Cyclodelic teamed with Brighton & Hove Council to facilitate the Wheels of Fortune fashion show for the White Night Festival in Brighton on October 23rd.  Every year thousands of people gather in Brighton to celebrate the turning back of the clocks.  The show gave local retailers specializing in urban, street and sport fashion a chance to promote their products.

The catwalk for the show was built out from the steps of the Unitarian Church on the pedestrianized New Road.  The four pillared entrance of the church provided a dramatic backdrop to the bright fashions that were showcased.  Bright lighting effects and visuals projected on the facade of the building, combined with a cool mix from the DJ, featuring music from local bands and DJs made the clothes dazzle on the catwalk.  The products featured in the show were bright, modern performance inspired pieces from Addict, Cycle Chic, Cyclodelic, Brooks Running, Cyberdog, Vans, The Jog Shop, Tokyo Fixed Gear, Two n Fro and She Active.  Bikes were supplied by M’S Cycles, Cyclodelic and Cranks.  Exposure Lights helped illuminate the stage and make-up was applied by Shu Uemura, styled by Xanthe Goode.

The crowd began gathering hours before the start, in awe of the fabulous venue.  During the show, everyone was transfixed on the bright, beautiful clothing that would make anyone shine on the streets of Brighton.  Ultimately, Wheels of Fortune was a huge success and a great deal of fun.  The show definitely amplified the energy and contributed to the funky vibe of the festival.  It was a great way to celebrate the turning of the clocks!

Photography by Max Letek - Black Projection - www.blackprojection.com

Photography by Max Letek - Black Projection - www.blackprojection.com

Photography by Max Letek - Black Projection - www.blackprojection.com

Photography by Max Letek - Black Projection - www.blackprojection.com

To see a full selection of photos and request copies please visit http://blackprojection.com/#/bm-models/4536577236

Cyclodelic Clothing launches online today at www.cyclodelic.co.uk

Expect exquisitely cut outer layers in Autumnal plums, forest greens and midnight blues in peach skin wind and water resistant fabrics with gold fastenings and reflective detailing. Base layers come in heavenly soft Mongolian cashmere, treated with a new anti-bacterial and moth proofing technology.

Cyclodelic also introduces its first reflective bamboo jersey t shirts printed at the UK’s only soil association registered t shirt printing company, keeping you fresh and visible. Accessories from £10, clothing from £30.

To celebrate we are offering an online discount off the entire range for one week only for all our of our friends and customers. If you haven’t already received yours then e mail us at info@cyclodelic.co.uk with the title ‘cool 09 launch offer’ to benefit from this and future offers, news and events.

Photograph: BM Models // Model: NGOZI

Last week I was fortunate enough to get a chance invitation to the launch of BM Models in Brighton. Fortunate as we have been working really hard to put a fashion show together for the White Nights Festival this Saturday (see below) but a couple of gorgeuos girls and guys short. Luckily the elegant Bethania who co runs the company was on board to save the day.

Unlike certain agencies we’ve dealt with in the past BM Models come across as professional, efficient and non elitist. They also offer a range of creative and consultancy services – take a look at what they have on offer here.

At Cyclodelic we’ve just about recovered from an amazing time at The Cycle Show. Upper Street Events have told us that there were 5,000 more of you through the doors this year and for me it felt like there was definitely a shift in the right direction towards more women attending the show. I do hope that this was partly down to all the work our team powered into putting on Cyclodelic’s Girls guide to Cycling. Below are some of the highlights of the show for us. More photo’s will be uploaded to our flickr page soon.

Thursday 8th October

More often seen in the world of fashion with her signature dazzling prints, Zandra Rhodes made a special trip to the Cycle Show to offer her seal of approval to Cyclodelic’s Bicycle Bling after I was introduced to her by The London Cycling Campaign two weeks ago. Zandra likes to ride her vintage Raleigh shopper around town and we’ve been in talks about doing something a little special with it…

Zandra Rhodes visits the Cyclodelic stand

Friday 9th October

2 short rehearsals, 5 dedicated girls from Kingston University, one amazing choreographer (thank you Jason Piper), 1 amazing stylist (Xanthe is very Goode), several make up artists, 5 lightning fast dressers and 30 outfits from the best of women’s cycling combined with mind blowing bicycle visuals and music from Harry Foster and finally we did it – our wonderfully up beat, slightly tongue in cheek cyclodelic fashion dance show. Well done team!

Backstage with the models/dancers from Kingston University. Make up and styling by Xanthe Goode. Hair by Sunanda Mesquita

Saturday 10th October

Its not often a girl gets exactly what she wants but today I was left totally star struck when I achieved my dream line up of cycling superstars for the Competitive themed day of the Girls Guide to Cycling. The gorgeous Rachel Atherton was also in the show and later came to visit the Cyclodelic stand to purchase one of our navy snoods.

I’m looking forward to taking up Jaymie and Rachel’s offers of a weekend spent riding fast down mountains and Victoria has definitely inspired me to get back on the track.

Herne Hill coach Judith Bonner also brought along her team of up and coming cycling stars. The girls from Herne Hill  Youth all aged around 10 participated in some filming pre show which was broadcast on the 40ft screen behind the athletes and got the chance to ask them questions.

Left to right: Nicole Cooke (road), Amy Fleuriot (Cyclodelic), Holly Avil (triathlon), Victoria Pendleton (track), Anthony, Jaymie Mart (downhill) and presenter Annie Emmerson.

Sunday 11th October

Apart from having the fantastic Josie Dew sign books from our stand we also got a surprise visit on stage from presenter John Snow, who popped along to say how great it is to see more about women in cycling and spread the word about the CTC.

John Snow with presenter Annie Emerson at Cyclodelic's Girls Guide to Cycling

Thanks to everyone who came along to show their support or see what we’re all about. We really enjoyed meeting you all. Looking forward to next year…

Young Entrepreneur from Hackney short listed for National O2 X Awards

O2 reveals the best of London’s emerging business talent

04 September 2009

O2 today announced that a young woman from Hackney has been short listed for the prestigious O2 X Awards 2009.  A hotly contested title, this up and coming businesswoman has been identified as one of the most inspirational young people in her field, showing business acumen beyond her years and thriving in challenging economic conditions.

Amy Fleuriot has raced her way into the final with women’s cycle wear and accessories line, Cyclodelic, which has gained recognition for its fun and fashionable approach to women’s sports wear.

The finalists from the Young Entrepreneur category will be invited to attend the national finals for the O2 X Awards in London in October of this year, where the O2 X Female and Male Entrepreneur of the Year will also be announced.

The O2 Young Entrepreneur of the Year is a new category for business owners aged 25 and under. It has been set up to recognise the increasing influence of young entrepreneurs on the UK’s small business community. The winner from each category will receive a winners’ package of £5,000, PR support and mentoring from a business expert.

Simon Devonshire, Head of Small Business Marketing at O2, comments: “The level of business talent, innovation and creativity evident in the entries we have received reveals a whole new generation of young entrepreneurs emerging from London. It’s fantastic to see and integral to the continued success of the UKs small business community as a whole and we are delighted to be able to recognise the contribution and success of these young business men and women through this new X Award’s category.”

Now in their 6^th year, the O2 X Awards are a celebration of entrepreneurial talent across the UK and aim to recognise and reward the men and women who are responsible for doing business in a creative and innovative way. The new generation of small businesses are responsible for driving forward business development in an increasingly tough economic climate.

Launched in 2003, The O2 X Awards provide a valuable platform for small businesses to highlight their achievements at a grass roots level through to national awareness.  Selection criteria focus on cutting edge innovation, creative vision and a drive to succeed.

Amy Fleuriot, Cyclodelic

Cyclodelic has been designing and manufacturing women’s cycle wear and accessories in the UK for the past three years. The business also runs a successful events consultancy that works with government and private establishments to promote cycling to women in a fun and fashionable way.

www.cyclodelic.co.uk

For more information please contact:

All O2 news release can be accessed at our website: http://mediacentre.o2.co.uk/

If you’re in Wales, pedal yourself over to this on Saturday 3rd October for the chance to win some Cyclodelic accessories and prizes from LOADS of other sponsors.

We love alleycats but in my experience there’s (unfortunately) not often that many girls taking part – on the bright side this means if you are a girl and can make it along not only will you have a great time but you’ll also have an easy peasey chance of bagging all the girly prizes. Bonus!

Wish we could spin over there to take part but will have to settle with seeing the photo’s. If anyone who reads this is going along let us know and send us some pics so we can put you up on the blog.

More info on the Fixed Gear Wales site here.

Melissa Henry, communications Director of Sustrans, will also be joining us to speak at the Cycle Show on October 11^th.

“Melissa has had a varied career, firstly within publishing and more latterly in the voluntary sector, working in the area of communications.  Like many she is an eco worrier, and like many would like to know far more about what she individually (and collectively) can do to bring about the change necessary to deal with the big issue of our century – climate change.  Having already accumulated a sizeable life-time carbon footprint, particularly from travel, Melissa is keen to highlight the very practical ways Sustrans advocates for reducing the environmental impact of our travel habits without reducing our pleasure.
Melissa was born in 1964.”

I’m beginning to get back on my road bike so to face imminent dark mornings leaving a warm bed for the cold road I’ve been working on perhaps an over-looked training aspect – inspiration.

What I have been searching for is the kind of inspiration which quashes excuses and pushes you harder than you thought you could go. The one person who without fail can do this, in my opinion, is Beryl Burton. A Yorkshire lass whose grit, determination and dedication led her to become a world-class cyclist whose 40-year career has left a mark to this day.

Thirty-two years on and Beryl’s 12 hour time trial record of 1967 has been unbeaten despite the many advances in cycling technology. As if this alone was not enough it is definitely worth a mention that in doing so she became the only woman to beat a men’s competition record. At this point I am running the risk of using the word ‘also’ a lot, so forgive me but a list seems to be the only way to allow you to digest some of her most notable achievements.

• 3,000 metres pursuit – world champion five times, 2^nd three times and 3^rd four times
• National Champion thirteen times, 2^nd once, 3^rd once
• World road racing champion twice, 2^nd once
• British Best All-rounder champion (time trials) twenty-five successive years, 2^nd once
• 100 miles champion eighteen times, 2^nd once
• 50 miles champion twenty-three times, 2^nd once
• 25 miles champion twenty-five times, 2^nd once
• 10 miles champion four times, 2^nd once, 3^rd once
• Yorkshire best all rounder champion twenty-five times
• 12 hour time trial world record – still held

These alone can astound but to understand the woman who worked for this is where I begin to find real inspiration. Beryl was not a professional cyclist and as such she had to balance out competing with her role as a mother, provider and housewife. She would push her daughter Denise in a buggy with one hand and have her bike in the other ready to head to work. And as her ambitions and achievements grew so did the commitment and necessity of winning not only for pride but to support her family.

Beryl trained consistently though out her career and as such even when she was 47 years old she was invited to race in the first women’s Tour de France, an offer she subsequently turned down. At 25 I can’t imagine being of that level of fitness even now never mind when I’m 47! Just yesterday I got up just a few hours earlier than usal and put in some miles, now when I compare this to the life Beryl lived and the commitment she gave to cycling I feel the mantra of this winter will be in Beryl’s words –

“Miles – plenty of ‘em!”