Rapha and fashion designer Paul Smith have come together to create a special edition riding collection. Drawing on a decades-long friendship between Paul Smith and Rapha Founder Simon Mottram that began because of the bike, Rapha notes that… ‘the collection speaks to both cycling and friendships, community and creativity.’
Rapha and Paul Smith’s 2023 collection takes inspiration from the bold, bright and highly-detailed 1960s golden era of cycling jersey design. The collaboration features a range of riding accessories. It includes an exclusive Rapha Cycling Club (RCC) jersey in the club’s eye-catching blue, plus a black version sporting the signature Paul Smith stripes (available via Paul Smith).
‘The contrasting colourways represent the idea that historical racing jerseys had two versions: the physical, full-colour jersey and the garment immortalised in monochrome that cycling fans would share as they gathered around the TV to watch racing together, or in the newspaper clippings they collected.’
With a leaping rabbit motif, artist stripe-inspired zip tape, reflective patch and contrasting RCC stripe, Paul Smith’s aesthetic complements Rapha’s designs – including the Classic Long Sleeve Jersey, Cap, Pro Team Shoes, Pro Team Socks, and Pro Team Full Frame Glasses.
Rapha’s Simon Mottram said “Paul and I are really just two long-time fans of cycling. We share decades of excitement about racing and veneration of cycling heroes – something that brought us together from the earliest days of our friendship.
“This collaboration was our opportunity to bring that shared history to life, and to tell the stories of so many other friendships founded in cycling from around the world.”
Paul Smith added “Collaborating with Rapha and Simon once again has been such an honour – working with someone with shared ideals is always a great pleasure. We were both brimming with ideas for this latest collection, and I hope it shines with our love of the sport as well as our fascination with vintage cycling jerseys.”
