Rapha (sportswear)
 | |
| Traded as | Rapha Performance Roadwear |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sporting goods |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder(s) | Simon Mottram and Luke Scheybeler |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Products | Clothing |
| Website | rapha.cc |
Rapha Performance Roadwear is a sportswear and lifestyle brand focused on road bicycle racing, clothing and accessories. Rapha headquarters are in London with a United States office in Portland, Oregon.[1]
History
Started in London in early 2004 by Simon Mottram and Luke Scheybeler,[2] the first products launched in July of that year. The name Rapha was taken from the 1960s cycling team Rapha, which was named after the apéritif drink company Saint Raphaël.[2][3]
In 2007, Rapha partnered with British designer Paul Smith to create a range of limited-edition cycle clothing and accessories.[4]
Rapha clothing is produced in a number of different locations including the UK, Italy and the Far East. UK production included some early Merino wool pieces and also leather gloves which are made in Somerset, England. Italian production focuses on stretch fabric and stretch garments such as shorts and tights. In China production focuses on the most technical items, such as outerwear.
Sponsorships
Rapha co-owns the UK-based cycling team Rapha Condor-JLT with London bike brand Condor Cycles. In August 2012, it was announced that as of 2013, Rapha will be producing the clothing for the British cycling team, Team Sky.[5]
References
- ↑ "The Company". Rapha. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Design Council Case Study". Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ↑ "The Original Rapha". The Inner Ring. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ↑ "Rapha + Paul Smith collection unveiled". Road Cycling UK. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ↑ Merrill, Jamie (3 September 2012). "Sky's the limit for cult clothing brand Rapha". The Independent. Retrieved 1 October 2012.