“When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you work harder.” – Melissa Rountree, Level 3 Active

 

  Feel the energy crackle in the air? Hear the whoosh whoosh all around? At this very moment in time, we pause – catching a breath while beads of perspiration flush our brows – at the intersection of fitness and fashion. Boom does not even begin to describe the activewear rush, speeding like a style juggernaut through high-performance, high-visibility wardrobes. As so many struggle to keep pace with this über trend, we’ve discovered a Dallas entrepreneur at the head of the pack, already revving her engine for the next heat.  

  Level 3 Active combines retail, blog, and lifestyle inspiration in one online destination. Founder Melissa Rountree boasts a lifelong athletic background and enviable sense of style. As a fitness instructor, both private and public via group classes at a popular studio, she has first-hand, daily knowledge of the industry. Not to mention, she is also a fashion star, formerly working in the top-tier designer arena, often appearing in runway shows, and scooping up awards, such as CultureMap Dallas Stylemaker. Launched earlier this summer, Rountree’s web platform combines all of her high-energy areas of excellence. She describes in her introductory blog post, “Level 3 Active was named after realizing that I felt driven to take things to the next level, in terms of social contact, health, and promoting fashion within the fitness arena.”  

  At its core, Level 3 Active presents a curated collection of high quality, hard-to-find activewear brands. The likes of Altar Ego and Om Shanti accompany Rountree’s own Level 3 Active private label tees, tanks, and more. All will transition from workout to work to wherever, by design. “Activewear can be very stylish and fashion forward, especially if you mix it with your high-end pieces,” Rountree, who is known for her own hybrid activewear-based outfits, asserts. Take Black Onyx leggings by Emily Hsu, for example. Extra long with a high waist, they present endless styling options in a tone-on-tone print with subtle sheen. After a power walk or session with the trainer, swap out tank for tunic, slide into heels, and head out for the day. After hours, they’d turn heads at your favorite hotspot. In step with shopping, Rountree envisions her website as a forum for discussion on a variety of lifestyle topics. Blog entries may feature brand discoveries, styling tips, or any number of points of inspiration. A special Client Captures section shows off a growing community of Level 3 Active devotees. Each component furthers the founder’s mission to take today’s busy lifestyle to the “next level.”  

  At DFW Style Daily, it’s never been just about the clothes; it’s about style. The word’s in our name, and since 2011, we’ve strived to prove that it means so much more than thread and cloth. Style has the power to communicate, elevate, and motivate. Level 3 Active gets it. We look forward to what’s coming next from this Dallas discovery, and in closing, Rountree inspires: “When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you work harder.” Visit www.level3active.com to explore. Level 3 Active is also available for private trunk shows in the DFW area; email inf[email protected]. Images credit Heather Helen Ray Photography.