clothing designer launched her collection two years ago with Dick’s Sporting Goods and now can be purchased at the 679 stores nationwide.
“I don’t know that I ever thought an opportunity like this would ever present itself to me,” Underwood said in an exclusive interview with WWD. “I try my best to live a healthy lifestyle and was always looking for clothes to help me along the way. When Dick’s Sporting Goods approached [my management team] I was like, “Yes!” I didn’t even know it was my dream until they were like, “Here it is.”
The American Idol vet spent her time in California at a scenic oceanside estate, hosting the Calia Summer Kick-Off event alongside personal trainer Eve Overland and women’s apparel and accessories buyer for Dicks Sporting Goods, Anne Muir. The location made perfect sense, after all, considering Underwood’s penchant for beachy and floral patterned pieces.
“It’s cool to get to visit different places and soak it all in,” Underwood said. “I love floral and girly things and that’s definitely ingrained in Calia, to be strong and feminine and beautiful as well. I like to think you can see that in what we do.”
The wear-all-day collection boasts fashionable and functional pieces that embody Underwood’s style and strength, from tops and leggings to sports bras and light jackets, in bright summer hues and head-turning prints (prices range from $15-$95). But Underwood’s personal favorite is the white core-fitted jacket, which she notes is best to put on after taking your toddler to school.
“I’m your busy mom/friend/wife tying to run around town and get all my chores done and work out,” Underwood said. “[When designing] it was like, ‘What do I want?’ because I am a normal person with just a pretty cool job, so it was fun to come in and be like, ‘I need some place to put my phone when I run.’ I love being able to come in and bring little touches like that. With every collection it gets better.”