HOY Vulpine range to launch at London Bike Show 2015

Vulpine founder Nick Hussey has today confirmed that the debut range of clothing from HOY Vulpine, the brand's collaboration with Sir Chris Hoy, will launch at the 2015 London Bike Show in February.

In an interview with BikeBiz, Hussey confirmed that the new range of performance and casual cycling will be stocked exclusively online with Evans Cycles and via vulpine.cc. The line includes men's and women's apparel in equal measure, and will expand to include a range of children's cycling garments from 2016.

Speaking to BikeBiz, Hussey described the background to Vulpine's collaboration with the Olympic track star:

"I got a call from Chris' management in November 2013, when we were 20 months old," said the Vulpine founder. "I was pretty blown away and complimented to even be asked. I never expected we'd be able to clinch a deal with Sir Chris Hoy of all icons, but we worked very hard at it and it happened! It's life changing stuff for me and my wife Emmalou, who've risked so much to get Vulpine off the ground, and it's a game changer for Vulpine.

"Chris loves our inclusive ethos, something we all hold dear, and he loves our kit. You'll notice he's barely out of one of our Harrington Jackets and a merino t-shirt! I said from the beginning I wanted to create a new brand and an innovative but classic new range, not just plonk a famous person's logo on some stuff. This attitude to business, and our ethos of inclusivity and quality nailed it."

So what can we expect from the new range? Both Nick and Hoy are keen to underline the collaboration's emphasis on high quality, classic style, at an affordable pricepoint. As an indicator, they have revealed that the bib shorts will cost £79.99 and feature the same high-spec CyTech pad found on shorts costing twice the price.

In terms of design, we can expect to see more of the same clean, pared-back designs that Vulpine has become synonymous with.

"The performance apparel will be simple, classic and won't feature loads of mad colours, designs or garish logos that we feel spoil cycling apparel," confirms Hussey. "This is a brand that will appeal to the hardcore racing cyclist, the sportive enthusiast, the fitness rider finding their feet and the commuter of any creed. The fact is we want it to appeal to all cyclists, because we love all cycling."

The new range will be unveiled for the first time at the 2015 London Bike Show, opening on 12 February. Chris Hoy will be attending on Saturday 14 February, Valentine's Day - quite appropriate, for what appears to be a perfect meeting of minds between two rising brands.