Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Song, Dance and Bicycle Romance: The Interbike Fashion Show




Interbike Fashion Show, Linus Bikes & Chrome Apparel
bicycles: Linus, outfits: Chrome, models: unknown
Now in its 4th year, the Interbike City Style Fashion Show, presented by Momentum Magazine, was a production in true Las Vegas style. The models - all real bicyclists with healthy body mass indices and mischievous grins - didn't just cycle down the runway. They pranced, twirled, froze in fetching tableaux, and performed choreographed little dance numbers worthy of a small scale musical - against an ever-changing backdrop representing North American cities.




Interbike Fashion Show, Polka Dot Scarf, Cruiser
model: Susi Wunsch of VeloJoy, dress: Nona Varnado, bicycle: unknown
Each model would begin with the standard runway walk, then, seemingly spontaneously strike an outrageous pose or break out into a full on dance routine. Could this have been inspired by Glee?






Interbike Fashion Show, Sun Atlas
bicycle: Sun Atlas, outfit and model: unknown
Whatever the inspiration, it was a great display of showmanship, keeping the audience entertained and energized.






Interbike Fashion Show, Bella Ciao Superba, Basil Pannier
bicycle: Bella Ciao Superba; panniers: Basil, outfit and model: unknown
After doing their thing on the stage, the models would ride down a ramp and proceed along a cycle path marked with sharrow decals that wound through the spectators' area, adding an interactive element to the show and creating multiple focal points.



Interbike Fashion Show, DJThe DJ did an excellent job keeping the energy levels high, and even while taking photos I found myself moving and snapping to the beat.




Interbike Fashion Show, Bella Ciao Superba, Christiania Cargo Trike
bicycle: Christiania cargo trike; model and outfit: unknown
It was all great theater, though on a critical note I am not sure how well it worked as a fashion show per se.






Interbike Fashion Show, Gazelle and Ortlieb
bicycle: Gazelle Basic, model and outfit: unknown
I found it surprising that the designers were not named and the pieces worn by the models were not vividly described. If the point of the fashion show was to exhibit new lines of cycling-specific apparel and introduce the audience to new designers, I did not really feel that happening. It's possible there was a brochure I missed where this information was provided [edited to add: yup, there was - someone's just emailed me a copy and I've posted it here], but even then I feel that it should have been a prominently vocalised part of the show itself.






Interbike Fashion Show, Biomega and Neo-Baroque Dress
bicycle: Biomega, dress: Sheila Moon, model: unknown
This neo-Edwardian dress - which is difficult to photograph but looks stunning in person - was my favourite piece, but unfortunately I did not know who made it or anything else about it at the time of the show. I've since been told it's by Sheila Moon, but I do not see it on her website - link to the dress anyone? I have a dozen photos of it, but as luck would have it most of them came out blurry!






Interbike Fashion Show, Handsome Bicycle
bicycle: Handsome Cycles, trench: Madame de Pe
Another piece that stood out was this cape-like trenchcoat, with its unusual tailoring. I imagine the tent-like shape is to keep the knees dry in the rain.






Interbike Fashion Show, Will of Boxcycles on E-Bike
model: Will of BoxCycles, bicycle: Styriette Pedelec, outfit: unknown
In general, I would have loved to learn more about the clothing, and to know what exactly makes each outfit conducive to cycling - especially since some of the designers must have worked hard on that aspect.






Interbike Fashion Show, Yuba Longtail
bicycle: Yuba, outfits and models: unknown
All in all, I think the show was more about fostering a positive, even romantic image of the bicycling lifestyle than about displaying specific pieces of apparel - which I don't have a problem with in the least, but which I don't believe is technically a fashion show. Then again, who wants to be technical about it if the audience is having a good time.






Interbike Fashion Show, Linus
bicycle: Electra, outfit and model: unknown
One concept that the show brought across quite successfully, I thought, was the possibility for variety. Some pieces did seem to be bicycle-specific designs, while others appeared to be just regular clothing. Some models were wearing helmets and others were not.



It seems that many manufacturers are trying their hand at cycling-specific street apparel nowadays: everything from jeans and dressy trousers to button down shirts and blazers. And while some believe that to ride for transportation one need only look in their closet, others welcome these bicycle-specific inventions. The Interbike Fashion Show seemed to embrace both views - encouraging cyclists to wear whatever makes them comfortable and to have fun with it.

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