Leeds College of Art invites you to Bespoke Design, an evening which will explore the close relationship between bikes and design, covering branding, fashion and modern cycle culture. Featuring James Fairbank (Rapha), Nathan Hughes (Restrap), Gerry Newton (Cyclr) and Alice Marsh (Turner Contemporary).
Alice Marsh, buyer, product and brand developer at the Turner Contemporary, will introduce and facilitate the evening. Before taking up her current role at Turner Contemporary, Alice’s professional career has spanned Tate Modern, Taschen, the Design Museum and Bikeworks.
Alice will talk about how bike brands have changed in the last decade, transforming from lycra, high viz geeky sportwear to designs influenced by Paul Smith and blogs like Copenhagen Cycle Chic.
Keynote speaker James Fairbank, Head of Brand and Central Marketing at Rapha Racing Ltd, will talk about the Rapha brand and the importance of film in advertising media. James’ expertise includes marketing, merchandising, retail, footwear, communications and styling.
“Our fundamental business objective is to help grow the culture of road cycling” James Fairbank, Rapha
Nathan Hughes, founder of Leeds based cycling accessory brand Restrap, will host Q & A session about his businesses, his marketing strategies, his designs and entrepreneurial spirit.
Restrap was the result of frustration with broken pedal straps. Cycling through the North Yorkshire Moors, Nathan realised there was a need to develop products that could withstand the forces and pressures of everyday riding. Restrap, tagline “Products made by cyclists for cyclists”, was born.
Gerry Newton is the founder and managing director of Cyclr, an independent online magazine, shop and design brand. Cyclr’s aim is to inspire cycling communities everywhere. In 2012 Gerry won the Shell LiveWire Grand Ideas award for the concept, which originated from his cycling blog Bicycle Basecamp.
Why I love my bike
The evening will close with a competition for the best 90 second pitch on the subject “Why I love my bike”. If you would like to apply, send us 100 words about why you love your bike, together with an image of it, and we will let you know if you have been successful to pitch on the evening. There will be a prize for the best pitch of the night and winners will be asked to bring their bikes. Email your applications to sharon.heleine@leeds-art.ac.uk
Prior to the talk there will be a range of goods on sale from local independent art and design bookstore Colours May Vary and a display of artisan bikes through the ages provided by Woodrup Cycles.
Bespoke Design Programme
5.15 Refreshments and networking
6.15 Alice Marsh – buyer, product and brand developer at the Turner Contemporary
6.45 Keynote speaker James Fairbank, Head of Brand and Central Marketing Rapha
7.30 Break - Refreshments
8.00 Nathan Hughes, founder of Restrap
8.15 Gerry Newton founder of Cyclr
8.45 Why I love my bike
9.05 Close and summary – Alice Marsh
Tickets for the event are £5 and can be book in advance from the below link.
- 05 June - 05 June 2014
- Blenheim Walk - Studio Theatre (Get Directions)
- Book now