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Step aside bags and shoes, there's a new It accessory on the fashion radar, the humble fixed-gear bike has established itself as an emblem of cool. For some time a favourite in the artier, more bohemian districts of any cosmopolitan city, the easily-customised model has, of late, become so much more than a method of transportation, establishing itself as some sort of emblem of a laid-back, creative minded lifestyle. And with the added fitness and environmental benefits could prove it to be a smart investment, as well as stylish one. |
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One of the most appealing things about fixed gear bikes is their ability to look totally personal and unique, and this hand-made version by Society Anonyme is no exception. The quirky Florence-based boutique looked to some specialist bike-makers in the nearby town of Empoli to create the specially commissioned model. Fusing fashion with function, it has the angular, clean lined frame of a classic fixed gear bike, but the Society Anonyme logo and trademark colours of white and green add a splash of Italian chic. Hand-made out of steel, this is one example of accessory couture that will never go out of style… |
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Like most street trends, fixed-gears go beyond the materialistic. Customising your bike is an ongoing process, and collecting them can verge on the addictive, so specialist shops like London's 14 Bike Co in the East End, and Soho's Tokyo Fixed Gear are more like a social setting for enthusiasts than simply a retail outlet. In fact, the former hosted several events this Summer, including a hugely popular barbeque outside the store where they used tools instead of the usual kitchen utensils. Given the creative process involved in doing up, and putting individual touches onto the bike, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the scene has close ties with that of art and photography, with many crossover involvements and exhibitions that have seen the two merged. It's a culture steeped in laid-back creativity, and about so much more than riding a bike. |
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Naturally, something as laid-back as the bike scene would never have something so self-conscious as a dress code, but that's not to say that fixie enthusiasts don't have a certain look. The key is to be casual and effortless, without compromising on sartorial flair. Go for jeans that are lived-in but well-cut, classic flannel shirts layered over t-shirts by off the radar Japanese labels, and urban looking trainers and sneakers in a myriad of colours and textures. With the aesthetic focus firmly on the bike, accessories are kept on the discreet side, and in the form of practical rucksacks, slightly over-sized baseball caps, and perhaps an armful of colourful tattoos. |
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