CYCLE FASHION #01
―The cycle items designed by fashion brands.ー

Trends exist in various industries and categories. Among them, the fashion industry is particularly notable; it cannot speak of its products without trends. From broader aspects like mood and region to finer details such as colors and textiles, the scope of trends extends widely.

Current major trends include responses to environmental issues, LGBTQ+, and wellness. Wellness is a term widely used to define not only physical health but also mental well-being and the intent to live better. Clear examples include mindfulness and sports. With such backgrounds (trends) in mind, the fashion industry is closely eyeing the sports scene. Following yoga and running, particularly in the recent Japanese market, golf has gained significant attention. And the next impending wave seems to be bicycles.

From the official agnès b. website:

The French brand agnès b. released cycling jerseys for the spring/summer season this year. Their collaboration partner was the French outdoor brand “Cafe du Cycliste.” Sportswear demands high expertise not just in design but also in fabric, stitching, and details, all varying across different sports. If a fashion brand genuinely aims to design athletic wear, it’s natural to collaborate with brands specializing in those specific sports. In the summer, the women’s brand Shrimp, with its playful taste, collaborated with Rapha to release a cycling wear collection, following this trend.

From the Shrimp official website:

Recently, the outdoor apparel brand Gerry has launched a bicycle helmet. While it’s an American brand, the helmets are manufactured by a Japanese bicycle parts manufacturing company and are set to be sold in Japan ahead of their release in the United States, starting this month. With the mandatory effort for wearing helmets initiated this year, there’s an inevitable demand for gear and helmets that don’t appear too serious for riding around town. The matte texture and ventilation with sporty yet not overly conspicuous details embody the finishing touch characteristic of an apparel brand’s creation.

I’m looking forward to seeing how fashion brands will approach cycling wear and bicycle items in the future.

Text_ Mayumi Kamura

Profile

Mayumi Kamura
I’m a Global Ride editor. My expertise lies in visual expressions like design, art, fashion, and more. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted me to focus on my physical and mental health. I started playing tennis and resumed taking contemporary dance lessons. Considering that bicycle-related accessories often boast high design quality, I have a feeling I might become a fan during this experience.

CULTURE
Introduction of HOW TO videos on Japanese bicycle traffic rules.

Introducing a How-To Video on Traffic Rules for foreign cyclists who are interested in cycling in Japan. In Ehime Prefecture, which hosts the largest cycling event in Japan called “Cycling Shimanami,” they promote bicycle tourism and provide an introduction to basic rules of cycling such as traffic regulations and riding on the left side of the road in English. They also explain exceptions where cycling on sidewalks is allowed and provide important points to note in such cases. Additionally, they provide clear explanations of prohibited behaviors. Please take a look at the video for more information. *Note: While basic bicycle traffic rules are generally the same nationwide, some municipalities may have their own unique rules.

#Rule #Traffic
CULTURE
Circle of Cycling Friends Ring-Tomo!
#03 Shinji Iwanami

Connecting people who enjoy rides.”Ring-Tomo” from the first Japanese Tour de France participant, Daisuke Imanaka, is here with Shinji Iwanami. He’s a professional cycling guide at “HOSHINOYA Fuji.” What kind of rides has he been doing recently? Table of Contents  Profile 1. What’s your beloved bicycle? 2. What’s your favorite cycling route? 3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it? 4. The ride event you’d like to participate in next and why? 5. The most memorable moment in your cycling life? 6. Your favorite cycling gear and why 7. What does cycling mean to you? Introduction of the next guest. Profile Name Shinji IwanamiJob H […]

#RingTomo
CULTURE
Music Cycles Around The World
#02 France
Catia “Saudade de Paris”

In this second instalment of our new series Music Cycles Around The World, themed around “cities and music” and inspired by the idea of travelling the world through music on two wheels, we turn our attention to France — in celebration of the 2025 Tour de France, which kicks off on 5 July from the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Though it’s been nearly 20 years since my last visit, I travelled to France many times throughout the 1990s and 2000s. My first trip to Paris was 33 years ago, when I spent every waking hour scouring the city for records — especially French cinema soundtracks. That trip played a key role in inspiring me to open my own shop, Café Après-midi. Later, in early summer 1999, I ret […]

#France #Column