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    Science Matters

    Nervy activewear makes a fashion statement while showing science is cool

    Anna Fialho Byers
    Dec 8, 2016 | 10:15 am
    Epidemia Designs
    Epidemia Designs gives new meaning to statement-making activewear.
    Photo courtesy of Epidemia Designs

    Making a statement with bold-printed activewear isn’t exactly a new trend, but what about a collection of leggings, sports bras, and gym tops created by digitally manipulating micrographs of human cells and muscle tissue? Yeah, that’s pretty different.

    Founded by medical student Lizzie Cochran, Dallas-based Epidemia Designs is a mission-driven women’s activewear line created to encourage women and girls pursuing education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

    “I love science, and I wanted to come up with an interesting, creative way of showing the world how beautiful and awe-inspiring science can be,” Cochran says. “As the idea for Epidemia developed, I quickly decided that I wanted the company to have a philanthropic aspect to it, and supporting women in STEM is something that is incredibly important to me.”

    Celebrating the human body on a cellular level, the collection, called She’s Got It, includes three patterns: She's Got Heart, based on heart tissue; She’s Got Nerve, based on nerve synapses; and She’s Got Brains, based on, yes, brain cells. The leggings retail for $49, sports bras sell for $39, gym tops are $29 — all can be purchased online.

    “My hope is that Epidemia can be a vehicle for showing young women that science can be cool and feminine, and for celebrating the innate beauty of the human body that is completely overlooked by societal beauty standards,” Cochran says.

    The idea for the line first came to Cochran while she was an undergrad living in New York.

    “I spent a lot of time working out and even more time wearing workout clothing,” she says. “I started noticing during my senior year of college that tons of activewear companies were starting to feature bold prints and bright colors, and I loved how it seemed to be a genre of clothing that women felt comfortable standing out in.

    “When the concept behind Epidemia, the idea of putting scientific images on everyday apparel, came to me in early 2015, using activewear as our canvas just felt like a natural fit.”

    Cochran spent a year raising money via Kickstarter for her new business venture, and by mid-2016, she was ready to launch the collection.

    In addition to being American made — the fabrics are printed and the clothes manufactured in Chicago — Epidemia also has a charitable bent, contributing to Dallas nonprofit Girlstart, an organization that provides summer camps and after-school programs for young girls interested in the sciences.

    “I believe strongly that summer camps and programs like the ones [Girlstart] offers can play a huge role in giving kids the confidence and support they need to pursue their dreams, especially when they might not be getting that kind of support at home,” Cochran explains. “So far we have donated $5,000 to Girlstart to fund scholarships for their summer camps, and I hope to continue to expand our partnership as Epidemia grows.”

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    Stepping up

    Texas bootmaker strikes a glossy note with the debut of new patent line

    Gabi De la Rosa
    Apr 13, 2026 | 9:30 am
    Miron Crosby Maggie Patent
    Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby
    Miron Crosby reimagines its signature Maggie boot in high-gloss patent leather for a polished update.

    Cowboy boots are based in tradition, but Miron Crosby continues to find ways to move the conversation forward. The Dallas-based label’s latest release, the Maggie Patent Collection, debuts a new material to its signature lineup while staying true to the workmanship that built its following.

    The brand’s best-selling Maggie boot is now available in a high-gloss patent leather. Although the new finish changes the silhouette's tone, delivering a more fashion-forward take on Western footwear, the boot’s structure remains the same.

    “Maggie is such a classic, flattering shape, so even when you introduce something like a patent, it still feels timeless at its core,” co-founder Sarah Means Ward tells CultureMap.

    When designing the boot, the sisters were careful not to lean into trends. They focused on letting the material enhance the boot rather than redefine it. “We wanted it to feel elevated and refined instead of overly flashy,” says Ward.

    Miron Crosby Maggie Patent New colorways Beurre, Sable, and Transformative Teal bring depth and shine to the Maggie Patent lineup.Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

    Texas has strong roots and ideas about Western wear, and introducing patent leather into a heritage category can come with risks. The sisters approached the new collection with a respect for tradition as their foundation.

    “The craftsmanship, the construction, the way the boot fits and feels, those elements are non-negotiable,” Duplantis says. “From there, it’s about evolving the design in a way that still feels authentic.”

    The look was first tested in 2019 when Miron Crosby worked with Prabal Gurung on a limited run of patent boots for his runway show. That collaboration allowed Miron Crosby to explore new materials, something the brand has continued to build on. With Maggie Patent, that early concept was refined into a boot designed for daily wear, not just for the runway.

    “It showed us that something as unexpected as patent leather can feel completely natural in a Western silhouette when it’s approached thoughtfully,” says co-founder Lizzie Means Duplantis.

    The collection is available at their River Oaks boutique, in three colorways: Beurre, Sable, and Transformative Teal, which were influenced by materials seen at the 2025 Lineapelle show in Milan.

    “The patent leathers had this incredible richness that made us think about color in a different way,” Ward says.

    The sisters chose colors that were naturally approachable. Neutral tones like Beurre and Sable are great for everyday wear, while Transformative Teal offers a statement moment. “Some days (our customer) wants something understated, other days she wants something that stands out,” says Duplantis. “This was about giving her both.”

    Miron Crosby Maggie Patent

    Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

    Miron Crosby reimagines its signature Maggie boot in high-gloss patent leather for a polished update.

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