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Jun
2
You know, when we launched the Urban Legend fashion show at the 2008 show, we really tried to create a different kind of fashion show. The focus of the show would be on urban and utilitarian cycling wear, emphasizing the growing community of designers of cycling apparel that deliberately didn’t look like traditional technical cycling clothes. This was apparel designed so that the wearer would not draw a second glance from others when not astride a bike. With the growing use of bikes for everyday transportation in recent years, we endeavored to give members of the industry a glimpse at a trend that was largely being created outside of the mainstream bike industry.
While the concept of models dancing on a stage in bike wear seems to work in Europe, we didn’t believe that the format was ideal for the US market and the style of apparel we were looking to feature. In search of the right format to showcase this apparel at the show, I came across a video of Momentum Magazine’s small fashion show that they had put on in an art gallery in Vancouver the previous year. The concept of the models actually showing the outfits while riding bikes on a small bike path throughout the audience was genius. A quick phone call to Mia at Momentum got the ball rolling and we’ve had two great fashion shows so far that have really struck a cord with the industry and cycling community.
But while the dancing-models-on-a-stage concept might not have worked for Urban Legend in the late 2000’s (aughts? ’00’s?), it obviously has worked at Interbikes past. Take a look at this scan that I took from the 1984 Interbike event guide.
In 1984, Interbike was in Las Vegas and the Rams were still based in Los Angeles. For those not in North America, the Rams – now based in St. Louis – are a professional gridiron football team. I can’t think of a choice of models more diametrically opposed in both appearance and spirit to those we’ve used in Urban Legend than pro football cheerleaders. Though judging by the number of ads in the magazine for super shiny bright skin-tight Lycra jerseys and shorts, I suppose they were an appropriate choice for the styles popular at the time.
There are some choice quotes from the text to enjoy along with the mental image that the thought of mid ’80’s cheerleaders conjures, too:
Star attractions of the show will be the L.A. Rams Cheerleaders, fresh from an appearance on the George Burns television special.
I’d bet that they’d also been featured in an episode of the Love Boat.
While she wouldn’t reveal specifics prior to curtain time, she hinted at some truly memorable moments–including a slow-motion triathlon…
Now that’s a coincidence. I performed a slow-motion triathlon once, too. But unfortunately, it was at the Cape Cod Sprint Triathlon back in ‘93.
Not surprisingly, it was my one and only tri.
I’m clearly having some fun at the expense of my predecessors here at Interbike who worked hard to bring you this show. But lest you think that I have something against cheerleaders, here’s a photo of me at the Tour of Palm Springs a few years back with the Xavier Prep School Saints cheerleaders who were enthusiastically welcoming all riders into one of the rest stops.
Oct
8
Urban Legend Fashion & Art Show Video
Filed Under Attendee News, Cycling, Events, Exhibitor News, Gear, Industry News, Interbike, Video | 2 Comments
In case you missed this awesome event at this year’s Interbike. A lot of hard work went into producing the first Urban Legend fashion and art show by the Interbike operations and Momentum magazine teams in a few short weeks leading up to the show. Bravo!
Aug
29
Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show
Filed Under Attendee News, Cycling, Exhibitor News, Industry News, Interbike | 5 Comments
So in a last minute flurry of creative activity here, we’ve managed to put together something that we’re really excited about. Check out the blurb below that was sent out to retailers yesterday by email as the first official announcement of our brand new “Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show” at Interbike this year:
Urban Legend
Presented by Momentum Magazine
Bikes, Art and Fashion in motion. A self propelled cycling art and fashion show that brings the cutting edge of urban bicycle culture to life. Cycling for transportation is one of the hottest sectors in the bike industry today. A change is happening on the streets and people are integrating bikes into their everyday lives. Urban Legend is about expanding our perceptions of what it looks like to ride a bike. Immerse yourself in the trends of the urban cycling category and join us for a unique preview of the latest products designed for practical cycling style and function. Witness the evolution of urban transport, enjoy a cold beer, some dj-spun tunes and take in art inspired by a passion for bicycles. This fashion show will highlight a range of stylish, smart, sexy and professional looks that fit into everyday life and work great on a bike.
“The urban cycling market is different than the ‘Ricky Racer’ crowd – the typical lycra scene is not exactly what appeals to the urban rider. The Urban Legend fashion show highlights the more accurate wants and needs of the urban cyclist and helps spotlight ideas to help retailers provide those items to the urban riders who are walking into their stores.” – Tim Jackson, Brand Manager, Masi Bicycles
Location: Venetian Ballroom G
Time: Thursday, September 25th, 5pm
For the last few years we’ve talked here in the office about trying to put on a fashion show at Interbike, but could never really come up with the right format. The traditional runway style with models in bike apparel walking a catwalk never seemed appropriate. We’ve also been talking about ways to feature all the great gear and bikes that have been cropping up for urban and transportation cycling, with no real success.
Then a couple of weeks ago, I read on Tim Jackson of Masi Bicycles blog that he was planning a trip up to Vancouver which would include a visit with the Momentum Magazine team. It had been a while since I had checked in on Momentum and after reading about a small fashion sow they had done, I was really impressed with the format they came up with and thought it was perfect for both those things we had been wanting to put together in Vegas. I called up Mia at Momentum and introduced myself and we chatted for a bit about the concept she said they were interested in helping us do it on a bigger scale in Vegas.
So what’s the big deal about this fashion show? Well, for starters the models will be riding urban, folding, utilitarian and commuting bikes. Second, the outfits that Momentum will be selecting (not us – we trust Mia and her team’s eye for style more than ours) from industry apparel companies will be urban and casual cycling wear – not the enthusiast and racing-inspired attire like lycra shorts and euro-pro jerseys. We love those styles, but in the current climate of growing acceptance and use of bikes in everyday life, we believe that retailers and manufacturers would benefit most from seeing the latest in these styles and how they look in action.
OK, so the apparel theme is a bit different…what else? This is the coolest part, to me. Instead of a typical runway setup, there will be a course laid out on the floor of the ballroom in a loop. The attendees to the show will be standing in and around the loop and the models will ride essentially among the audience. This way, it shows the outfits in their designed-for use and allows most everyone there to have a front row seat. With the addition of the bicycle-inspired artwork displayed throughout the room, the feel should be very reminiscent of an art gallery showing – truly enhancing the presentation of the bikes and the fashion to a higher level that they deserve. There will be drinks served and a dj spinning tunes.
So that’s it in a nutshell. Since this really is a late addition to the schedule, expect more info and news very soon and as we get closer to the show. I think this will be an awesome addition to the show and a resource to the industry for this important and growing category. We’re really glad to have Momentum partnering with us on this and thankful for their inspiration. After the show, we can all head down to Mandalay Bay for some fast and furious (sorry) crit racing that night. What a week we’ve got ahead of us, huh?
Note: In his quote above and in our collateral about the fashion show, Tim followed his “Ricky Racer” comment with a “not that there’s anything wrong with that” type qualifier. I took it out for better flow, but just wanted to help Tim avoid any angry emails or digs directed at him from the Ricky Racer crowd, of which I am a proud member. I’m looking forward to the fashion show myself for some ideas on how to broaden my bike attire from all the primary colored polyester that fills my bike drawer. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, right?