MCPS Teacher Julie Lyst Named 2023 ‘Chubbies Brand Icon’

Quince Orchard High School Health and Special Education teacher Julie Lyst is going into her 13th year teaching. This year, she’s also heading into the schoool year as one of the popular clothing brand Chubbies’ 2023 Brand Icons.

Chubbies was founded in 2011 by a group of friends who found the traditional world of men’s capital-F-”Fashion” completely unrelatable. “We saw pictures of shirtless men with rippling ab muscles, some standing outside of storefronts coating you with cologne, with the message of “if only you buy our clothes you can try to be as cool as we are” – and we were absolutely repelled.” The clothing brand spent months searching, sorting through thousands of votes, and putting their skills to the test in a real Chubbies photoshoot, and recently announced five winners, that included MoCo’s very own Julie Lyst.

Lyst also coach JV girls soccer, JV girls basketball and varsity girls tennis. Over the years, she has taught at Roberto Clemente Middle, Lakelands Park Middle, and Montgomery Village Middle School. Lyst is a MoCo native who was born and raised in Silver Spring and graduated in 2003 from Albert Einstein High School. She started wearing Chubbies years ago because she loved the fun patterns and bright colors. “They’re all about being vibrant, having fun and feeling cool which fits my vibe perfectly. I also found that they offered the perfect fit for the type of clothes I wanted to wear. Their shorter length shorts really work for me as a woman and allow me wear the styles I like. Everything they make is so incredibly comfortable, stylish and functional…I find myself in a piece of their clothing every single day.” Lyst said.

Chubbies opened a contest this past April seeking “Brand Icons” and she immediately knew she had to apply. Her wife helped her record a silly video about why they should choose her and Chubbies liked it enough to put Lyst in the Top 12 out of thousands of entries. She was flown to California for her first ever professional photoshoot and had an absolute blast making friends and showing off her favorite brand.

The photos from the photo shoot will launch this fall/winter as part of their holiday collection! After the shoot, the company got together to pick their Top 5 and she was lucky enough to be selected. From this contest she had earned a 2-year modeling contract and free Chubbies apparel for 5 years! “It’s been an absolute dream to represent this company I have genuine love for and can’t wait to work with them over the next few years, especially as their first ever female brand icon!”