Corinne Limsin, 20, is a workaholic, shopaholic, and fitness fanatic all in one. With her endeavors as a student-leader and dancer, one could say Corinne was as invested in her extracurricular activities just as much as her academics (or even more sometimes). So, it was not surprising that she also decided to enter a business venture in the activewear industry. “Ever since I was young, I was always interested in fitness, partly an outcome of my experiences as a dancer. I love the sense of accomplishment from conquering a challenging workout, and it only pushed my drive to be stronger,” shared Corinne, who is now a college student at the Ateneo De Manila University.
The idea of starting her own brand was always at the back of her mind, but it was seeing a lot of new businesses open during the pandemic that inspired her to get started. As Corinne was constantly shopping for activewear online, the thought of starting a brand in this line suddenly came to her, and she fell in love with it right away. “My curiosity for ‘what could be’ pushed me to transform my interest in fashion and fitness into a legitimate business. I wanted to build a homegrown brand, which Filipinos could be genuinely proud of. This includes not only the aspect of creating quality items I myself would want to own in my closet but also fulfilling one of my life goals of giving back,” she said.
After research, multiple back-and-forth communication, and product testing, Corinne found suppliers who could produce what she envisioned for the brand. She named the new business “Common Mode.”
Common Mode, Corinne said, is “inspired by our desire to feel the best in everything that we do, since at the end of the day, we want our best self to become our common mode. This means your common style, feel, or way of expressing yourself — rooted in the comfort, confidence, and contentment our pieces aim to inspire. We want to empower women with activewear that makes them feel just as good as they look. So, whether one is heading to the gym, grabbing a cup of coffee, or just lounging around, you can think of Common Mode as part of your everyday essentials, elevated.”
When Common Mode launched its first collection online on Oct. 20, 2021, Corinne described it as “very vibrant and full of life, which showcased my energetic and adventurous side. There is also the option of colors, which allows people to match their different moods.”
Common Mode’s first collection was immediately showered with good reviews. “I’ve seen customers review our pieces on their Instagram stories, and their first reactions showed how amazed they were with the quality of our activewear.” This encouraged Corinne to come up with a second collection, which was just recently launched online. “We are a brand made for your mood and moves, so apart from activewear, we share the same passion for creating pieces you can lounge in and other essentials to go right with it,” Corinne said. She describes this next collection as fitting for days when one chooses to go for lighter workouts or even out to do errands.
More than the sales and the happiness that her products have brought to both fitness and fashion enthusiasts, Corinne sees Common Mode as a dynamic brand that “involves building confidence and forging a growing community that is able to support one another.”
“I have always been fascinated by the fashion industry and how it helps us express our personalities. Dressing up in clothes, which allow me to communicate who I am, brings out my confidence,” said Corinne. “I truly hope that Common Mode could motivate others to bring out their most authentic selves and to have a better relationship with their mind and body.”
“Apart from the feel, we prioritize its functionality and authenticity. Common Mode’s products get hours of serious attention to detail. We incorporate the use of recycled fabric, take the time to design quality pieces, and ensure function meets comfort. We know that satisfying, money-well-spent feeling after purchasing another set, and this is exactly what we want everyone to feel with all our pieces.”
Moving forward, Corinne has more plans for Common Mode that should be anticipated by the market. Future collections will definitely showcase even more personalities and fit more styles.
And for those who still find it challenging to take in or follow a fitness regimen, Corinne suggests that you take the time to explore until you find an activity that you genuinely enjoy. Like the brand says, your mood is also a crucial aspect to how you go about your workouts.
“The first workout you try may not be the one for you, but don’t let that stop you from finding the one that gives you enough motivation to get out of bed and to make movement a part of your day.”
For Corinne, having a thriving online business is an extension of her being in a “move” – “I find happiness from simply being on the move. This goes from completing a Pilates session, hiking up a mountain, all the way to riding every type of roller coaster you could imagine. I always believe that ‘it is better to try and fail than not to have tried at all.’ So Common Mode is my way of sharing this joy of life to others so that they can move better, feel happier, and live healthier.”
For inquiries on Common Mode, please visit www.commonmode.ph or check us out on Instagram @commonmodeph.