Pista Collective has some pretty rad shirts, I really like the “Move” design.

Available HERE

In June of this year, the Vigorelli velodrome became home to a fashion show during Milan’s mens fashion week.  Thom Browne’s Gamme Bleu collection for Moncler, inspired by the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia was on display- models riding around the velodrome to an orchestral version of Queen’s “Bicycle Race” and to Kraftwerks “Tour de France.”  I appreciate non-traditional venues for events, and an aged velodrome makes for an interesting fit for something like a fashion show.  You can see more of Moncler HERE- including the jackets designed by T.I….

Moncler Gamme Bleu Spring/Summer 2011 Runway from LAT Videos on Vimeo.

See more photos from Style.com (photos above taken from their site) HERE

Mission Workshop…  Poets of the cycling softgoods world.

rondel |ˈrändəl; ränˈdel|

noun

1 a rondeau, esp. one of three stanzas of thirteen or fourteen lines, with the first two lines of the opening quatrain recurring at the end of the second quatrain and the concluding sestet.

The fine folks at Mission Workshop have outdone themselves, yet again.  They’ve already set themselves apart by doing something different with bags that other bagmakers haven’t (the vandal looks pretty awesome)- and now they’ve pulled the rug out from under the casual bike shoe manufacturers by offering something that many of us have been waiting for.  Sure you can get bmx, freeride and downhill shoes that are SPD compatible- but they all look too much like skate shoes.  These things will look good with normal clothes and they don’t look like something from a Redbull commercial.  If you are looking for a shoe a little more casual than the (very beautiful) Dromartis, this could be your ticket.  Available soon.  You can get an email update when they hit the streets on from their website.

Well done fellas!

Henrik Vibskov. A Scandanavian fashion designer with a different way of doing things. The titles of the show’s he has produced are anything but boring. “Big Wet Shiny Boobies”‚ “The Solar Donkey Experiment”, “The Slippery Spiral Situation”, and “The Fantabulous Bicycle Music Factory” being just a few. Part runway show, part theater, part performance art- the models are part of a moving display.  Interacting with the “Fantabulous Bicycle” in something that, if nothing else, is interesting to watch.

I stumbled across a neat little company out of Sebastapool, California and dropped over to their website to see what they had in store.
First, I saw what they call their Traffic Master Jersey. I don’t know what it is, but this might be the first bright yellow jersey that I’d wear without feeling like I needed a helmet mirror and one of those rechargeable air horns.  It even has the United States Universal Vehicle Code, §11-1205

I also got a kick out of their Race Number Windbreaker.  Can’t seem to part with your race numbers?  Put them to good use with one of these..

Yes, they actually use race numbers that YOU send in.  I’m sure it’s way more comfortable than a jacket made of old spoke cards…

They have lots more to choose from, but below are some of my favorites.  Pick a little somethin’ up HERE.

They also have some neat stuff on their Confections page, including this rad pic of an old Frejus rider…

Good on ya Elevengear.com.

The only way these shirts could be more metal is if they were made of steel.  Christauf’s design was well received when we got this out a while back- now it’s time for you to wear it like you stole it.

These are hand pulled screen prints on black cotton shirts.  You can get your very own HERE.  They are $22 and help keep the lights on around here.  There are also some other designs up for sale.  Get one of everything.

See more of Christauf’s work HERE

Meet Pedaler. Very nice looking, made in the USA, giving back to the community….

From the site:

Pedaler Clothing is a cycling apparel line developed specifically for the street cyclist. Our goal is to create cycling apparel technical enough to endure the issues associated with a cycling commute or cycling in general, yet stylish enough to be considered street wear.

Each garment is designed for functionality, fashion, riding visibility and fabric sustainability. All garments are and will continue to be manufactured in the United States and all garments are unisex. A percentage of the net profits received from the sales of our garments will be donated to various cycling organizations around the nation, so that we can do our part spreading awareness of cycling issues, furthering pro-cycling legislation, and promoting cycling as an alternative mode of transportation, healthy lifestyle option, and an art and cultural movement. Please look at the “bike info” section of this site for the organizations that we are interested in.

We have a full line ranging from T-shirts to Bags all made in the United States. We have used either sustainable, organic or US made textiles on all of our garments and have placed emphasis on trying to use US sources for all trims and embellishments including our hardware for our bags, our wooden buttons and our reflective logos and accents.

Australia.  Home of Olivia Newton-John, Mel Gibson, INXS, Crocodile Dundee and Steve Irwin*. In recent years- a couple of the larger Australian cities have been home to a growing urban arts and cycling culture. On certain levels, the Aussies know whats up when it comes to style.  I think that there must be something in Fosters beer to inspire people’s creativity. Whether it be Le Pista Resistance, Fyxomatosis, Shifter Bikes, PAM, Knog, or Ashcan, there are a lot of big things coming from the smallest continent in the world.

Here we have Australian Nicole Kidman- breaking into acting with her first starring role in the 1983 film BMX Bandits. If you haven’t seen it….

Wow.  It’s… something.

Fast forward to today- there is a shop in Sydney by the name of Supply- that along with an impressive number of streetwear brands, now has a house brand by the name of Domestique. I got a sneak peek on Le Pista Resistance who says that there are many other goodies coming soon. I was impressed with what they’ve got so far:

*Author’s note: I apparently misjudged Australia’s capacity to be birthplace of individuals famous in pop culture.  Mel Gibson was not born in Australia, nor was Olivia Newton John.  Steve Irwin, Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee) and INXS are however shining examples of the talent born in Australia.  Guy Pierce was born down under, as was Yahoo Serious.  So take that.  I seems that those that are raised in Australia have become “more famous” than many that were born there.

I have hopes that you’ve heard of Outlier Tailored Performance by now.  A company out of New York incorporating their love of the bicycle into the clothing that they design.  A fondness for wool and classic details sets them apart from many of the clothiers offering products on the market today.  They work with the people making their clothes and most are tailored in New York.  Built to last, with style that is timeless- their clothing line looks very impressive.

Their Spring Storm caps are made from water resistant and breathable Loro Piana wool and lined on the inside.  Available in 3 sizes so you can get the right fit. $80.00

Their merino wool polo shirt looks very comfortable and should wear well.  It’s hard to beat the comfort of Merino wool. $97.00

The Workwear pant is Outlier’s way of sidestepping what people know as trousers and putting a spin on it.  They aren’t trying to mimic what is already available.  Riding in most trousers is usually less than ideal, so they started over.  They started with a bicycle and built pants around them.  $188.00

The Outlier Pivot Sleeve dress shirt looks well designed and much thought has gone into it.  From the bike to the office.  Seamlessly.  Beautiful work.  $144.00

The Outlier website is full of information about the products they offer, their sizing and seems up to date with what they have in stock.  They also will cover return shipping if you picked the wrong size.  These things happen.

The pricepoint is a fair bit higher than average street duds, more akin to fine dress clothes, or dare I say… Rapha wear.  Outlier garmets are made in the United States, New York even- with quality materials and an attention to detail.  In this instance, it appears that you are getting what you pay for.

That being said, I haven’t had the opportunity to wear any of their clothing, but look forward to at some point.  I right about Outlier because I love the idea of companies making clothing for people that ride, but those that may not want to get decked out in spandex.  The bicycle is a perfect blend of form and function and Outlier clothing seems to be a good match for the bicycle.   Outlier is a small company with big ideas- and we like that.  Keep on keepin’ on Outlier.

Laek House is consistently bringing t-shirts to market that look good and also pay homage to the roots of cycling.  These most recent tees are no exception.

The Tom Simpson:

Upgrades:

Available HERE