Rapha Womens Road
The initial concept was defined from our use of fabrication and silhouette. We wanted to align on a lightweight jersey, with wicking and UPF 40+ that can be worn next to skin and provided both comfort and breathability when worn on the bike. It also needed to have no issues with snagging and to provide high stretch for storing items in pockets.
We also focused on silhouette - we wanted to work through a new tank shape that could utilise a “heat dump” vent as a 1/4 zip with pockets built in to the back for storing items for the bike or fuel for longer rides.
The Rapha Womens Road collection began as some of the best insight in to our female consumer. While we were focusing on Womens performance on the bike, we collaborated with a group of female riders and create a collection that felt both versatile and functional and built from a true female perspective.
We utilised our brand history and archive of key shapes and construction for this collection, and collaborated through wear testing at each prototype, to ensure we remained true to the female rider, whilst giving her the ultimate in comfort and style.
We also looked to focusing on new windbreaker styles such as our windbreaker jacket and gilet. These use a high wind protection woven and offer visibility with reflective yarns at seaming areas that matter for when you are on the bike and need to be seen.
We also worked in to some key pieces that were asked for by women such as the 2-in-1 skort and dress. Both styles provided comfort and storage for on bike fuel and key attributes such as a stow pocket with a zipper or a no bounce pocket at the leg.
We finally redefined a new concept for a zipper less jersey for women, where women complained about the comfort of zippers and the need to feel comfortable when riding.
This came to bring us both a simple zipper kersey with clean finishings and a lightweight zipper tape, and also with a zipper less style with a cropped shape and adaptable pockets to allow for secure storage while on the bike.
All styles were wore test in high summer in some of the toughest climbs in Mallorca, providing us some key conversations on what worked and what we needed to improve as we progressed with the collection.
