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Rapha fashion/style fascism?

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  1. gembo
    Member

    That might be a bit strong and I will try to get something in their sale, usually sold out in middle sizes except in less popular colours. Also sometimes I think their armband trademark thingy looks a but squint?

    The stuff is good. But the only reason they can charge so much for polyester garments presumably made in china? I will ask. is that the brand has achieved an exclusivity.

    I loved the spoof website last year. The black and white photography is always top notch and there is at least one old guy gets in the pictures but it does all exude extreme wealth, as I guess it is supposed to. (Slightly more normal prices with some team sky stuff and some even more ridiculous prices with their Raeburn range)

    On their facebook page there was a link to a company inthe USA Filson. This company making a point of higlighting that theirngarments are made in USA. Lovely waxed cotton jacket only $260, I am medium and liked the blue colour if anyone feeling generous.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. Bhachgen
    Member

    Local (to me) online only magazine Spin Cycle had a spoof ad in each issue for their Cheapa brand of "Northern Road Wear" (see page 27 of issue 5 for example).

    Aside from the NW England focus, their main USP is the photography so Rapha and that style of advertising is a good target for them. They seem to have stopped Cheapa after issue 5, but given they have started to attract some advertisers now that perhaps shouldn't be a surprise. No complaints if it allows the guys behind it to earn some reward for their work while keeping it free to read.

    Issue 6 actually has a couple of Scottish-related articles which may be of interest to some on here...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. gembo
    Member

    Nicely even handed in its satire. Liked the one in issue 3 of the chap wearing a tea cosy as an hat.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. gembo
    Member

    I have had word back from Rapha. Their bib shorts made in Italy. The Raeburn really really dear range in UK. rest appears to be china. They use the Firm KTC set up by Austrians
    In hong kong in seventies. Now big Chinese firm. Apparently we must not think they are doing this to cut costs.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. SRD
    Moderator

    Anyone else read Ned Boulting's _On the road bike_.?

    Love his Rapha chapter.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  6. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Anyone else read Ned Boulting's _On the road bike_.?

    Yes. It's quite revealing about the founder's dismay at the homespun world of British cycling (I was going to say contempt but it's perhaps not that strong). Selling bogus retro. It would be easy to dismiss if the kit wasn't so good.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  7. gembo
    Member

    Anyone tried the Torm range of Rapha copies using the same sport wool 40% merino 60 % polyester at a fraction of the price? It is also possible to get jerseys with merino next to skin and polyester on outside, think that is Embers brand cheaper than Rapha and also 100% merino retro jerseys that I like the look of from Internet for £85 from the Jura cycle company.

    With these products you are taking a punt. With Rapha you know their stuff is good. Next time they have a sale I might even buy something.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    "Selling bogus retro"

    Retro has to be bogus unless 'genuine' originals. Probably 'genuine' repro wouldn't always count as "retro"!

    "

    Retro style is style that is consciously derivative or imitative of trends, modes, fashions, or attitudes of the recent past. It generally implies a vintage of at least fifteen or twenty years. For example, clothing from the 1980s or 1990s could be retro.

    "

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retro_style

    "It would be easy to dismiss if the kit wasn't so good."

    To some extent that is obviously a subjective judgement! It's easy to 'hate' Rapha and/or mock its stuff and users and question it's supply chain (probably less so than most 'fashion retailers) but it's done what it has done (approve or not) with flair, style, consistency and above-average integrity.

    Overpriced? Almost certainly - that's what "brands" do to encourage exclusivity. I'm sure there are people who object to the 'superior' male chic (life)style, but still appreciate good photography - and the slight pink.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  9. gembo
    Member

    See also cafe du cycliste kit which is actually more stylish than Rapha. At about the same price. I like their French sailor style cycling top. Curiously the boys tops all have girls names and the girls tops all have the same girls names but say women e.g. Women's violette top

    Again I do not know if it lasts, washes ok, chafes etc. As I am loathe to spend a. Lot for something I cannot try on. Team tunnocks from thecyclejersey.com in Falkirk not too pricey. Also note that Foska have brought out a startlingly red Heinz Ketchup top that would get you seen.

    What do people think of the brown check top of AG2R that Blel Kadri was sporting as he accelerated up the mountains of the Vosges yesterday?

    Posted 9 years ago #

  10. PS
    Member

    What do people think of the brown check top of AG2R that Blel Kadri was sporting as he accelerated up the mountains of the Vosges yesterday?

    I quite like the AG2R kit. In that I'm in the minority of most cycling fans who express a preference; however, I've always been a fan of earthy colours, whereas these others seem to dislike it on the somewhat puerile basis that brown looks like poo...

    Posted 9 years ago #

  11. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    I don't like the AG2R kit. It seems to be taking its styling cues from some other textile. Maybe not as bad as the Garmin Argyll pattern but similar.

    I don't think cafe du cycliste is for me. I like these though:

    Posted 9 years ago #

  12. amir
    Member

    Brown and blue - hmmmm

    Posted 9 years ago #

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