THE NEW BRAND THAT REVIVES THE GOLDEN ERA
Dive into the vintage world of RetroMuscle with its founders:
Old-school bodybuilding still fascinates today.
Between 80s aesthetics, vintage styling and homage to the Golden Era, RetroMuscle is a brand that embodies this golden age.
We sat down with Cameron Nguele-Merlier, co-founder of RetroMuscle, to get a behind-the-scenes look at this exciting adventure.
RetroMuscle is, above all, a story of passion. Can you tell us about the origins of the project?
It all started on Instagram with Samuel Hartman, Valentin Berger and myself.
We wanted to create classic bodybuilding content while capturing the aesthetic of the 80s.
As a director and photographer, I had the means to produce quality visuals that paid homage to the bodybuilding archives and magazines of the time.
Little by little, we have gathered a community passionate about this old-school vibe.
From content creators to a clothing brand, how did this transition happen?
Our followers often asked us where to find 80s-style sportswear and gradually suggested we create our own brand.
Faced with this growing demand and the difficulty of finding beautiful vintage pieces, we decided to take the plunge.
We started small, printing premium wholesale t-shirts in Limoges.
The very first collection—a limited edition of 30 pieces—sold out in less than three minutes! This success confirmed to us that our community was truly waiting for these products.
When did you decide to move up a gear?
We quickly realized that printing on blank t-shirts limited our potential.
We wanted to offer 100% original pieces with retro cuts and authentic details.
Our first fully designed garment was the Neon World Pump Cover ,
which still remains our bestseller today.
We worked on the design by mixing several vintage pieces to create the perfect cut: wide but fitted, for an ideal aesthetic result.
How did the community react to this change?
The response was immediate. Our subscribers loved the new pump covers, but demand was growing.
We received frustrated messages like:
"Why post videos if the clothes aren't your brand?"
“Just one t-shirt available in your store is too few!”
It was clear that we had to go further and become a real clothing brand.
The turning point: an ambitious collection after your trip to Los Angeles
After our trip to LA in July 2024, we decided to take things to the next level.
We worked hard for several months to release a collection of 13 items , thought out down to the smallest detail.
It was an intense period: enormous pressure, financial stakes, logistical challenges... But it was worth it.
Community Reviews
What comes up most often in our customers' feedback is their feeling of standing out by wearing RetroMuscle.
Our clothes are unlike any other: bold colors, 80s-inspired cuts, and impeccable quality give each piece a real cachet.
Many people tell us that they feel transported back to the Golden Era when wearing our collections, and that's exactly our goal: to offer a unique experience, far beyond just clothing.
Successes and new challenges
The launch exceeded all our expectations.
Our inventory has depleted faster than expected, causing replenishment problems.
We had to review our logistics to meet demand.
Today, after almost five months of official existence as a brand, we have stabilized our structure and satisfied several thousand customers.
What are the next steps for RetroMuscle?
Our ambition is to offer a true immersion in this legendary era of bodybuilding, both through the style and the quality of our clothing. We also want to anchor ourselves more in reality by organizing events and establishing partnerships to promote small, old-school weight rooms, because that's our mission.
Any last words for vintage bodybuilding enthusiasts?
Thank you to everyone who follows us and is part of the RetroMuscle adventure. If you share a passion for old-school bodybuilding and vintage aesthetics, stay tuned, because some great surprises are coming!