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“It’s a pretty bold statement to say you’re the best," starts Vulpine founder Nick Hussey, adding "but looking around, we are."
Hussey started Vulpine in 2012 as an urban cycling apparel brand, and he says the ranges for both men and women are the widest in the market.
"We’re completely committed to urban apparel, not as a fashionable fad, but long-term, and I think it’s this passion for quality and specificity of design that customers can see is so authentic and true."
The company has started to roll out a series of product launches, starting with the Indian Summer collection which includes a ‘Made in Britain’ selection.
Hussey believes Brexit will prove a challenge, but could also provide opportunities: "Brexit has significantly increased the cost of our imported goods, but our gains on the business plan more than offset this."
He added: "Longer term we are looking to take advantage of more non-UK sales, as their relative prices have dropped."
The Indian Summer collection includes products manufactured in Lancashire.
"The brief last year, when we started to design for this season, was to upgrade everything if we could, to make ‘the best’. For instance, we’ve gone for industry-leading fabric quality, using extrafine pure Merino wool. It’s tough, but even softer and silkier.
"We’ve developed our own Epic Cotton formula with a high-tech mill in Italy. The blend is secret, but we’ve increased durability, reduced cotton colour fade and added stretch for on-bike fit. Even the socks feature fabric upgrades.
"We’re also launching the first of our promised Made in Britain range. The first garments are a based on our –much imitated – best-selling garment, the Harrington Rain Jacket. Made in Blackburn, the British Waxed Harrington Jacket is tartan lined, as traditional mod-style Harringtons once were, and the outer fabric is a washable waxed-cotton from British Millerain."
Vulpine has also launched a stretch-jean for men and women.
Hussey said: "We have one of the few women’s cycling jeans and certainly, I think, the best in the world. Comfort and fit are key, combined with natural indigo-dyeing for a darker, classier look."
