The idea is to die young as late as possible. — Ashley Montagu — Thursday April 10th — —

I love listening. It is one of the only spaces where you can be still and moved at the same time. — Nayyirah Waheed — Thursday April 10th — —

“What art does — maybe what it does most completely — is tell us, make us feel that what we think we know, we don’t. There are whole worlds around us that we’ve never glimpsed.” Greil Marcus — Thursday April 10th — —

Rapha City Spring/Summer 2014

We really like the recently released City collection of Rapha, with its beautiful lookbook shot in Mediterranean Barcelona. This season is the premiere of a new Italian-milled fabric, more breathable and faster drying, for the Long and Short Sleeve Shirts, and the addition of the Randonnée Shorts, technical and lightweight for city riding in hot and humid conditions. Overall spoken; there are new garments, colors, and redesigns across the Women’s and Men’s collections, and updates to luggage and accessories. Barcelona with its gothic splendor, beautiful beaches and Mediterranean vibes proved to be the perfect backdrop for the collection that goes way beyond just cycling wear. Some of the beautiful places the riders are caught for the lookbook are the beautiful neighborhoods El Raval, El Barri Gotic, L’Eixample and Gràcia, and at the former Olympic village; the Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc, Jardí Botànic and the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

The collection is very balanced in its offering; with lightweight jackets, slim-fitting shorts, polos and vests in summer colors; blue, heather grey, white and orange. A number of the accessories were slightly redesigned or updated, giving one the flexibility needed about town; with the perfect backpack as our favorite completing the collection and ensuring the collection with a more lifestyle-feel remains functional and bicycle centered. A highlight for us is the bomber jacket made from a breathable, windproof fabric with a water-resistant treatment and a soft, silky finish. The jacket has a stylish urban aesthetic and features discreet functionality that can be hidden when not riding. Semi-tailoring is also on offer, with a lapeled sports jacket using elastane and twin shoulder vents to maximise reach on the bike and a deliver a deconstructed look off. Another favorite of ours are the jeans, made from a pioneering material for the city cyclist, these rider-specific jeans are durable, fast drying and have stretch for ease of movement.

Overall this City collection fits the Rapha collection beautifully with its modern construction and performance fabrics appropriate for cycling, such as the mentioned quick-drying synthetic cotton, but always maintaining an aesthetic appropriate for the office or a spontaneous bar visit.

For more information and to buy online see here.