About us

ZARÉLY dancewear is createdby professional ballet dancers for dancers. ZARÉLY founders Mateo Klemmayer, Ruben Martin and DiegoCruz got to know each other when they were dancers at San Francisco Ballet. 

Oh, and there was a fourth guy co-founding the company. His name was Christian Jimenez; a former businessman who left his corporate job to focus on thisgreat entrepreneurial adventure. 

One thing continued to surprise the three friends during those years as dancers. Even though they were so close to the arts and the creative design sphere, no major ballet brand ever picked up on the styles and trends catering to today’s modern ballet dancer. The three friends had this feeling the mainstream brands never really thought about a dancer’s needs in depth.

The clothing did not seem customized to ballet dancers; considering how much is possible – technologically and creatively – in garment manufacturing production.

It’s all about the look. In that context the first idea was born: Mateo had an idea that was inspired by the Hungarian-French artist, Victor Vasarely, knownas ‘The Father of Opt-art’. Vasarely created optical images thattransformed flat surfaces into 3D experiences. 

Like Vasarely's optically complex and illusionistic paintings,ZARÉLY incorporates a series of effects into their designs that cater to the ballet dancer’s aesthetics.

Then the 3 friends wear-tested with their dancer friends... and tested...and tested...and tested….and then went on to making the clothing as smart as they could think of... and then tested... and tested... and tested some more. Using compression-techniques, weaving-techniques and many different materials that they sourced from all over the world.

Having been several times around the globe for two years and financially nearly broke, they were finally able to launch a clothing line that they were proud of. (and happily ever after?)

Today we atZARÉLY are a team of dancers, designers, visual artists, and physiotherapists working together to support your constant search for perfection!

We are the company that took in fashion designers to co-create with ballet dancers for both genres to learn each other'saesthetics. 

Who is Vira Kuschenko? Vira is the creative mastermind behind ZARÉLY fashion and activewear.

Inspired by her mother’s love of design and sewing, Vira developed a passion for fashion. She inherited her mother’s taste and sense of style. Combined with today’s technology, a classic Art education and an ear toward a client-based outlook to fashion, Vira and ZARÉLY are a dynamic combination. 

“I’m a big fan of a science-based approach, combined with research, and analysis. I always try to look ahead and use modern technologies. While creating our latest Laser-Cut mini-collection, we used computer programming, which allowed us to experiment with the size and shapes of our prototypes, said Vira. “It is an exciting blend of today’s high tech and the dancer’s input for what can make them look their best.”  

As a former professional ballet dancer and enthusiastic athlete, I know what it is like to be driven by an ultimate goal,,,to push yourself and have the self-discipline to challenge your limits every day.

When I was 15 years old, I saw my first ballet performance and was amazed by the stamina, movement, and strength the dancers displayed.The dancers' jumping so high, flying across the stage, and how they seemed to drift into other worlds made me want to become a professional ballet dancer.

As you can imagine, most ballet teachers told me it was impossible. Starting classes so late in the game, when the rest of my peers had started at least five years earlier, was a goal too hefty to aspire to.

Not only would I have to reconstruct my body but also train my mind, all while catching up with my peers. I understood the extent of my setbacks, yet my curiosity and determination beat all other adversities. I knew I would have to be creative, challenge the traditional learning route, and find other disciplines that would help me gain a performing edge.

I found myself incorporating disciplines like engineering, biology, and even plyometric training into my daily workouts. I cultivated my champion's mentality with psychology and neuroscience.

I scrutinized the techniques of famous jumpers like Michael Jordan and even studied the anatomy of fleas, the species with the highest jump in the planet, to excel in my jumps.

And I must say that after years of hard work and sweat it all paid off. By 25, I was a Soloist at the San Francisco Ballet. I danced with some of the best ballet companies in the world, as well as performed at international Galas on some of the most renowned stages in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the United States.