Bring bring! Bring bring! Get out of the way! OK so it’s been a while since we were on a bike despite falling in love earlier this year with a beautiful two-wheeler that Gant commissioned for their spring summer collection which seemed to reflect the general ‘cool’ buzz around cycling in recent years. But now we’re even more tempted to shave our legs and hit the peloton/mean streets of Stockport after seeing one of our favourite designers Paul Smith teaming up again with cool cycling label Rapha to create some functional and very wearable cycling wear (paunches not withstanding).

 The two companies first worked together in 2007 on a Grand Départ Jersey to celebrate the Tour de France prologue in London. Paul Smith went on to sponsor the Rapha Condor Sharp racing team in 2009. A limited edition Paul Smith version of Rapha’s Grand Tour gloves were launched this summer and the Rapha Condor Sharp team have already featured on Paul Smith bags this season.

The collection this season comprises of six items including; a City Rain jacket, jersey and luxury cycling accessories. This capsule range will be extended further next spring with additional jerseys, trousers and accessories. All of the products will be branded Rapha + Paul Smith.

The Autumn collection combines leading technical fabrics and details with striking colours and polka dot patterns. Patches and panels in high visibility pink continue a new visibility approach featuring on Rapha’s core line of city riding products this autumn. The phrase ‘Freedom of the open road’, in Paul Smith’s hand-writing features as embroidery on key pieces.

Products launching this autumn:

• The Rapha + Paul Smith Rain Jacket is available in purple or black and comes with its own carry pouch to keep belongings dry when storing the rain jacket in a bag. Fully waterproof, with fully taped seams. Visibility is improved by the inclusion of high-vis pink cuffs and a drop-down tail that zips away when you’re not on the bike.

• A Rapha + Paul Smith merino jersey is offered in purple and black with a reflective hi-vis dot on the back pocket and chest. Details include a quarter length Riri zip and contrast colour tipping on the collar and cuffs.

• The Rapha + Paul Smith accessories for Autumn-Winter includes a knitted winter hat with hi-vis yarn running through the ear flap and a purple polka dot liner, a polka dot jacquard cap with purple text under the peak, full fingered leather gloves with a hi-vis velcro adjustment band, a polka dot print silk scarf and an essentials case with purple lining and Riri zip.

Sir Paul Smith said of the collection, “I am really pleased to be working with Rapha on this introductory collaboration. We have been friends with Rapha since the beginning and admire them very much. I hope we can add a little Smithy touch to their great products. The collaboration for next year will be extended to include more items.”

Rapha founder Simon Mottram commented, “It’s a great honour to be working with Paul Smith again. Products for city riding are a growing part of the Rapha range and I’m sure that the expertise and design flair of Paul Smith will help us convert even more cyclists to higher quality, technical riding gear.”

Rapha + Paul Smith products will be available exclusively online from the Rapha and Paul Smith websites and from key Paul Smith retailers.

http://www.paulsmith.co.uk

http://www.rapha.cc