Bellissima is a non-toxic activewear brand based in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded by Vinnie Pallisco and Ylenia Kunst and launched in October 2026 with the Sempre collection: leggings, bras, and shorts made from 92% TENCEL Lyocell and 8% spandex.
The name is Italian. Bellissima means most beautiful. Sempre, the name of the collection, means always. The names reflect the intent: activewear beautiful enough to wear always, to the gym, to pilates, to reformer class, and straight to coffee after, without sacrificing performance or aesthetic to choose a natural fiber. The Sempre collection is the non toxic gym clothes answer for women who will not compromise on what touches their skin.
What Bellissima Makes
The Sempre collection at launch consists of four pieces, all in black.
The Sempre Leggings are a high-waisted, full-length legging. 92% TENCEL Lyocell and 8% spandex. 240 GSM fabric weight. Squat proof and fully opaque. V-shaped back waistband in self-fabric construction. 27.5 inch inseam. Diamond crotch gusset. No front rise seam. Laser cut hem. Slight compression without restriction. Sizes XS to XL. Designed in the USA. $118.
The Sempre Halter Bra is a halterneck sports bra with a backless back design. 92% TENCEL Lyocell and 8% spandex. Drop armhole. Lower chest line. Removable EVA foam pads. Interlock weft knit construction. Sizes XS to XL.
The Sempre Twist Bra is a sports bra with a V-cut front neckline and fabric twist detail at the back. 92% TENCEL Lyocell and 8% spandex. Straight bottom hemline. Double layered. Removable EVA foam pads. Sizes XS to XL.
The Sempre Shorts are high-waisted athletic shorts. 92% TENCEL Lyocell and 8% spandex. 6 inch inseam. V-shaped back waistband. Diamond crotch gusset. 240 GSM. Squat proof. Sizes XS to XL.
All pieces are available at livebellissima.com. The legging and bra set is available at $190.
Why TENCEL Lyocell
The decision to build the Sempre collection entirely on TENCEL Lyocell was made after evaluating the performance and chemical profile of available activewear fabrics. The conclusion was that TENCEL Lyocell is the only fiber that achieves genuine moisture management, softness, and durability through its physical fiber structure rather than applied finishing chemistry, while carrying independently verifiable certification at the fiber level.
TENCEL Lyocell is produced by Lenzing AG in Austria using a closed-loop manufacturing process in which over 99% of the solvent used is recovered and reused. The fiber carries OEKO-TEX certification at the fiber level from Lenzing. It is a natural fiber derived from sustainably sourced wood cellulose. Its moisture management comes from hygroscopic absorption into the fiber's core structure, documented by Kaplan et al. (2014) in Fibers and Polymers. Its softness comes from a microscopically smooth fiber surface. Its durability comes from long, uniform fiber length that resists pilling under repeated use and washing. The full detail on the fabric behind the Sempre collection covers each fiber's contribution precisely. The post on why Bellissima chose TENCEL Lyocell covers the full evaluation process.
The 8% spandex provides the stretch that makes the legging functional as activewear. Eliminating synthetic fiber content entirely from a functional performance legging is not currently achievable without sacrificing the stretch that active movement requires. The 92/8 TENCEL Lyocell and spandex composition is honest about this trade-off rather than overstating what the fabric is.
What Bellissima Is Not
Bellissima is not a discount brand. There are no discount codes, no permanent sale sections, and no Black Friday promotions. The Sempre Leggings are $118 because the fiber costs more than polyester and the manufacturing quality required to produce the garment to the standard we want is priced accordingly. The price is justified by cost-per-wear over the garment's life, not by brand markup over a commodity product.
Bellissima is not a fear-based wellness brand. The non-toxic positioning is grounded in verifiable research and independent certification, not in alarming language designed to create anxiety and convert it into purchases. The fabric claims made for the Sempre collection are specific, cited, and independently verifiable. Where the evidence is uncertain, that uncertainty is stated rather than hidden.
Bellissima is not trying to be Lululemon with better fabric. It is a different kind of brand for a buyer who has decided that what touches her skin during the hours she moves matters. The Sempre collection is the answer to that decision.
Where to Find Bellissima
All Sempre collection pieces are available at livebellissima.com. The brand is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and ships within the United States. Free shipping on orders over $150. For the full supply chain picture, the post on how the Sempre collection is made covers fiber sourcing, manufacturing, and certification honestly. The story behind Bellissima covers why the brand exists and what gap it closes.
Sources
- Kaplan, S., et al. (2014). Thermal comfort of lyocell and other fibers in active wear. Fibers and Polymers, 15(6).
- Lenzing AG. (2024). TENCEL Lyocell Fiber Certification, Production Process, and Sustainability. lenzing.com.
- OEKO-TEX Association. (2024). OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Public Certification Database. oeko-tex.com.