Incoming...

Rapha X Robyn Lynch

Collaborating for the first time, cycling specialist Rapha has teamed up with Irish-born designer Robyn Lynch for an exciting capsule of hybrid ready-to-wear with a conscious core.

A rising star from the Fashion East set, Robyn Lynch’s designs often reference clothing styles from the ‘80s and ‘90s, embracing oversized fits, sportswear and logomania. Taking inspiration from her Irish heritage and youth culture, her collections often tell a story, redefining traditional menswear by connecting different generations through clothing. Frequently working with Aran knitwear, Robyn experiments with nylon and linen panelling, splicing garments and bringing them together in a clash of smart and sport.

A long term fan of Rapha, Robyn reached out to Associate Creative Director and fellow Irish native, Ger Tierney after noticing that she had shared one of her posts on Instagram. The two design innovators arranged a coffee meet to talk cycling and pattern cutting and the collaborative project was born.

Undeterred by a global pandemic, Robyn took her own deadstock and combined it with some of Rapha’s to create an upcycled twelve-piece capsule. A keen cyclist herself, Robyn has often referenced cycling clothing in her past designs, fascinated by the design and technicality of these form-fitting garments that assist performance. Armed with Lycra shirts, cycling shorts and windbreaker jackets, Robyn deconstructed each piece and mixed with her traditional Aran knits, maintaining each technical element of the cyclist’s uniform set against loose-fit cuts that have become her signature.

Working entirely in isolation from her Hackney-based home studio, using threads and finishes she found around the flat, the Rapha X Robyn Lynch collection is truly unique in both its creation and process. A pioneering example of a design journey that challenges adversity, Robyn’s pieces are completely one-off, a true collector’s piece for avid cyclists and innovators alike.

The Rapha X Robyn Lynch capsule collection will launch online at brownsfashion.com.... stay tuned for the drop.

Words by Alexandra Oliver