A coffee with Maria-Rosa
Hi Maria Rosa. Welcome to the journal. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi, I’m Maria-Rosa, owner and founder of House of Gravity Activewear , an International High-End Activewear Brand with its HQ, showroom, and brand store located in the Nine Streets of Amsterdam, and, as of recently, a showroom in Milan. I started my brand six years ago from Singapore, guided by a strong vision. Bringing House of Gravity to life, by creating and building the brand, gives me a lot of energy and joy every day.
My journey has always been guided by intuition. That’s how I lead, that’s how I create, and that’s how I grow. Along the way, I’ve learned to trust my inner compass, and that continues to shape House of Gravity, but also my personal life. I never followed a traditional path. I started my career in healthcare, working on the intensive care at a hospital. Soon after, I made the shift to fashion, and from there I quickly grew into different leadership roles. Interestingly, those two worlds still reflect who I am today and how I lead my company: soft and intuitive in human connection, yet clear and ambitious when it comes to vision and content.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I was born in Amsterdam, and after more than 9 years living abroad living in New York, Singapore and Hong Kong, I’ve now been back for four years. I live in the city centre, just a few minutes from our office brandstore and showroom on the Herengracht, in the heart of the Nine Streets.
Living abroad shaped me deeply. Leaving everything behind and building a new life in different cultures taught me to let go, trust and grow from within. It was a transformative phase, one where I started feeling better by taking better care of myself. Working out played a big role in that shift.
At the same time, I noticed something was changing in the world around me. In the cities I lived like Singapore, Hong Kong and New York, I noticed how the way we care for ourselves was beginning to influence the way we dress. Where people once walked the streets in heels and tailored dresses, I started seeing activewear sets instead. Fashion was shifting, just like our collective awareness.
House of Gravity was born from that shift, both in me and in the world. I was looking for an activewear brand that fits that lifestyle. When I couldn’t find it, I decided to create it myself.
What inspired the name House of Gravity?
In a world that moves fast, I believe in the power of slowing down and reconnecting with what truly matters.
House of Gravity stands for that balance, between movement and stillness, strength and softness, the city and nature. It reflects a way of living that feels intentional, feminine and free. A rhythm that shifts from moments of deep connection with yourself to connection with others.
To me, it’s not just a brand name. It’s a feeling. A space where you come home to yourself in what you wear, and in how you move through life.
What was the core vision that guided you when you first founded the brand? How do you balance aesthetics with functionality?
I created House of Gravity after noticing a shift in how we approach fashion. More than ever, investing in our body, mind and soul has become essential to leading a balanced and fulfilling life. I wanted to create a lifestyle brand that aligns with how modern women actually live, combining performance with elegance.
We’re not just an activewear brand. We design versatile, high-quality pieces that women can wear throughout their day. From movement to meetings, from city walks to moments of calm. The balance between functionality and design lies at the heart of everything we do.
Today, House of Gravity is sold in over 60 stores across Europe and Asia, with a showroom in Milan and our flagship store in the heart of Amsterdam. We’ve grown steadily without outside investors, which has allowed me to stay true to the original vision. I still lead the brand creatively and strategically, together with a strong team of 12 intuitive women.
What’s your process when designing a new piece?
My inspiration for designing a collection always comes from my own rhythm, how I move through the day, from my travels, from living abroad and now from my daily life in Amsterdam. I create what I feel I need: pieces that move with me at every moment. From morning yoga to business meetings, from coffee dates to a run in the park or dinner with friends. I want to feel comfortable and feminine in everything I wear. That’s how the idea of Every(wear) was born. We design four collections per year, always in sync with how women live today. Our Active Collection is built for movement, from yoga to running to everything in between. Our City Collection is made to elevate your activewear: pieces you can layer, mix and match as you move through your day. This October, we’re launching our most refined concept yet: the Studio Collection. It’s a high-end capsule of timeless essentials designed to pair effortlessly with our activewear and elevate your wardrobe. Think: a tailored Studio Blazer, high-waisted Studio Legging, sculpting and soft, made to last.
What does a slow morning look like for you?
When I can, I love to start my day slowly, without my phone and by checking in with myself. Living in Asia for almost a decade taught me the value of that soft start, and I still try to hold onto that feeling. But I’ll be honest, as the brand grows and my schedule fills up, creating those slow mornings has become more of a challenge.
If I do have the space, I begin with movement. That might be our own Run Club or a Pilates class. Afterwards, I’ll take a moment for a green juice and a coffee before the rest of the day begins. One of my favourite rituals is walking from home, along the canals, to our office in the Nine Streets. A short walk that always gives me a moment of connection with myself before the energy of the day takes over.
And as always, our favorite question: how do you take your coffee?
A strong double shot cappuccino.
