Rapha x Paul Smith A/W 2010
Cycling clothes get dandy in a collaboration joining two renowned British clothiers
by Summer Seventysix
Yesterday we got a sneak peek at the latest from Rapha, the British makers high-end cycle clothing. It featured pieces from the upcoming AW10 range and a much anticipated collaboration with Paul Smith, on show at Rapha’s soon-to-close pop-up cafe in Clerkenwell. Our man on the ground picked his favourites.
Following the successful release of a line of accessories, the Paul Smith clothing tie-up is for the next two seasons, and the man’s signature color purple was very much in evidence combined with Rapha’s own pink flourishes, and a decent dose of black. The stand-out examples can be seen above: a mid-weight merino jersey, flamboyant polkadot silk scarf and a beautifully cut rain jacket, all designed to fit in with Rapha’s move to provide more options for the city cyclist.
With that in mind, the brand also unveiled its new jeans, which have been two years in the making. Made of a specially developed water-repellant, shape-maintaining, denim-style fabric, they include a place to hold your D-lock. Once turned-up, they also reveal a none-too-subtle Rapha logo, and reflective pink seam.
Our favourite piece from the new Autumn-Winter season, though, is the new merino cyclocross jersey. Rapha recently hooked up with bike brand Focus to sponsor a cyclocross team in the US, and this jersey features their signature candy-stripe color scheme on black background. Also available is a full bodysuit, for those feeling particularly brave.
All the new gear is expected to start appearing on Rapha’s site from the start of September, as well as in selected stores.
