When you think of a fashion show, images of models strutting down the runway, designer pieces sparkling under the lights, and an audience captivated by the latest trends usually come to mind.
But for wellness coach Rory Warnock, a fashion show is about more than just aesthetics, it’s an opportunity to align the mind, body, and spirit.
In a groundbreaking move, Rory opened Karla Špetić’s Spring 2025 fashion show with an immersive breathwork session. This collaboration marked an iconic fusion of wellness and fashion, offering attendees a unique experience designed to engage more than just their sense of sight.
A Breath of Fresh Air
The idea behind the immersive breathwork session was simple: create a space where attendees could ground themselves and connect to the present moment before the show began. For Rory, breathwork isn’t just about deep breathing, it’s about opening a deeper connection to the body, the mind, and the world around us.
“Fashion is about more than just clothing, it’s about how we feel in our bodies,” Rory explains. “Breathwork is a powerful tool to help people drop into the present moment, calm their nervous system, and connect with their senses.”
The session, which lasted just a few minutes, featured three carefully crafted breathwork techniques, each designed to reduce stress, enhance focus, and promote a sense of calm. The curated music paired with Rory’s guidance helped deepen the audience’s connection to their breath, creating a heightened sense of awareness for the fashion that would follow.
The Power of Breathwork
Breathwork is rapidly gaining recognition as a tool for mental and physical well-being, and Rory is one of its leading proponents. His journey into the wellness space came after a personal struggle with anxiety and depression, which led him to explore holistic approaches like breathwork.
“In 2017, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and prescribed SSRIs,” Rory shares. “While searching for holistic modalities to improve my health, I discovered breathwork. The effects were immediate and so apparent that I decided to leave my career in FMCG sales to pursue a life of helping people feel happier and healthier through evidence-based breathwork.”
Now, Rory’s work spans a diverse range of clients, including global brands like Google, Apple, and Lululemon, as well as top athletes from the Sydney Swans and Olympians. But it’s his work in the fashion and wellness space that particularly intrigued the paper mâché studio.
Fashion Meets Mindfulness
The synergy between fashion and wellness is more than just a trend, it’s a reflection of the growing recognition that personal well-being is intrinsic to style. As Rory puts it, fashion isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good too. And that’s exactly what breathwork offers.
By incorporating breathwork into the opening of Karla Špetić’s fashion show, Rory helped attendees not only feel present but connected to their environment. It wasn’t just about the clothes; it was about the collective energy in the room, the people, and the very air they were breathing.
“Fashion is an expression of identity and emotion,” says Rory. “Breathwork helps individuals connect with their inner selves, which can enhance their experience of fashion. By incorporating breathwork into fashion events, we create a space where attendees can feel more grounded and attuned to the energy of the designs and the atmosphere. It’s about creating a holistic experience that engages both the mind and body.”
This melding of wellness and fashion is an example of how the fashion industry is evolving to become more inclusive of mental and emotional well-being. It’s not enough to simply look good anymore; people want to feel good, too.
A New Approach to Wellness
While breathwork is still somewhat niche in the mainstream wellness scene, Rory’s approach has garnered attention for its simplicity and effectiveness. His breathwork sessions are based on scientific principles and offer measurable benefits across stress reduction, focus enhancement, or simply a way to reconnect with yourself.
For those curious about starting breathwork, Rory offers a simple yet powerful starting point: “Start by becoming aware of your breath. Notice how you breathe throughout the day. Is it shallow, deep, fast, or slow? From there, you can explore different techniques. One simple practice is to inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 6 seconds. This can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation. Remember, your breath is a powerful tool that’s always with you.”
Photography by: @joshhilliam
What’s Next for Rory Warnock?
As breathwork becomes more mainstream, Rory is excited to explore new ways to integrate wellness into various industries. While his recent collaboration with Karla Špetić was a perfect blend of fashion and wellness, he’s also expanding his offerings to support more individuals and organisations in the wellness space.
“I’m excited to continue exploring collaborations that blend wellness with other industries,” Rory says. “Fashion is just one example of how breathwork can enhance experiences. I’m also working on expanding my online breathwork offerings and continuing to support individuals and organisations in integrating breathwork into their daily lives.”
