Butter Ja founder Marissa Chisum turns fitness passion into inclusive activewear line

Jamaican fitness enthusiast Marissa Chisum is building Butter Ja, an activewear brand she says grew out of more than six years of training and a desire to share what she has learnt in the gym with other women.

Chisum said the business had been in development for about two years before she officially launched it last July on her birthday. During that period, she researched suppliers, reviewed samples and tested vendors to get the quality and feel she wanted.

The name, she explained, came from the Jamaican expression “butter” and the idea of fabric feeling smooth against the body. Chisum said that reaction came while she was assessing samples and realised the material matched what she had been trying to create.

Butter Ja is aimed at women with different body types, with Chisum saying inclusivity is central to the brand. She said the process came with setbacks, but her commitment to fitness and the product made the work worthwhile.

Several designs were shown during the segment. The red Chili set includes an internal bra for added support and coverage. The Alexis set features an open back, a twist detail at the front and waist compression. A tennis or golf-inspired skirt set includes built-in shorts, thumb-hole detailing and bust support. Another piece, Valeria, was presented as a more mature, stylish option with internal support and waist-shaping details.

Chisum said her best-selling item had already sold out, while Valeria was also moving quickly. The wider Butter Ja range includes jumpsuits, short sets, full sets, skirt sets and accessories such as leg warmers, gloves and silicone gloves. She said support from friends, family, customers and her community has helped the brand grow, and that more plans are in progress.