BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
British fashion designer and cycling fan Paul Smith has created a new collection of cycling clothes and accessories with Rapha.
Covering two seasons, the city riding product range has drawn inspiration from road racing. The range will be available in key Paul Smith retailers from October, as well as Rapha and Paul Smith.
We’ve got a couple of pics from the collection here and here.
Paul Smith has previously worked with the firm in 2007 on a Grand Depart Jersey to celebrate the London Tour de France prologue. The jersey is now a collector’s item, fetching at lest £300 on eBay, according to Rapha. In 2009 Paul Smith sponsored the Rapha Condor Sharp racing team and featured the riders on Paul Smith bags this summer. A limited edition Paul Smith version of Rapha’s Grand Tour Gloves was launched earlier in 2010.
The first products include the City Rain Jacket, jersey and luxury cycling accessories. Patches and panels in high visibility pink, striking colours and polka dot patterns will feature, as will the phrase ‘Freedom of the open road’ in Paul Smith’s handwriting.
The collection will be on show at Rapha Cycle Club in London and New York from July 16th for two weeks.
Sir Paul Smith said: “I am really pleased to be working with Rapha on this introductory collaboration. We have been friends with Rapha since the beginning and admire them very much. I hope we can add a little Smithy touch to their great products. The collaboration for next year will be extended to include more items.”
Rapha founder, Simon Mottram commented: “It’s a great honour to be working with Paul Smith again. Products for city riding are a growing part of the Rapha range and I’m sure that the expertise and design flair of Paul Smith will help us convert even more cyclists to higher quality, technical riding gear.”
