Wheels & Heels - Background
The New Season’s Accessories
As part of London Fashion Week, East London’s Columbia Road will be transformed from Flower Market to High Fashion Catwalk on Thursday, 14 February, with wheels and heels predicted to be the new trend for the season.
The public event, the first of its kind by Hackney Council and Tower Hamlets Council, aims to achieve a greater uptake of cycling by women by demonstrating how cycling can influence a girl’s wardrobe. Models will glide down the catwalk on bicycles in a positively un-lycra but completely runway fashion.
Councillor Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“Current research by the Department for Transport indicates that women of all ages cycle less than men, with the difference greatest among people aged 17-20 years.
“Hackney Council aims to attract and increase the number of female cyclists within London, but understands that a barrier to women taking up cycling is its image. Therefore, we are pleased to promote cycling through a different medium, fashion, and hope this innovative event will demonstrate it to be a fashionable and sustainable mode of transport that will attract women of all ages.”
Local, independent talent will shine a new light on cycling fashion, with the designs on the catwalk just as at home on the high street as on a bike.
Boulder Boutique, Smeear, Hoai-oanh Vu, Archie’s Grobags, Swallow, Dashing Tweeds, Keith James, Two N Fro, Rose & Buck, Shop 172 and Cyclodelic are just some of the designers who will be showing their collections on the night.
The Wheels & Heels cycle fashion show will start at 6pm, after which, visitors will be able to sample the shops and venues in and around Columbia Road, Hoxton and Shoreditch.
For more information contact Louisa Clarke, Sustainable Transport Planner, Hackney Council, on 020 8356 8189 or louisa.clarke@hackney.gov.uk
Designers Showing at Wheels & Heels
Archie’s Grobags make the toughest, most comfortable, feature packed messenger bags, backpacks, and hip bags available. Rapidly gaining a loyal following from bike couriers and commuters alike. Every aspect of the designs from the first idea to the last stitch is executed by the brands owner and designer.
E: scott@archiesgrobags.co.uk
W: www.archiesgrobags.co.uk
b:inc is the collection of smart, yet perfectly functional men's jackets, jeans and tops designed by Keith James, who works at Condor and is a freelance designer at Rapha.
E: kjames1980@yahoo.co.uk
Boulder Boutique is a collection of stylish and high-performance garments that utilise the amazing natural properties of merino wool, and waterproof, breathable fabrics. Feminine styling and Scandinavian-inspired prints bring a quirky fresh aesthetic to active urbanites.
E: alexa.pearson@btinternet.com
W: www.alexapearson.co.uk
Cyclodelic specialises in accessories that take you from the bike to the boardroom to the bar, recently launching a range of waterproof and reflective bags, belts and cuffs. Clients include Dawn Porter and Sustrans.
E: info@cyclodelic.com
W: www.cyclodelic.com
Dashing Tweeds offers an inventive and stylish solution to attire for the cyclist, with a unique weave of wool worsted and reflective yarn LumatwillsTM. Smart by day, illuminating by night.
E: guy@dashingtweeds.co.uk
W: www.dashingtweeds.co.uk
Glovedup creates contemporary and unique fingerless gloves for discerning fashion addicts.
E: info@glovedup.com
W: www.glovedup.com
Hoai-oanh Vu, a recent CSM graduate, is the designer behind the Cycle Head Dress, an innovative product which ensures that glamour and style remain whilst wearing a helmet.
E: hioanhy@gmail.com
Rose & Buck have created a range of women’s cycling apparel that incorporates sustainably manufactured textiles and concentrates on individuality, sexiness, performance and style.
E: msbuck@hotmail.co.uk
Swallows is the debut range by Saville Row's Jan Cicmanec. Inspired by Victoriana and swallows the ranges highlights include bright, printed silk scarves, tweed caps and fitted, leather trimmed cycle coats.
E: jancicman@jancicmanec.co.uk
W: www.jancicmanec.com
Smeear is handmade hats and apparel from recycled fabrics. A well established member of the fixed gear scene, Smeear has sponsored the bicycle film festival and numerous alley cats.
E: smear@googlemail.com
W: www.smeear.co.uk
Two N Fro is all the gear head to toe, wheel to wheel that one might need riding your bicycle back and forth in a city. 4 seasons on 2 wheels in the city requires function to flirt with fashion.
E: karta@twonfro.com
W: www.twonfro.com
Page updated: 28 Feb 2008