# Rider Chic Fashion London Fashion Students Re-Think Classic Bicycle Apparel By Andrew Robichaud | Published 2009-06-16 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bike-fashion References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/bike-in-style.php) & [londoncyclechic.blogspot](http://londoncyclechic.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-cape-in-town.html) Students from the Fashion Institute of Technology and the [London College of Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daughters-of-rain) have been taking a serious liking to bicycle fashions. Claire Smith (LCF) designed the bike cape poncho that has multiple features other than its sleek look. The cape is made from recycled and water-resistant polyester on one side, and wool on the other. It also has mini pieces of Scotchbright reflector tape for safe visibility. Jackie Velasquez was award $5,000 for her innovative bike fashions, and her designs will be showcased as DKNY-prototypes this summer. Her ideas were awarded as a part of a [Louis Vuitton](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biker-messenger) sponsored contest to create [bicycle couture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dream-together) in the form of a poncho, travel bag, and jacket. Bicycle chic is riding its way into mainstream fashion at high speeds, pedaled by a younger generation of designers. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 40% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Bicycle Chic Fashion:** The growing popularity of bicycle fashion among young designers presents opportunities for innovative and sustainable materials, such as recycled polyester and water-resistant fabrics. - **Functional Bike Apparel:** Designers are re-thinking traditional bicycle apparel, incorporating features like reflector tape for safety and versatile fabrics like wool to create multi-purpose garments. - **Bicycle Couture Collaboration:** Fashion competitions and collaborations between established brands like Louis Vuitton and emerging designers provide a platform for showcasing innovative bike fashion concepts. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion Design:** Fashion designers can explore the intersection of style and functionality in bicycle apparel, using sustainable materials and incorporating safety features. - **Textile Manufacturing:** Textile manufacturers can respond to the demand for innovative fabrics that are both durable and climate-resistant to meet the needs of bicycle fashion designers. - **Outdoor Sports Equipment:** Companies specializing in outdoor sports equipment can collaborate with fashion designers to create stylish and functional bicycle accessories, like travel bags and jackets. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Long-Distance Cycling Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brevet.md) - [Collaborative Artistic Bicycle Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-carson.md) - [British Bicycle Apparel Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brompton-bicycle.md) - [Modest Cycling Gear Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cycling-hijab.md) - [Sustainable Eurovision Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ljmu.md) - [Broken Bike Lock Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/people-and-places.md) - [Art-Wear Cycling Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lauren-halsey-x-rapha.md) - [Sustainably-Focused Experimental Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-fashion-collection.md) - [Japanese Bike Culture-Themed Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neighborhood-x-palace.md)