In the bathroom of Hortense Pontabry, co-founder of MiaFit

“My name is Hortense Pontabry. I have been an interior architect and designer for 10 years. I co-founded my first company, MiaSun, with my best friend from high school, Valérianne, and then MiaFit. MiaSun was a naive project: I had just graduated from architecture school, and Valé had just graduated from business school. We were traveling in Australia when the desire to create something new, innovative, and joyful came into our lives. It was a project of freedom, fueled by dozens of trips around the world, incredible adventures, and collaborations with Air France, Vilebrequin, the MoMA Store in New York... Dream big! This sunny adventure gave us real financial viability and a solid foundation to launch ourselves into a new entrepreneurial adventure in 2025 with MiaFit. We had five years to prepare for this new big leap."

"A major need arose: how to exercise at home in good conditions? Something had to be invented, and it took us more than three years to develop the Totem (launched in the summer of 2024). My partner Valé and I had the idea of continuing to promote everyday objects and making often unsightly items, such as beach tents and low-end dumbbells, beautiful. Then, during a trip to Greece, in Patmos to be exact, I found myself facing a Carrara marble totem in my hotel. Eureka: the project that had been maturing for four years suddenly became obvious!"

“Less is more! I love simplicity in both my style and my routine. I'm an efficient person: I get ready quickly in the morning, slip on a pair of raw jeans and a shirt, my comfortable sneakers, and a little detail that reflects my personality. I can travel with just a carry-on bag for three weeks without any problems. It's thanks to Miasun, and always looking for smart design ideas, that I've learned to stay light and agile so I can get around easily. To feel fit, we designed Miafit to be a sports companion anywhere, anytime. Because sport makes you stronger and more confident. For me, it's as important as my sleep (9 hours a night) and my diet (balanced without frustration)." 

“It’s constantly changing. You have to listen to your skin (hormonal acne, stress eczema, temperature changes, spots, and melasma, etc.) and your body. Since my pregnancy, it’s been even more so, as hormones play a big role and we’re not all the same. Giving birth has softened the perfectionist view I had of my body, it has softened my curves, and I loved being pregnant." 

“Being a mom means putting your family first. It means thinking of others before yourself, so I keep things simple and effective: minimal makeup and lots of inner glow! On the other hand, time alone to exercise or pamper myself is a real luxury, so I savor it whenever I get the chance.” 

People say I'm "sunny, dynamic, motivated," but it's not always easy to stay on top of my game: movement is really the source of my energy. Walking to work, moving around during lunch, riding my bike to speed things up, squeezing in yoga, Pilates, or stretching whenever I have a moment to myself. I challenge myself with cardio or weight training to really sweat and be proud of the effort. All this training strengthens me and allows me to perform well in my "hobby" sports: I've been passionate about tennis (since childhood), skiing, and swimming (because I grew up in Annecy).  It's thanks to all of this that we avoid breaks, falls, and injuries in outdoor sports."