The working day (replete with plenty of tea breaks) can go by a lot quicker when your colleagues are also your mates. And if you're lucky enough to work with them on a project that's also your favourite pastime, it must hardly feel like work at all!
“Paul and I are really just two long-time fans of cycling,” says Rapha founder Simon Mottram in the press release for his cycling brand's latest collaboration with Paul Smith. “We share decades of excitement about racing and veneration of cycling heroes - something that brought us together from the earliest days of our friendship.”
Having collaborated for over a decade, the two-wheel enthusiasts have looked to the golden era of jersey design for this year’s take. The British tailoring brand’s famed stripes are placed on top of a bunny-jacquard base – the leaping rabbit motif nods to one of Smith’s favourite collectable items – on a selection of cycling jerseys, bib shorts, shoes, caps and sunglasses. Reflective patches allow for safer riding while the RCC (Rapha Cycling Club) stripes will make sure you get the approving nods from fellow fans of the brand (and rest assured, they'll notice). And in keeping with both brands' commitment to detail, the sets come in navy and black to pay tribute to the how colourful riding outfits and monochrome looks appeared in black and white newspaper images.
“Working with someone with shared ideals is always a great pleasure,” says Smith. “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.” Teamwork makes the dream work, after all.
Shop the Rapha and Paul Smith collaboration here.
