Pigalle reveals VanMoof-inspired collection 'Freedom Fields' at Paris Fashion Week 2021
Paris-based designer Stéphane Ashpool unveils his new collection in an ode to cycling with a series of customized VanMoof e-bikes
Amsterdam, July 7, 2021 - Unveiled at Paris Fashion Week 2021, VanMoof and Pigalle join forces to create a unique collection of iconic, customized one-off editions, entitled "Freedom Fields". Described as a "creative conversion between two worlds and two cultures,'' the Parisian-based fashion label and Dutch e-bike pioneers create a project that celebrates the joy of riding and being together again. The signature collaboration combines Stéphane Ashpool’s vision with the unique design of VanMoof’s bikes.
Cycling in style
The project aims to transform the perception of e-bikes and bring a new creative flair to what many might ordinarily assume to be a utilitarian mode of transport. It elevates the already emblematic bikes of the Dutch brand through an original artistic installation and helps the audience see the familiar through an alternative lens. No stranger to striking collaborations, the stylistic designer chameleon Stéphane Ashpool adds another string to his bow with a project developed hand-in-hand with VanMoof.
"VanMoof is a brand that managed to merge a strong design expertise with a modern exceptional technological performance.”
The creative partnership produced vibrant colorized versions of the notorious VanMoof X3, with the ride’s minimalist design and refined details wildly re-imagined by Ashpool. The bike’s highly identifiable X-shaped frame has been imprinted with Pigalle’s DNA, as the ride becomes the site at which fashion, music, color, and strong community spirit converge.
“Freedom Fields”: an ode to cycling
For Stéphane Ashpool, biking is a fundamental part of his daily life. Convinced of the power of the bicycle for over 10 years, the Parisian designer rides the streets of the French capital. Synonymous with freedom, bikes are always his go-to when it comes to getting around the world's cities. Through his Freedom Fields collection, the founder of Pigalle wanted to communicate the liberating power that cycling offers.
"The bike has a unifying power – it allows people to move freely: when they want and wherever they want. It makes even more sense in cities like Paris where everything is very connected.”
As the pandemic has pushed city dwellers to rethink the way they move and rethink our cities, Stéphane Ashpool positions himself as an ambassador for the transition towards greener, more connected, more joyful cities, while preserving a strong community spirit. The project goes beyond the bold customization of the VanMoof S3 & X3: Freedom Fields acts as an appeal to city dwellers, calling on them to free themselves from the status quo of big cities and reconnect with the benefits of cycling.
Pushing the boundaries
The goal is to push the boundaries of each respective creative field and redefine the e-bike industry. This collaboration marks the unification of three parallel yet connected worlds: fashion, art, and cycling. It’s a project at the crossroads of the disciplines in which Stéphane Ashpool has become a specialist in recent years, exemplified by his collaborations with Nike, Converse, Jordan, and Missoni.
“This collaboration allows us to bring e-bikes into a new light. Often considered as purely technical tools, Stéphane Ashpool elevates the iconic VanMoof design to a new level”
These eight bikes will be curated by Pigalle and ridden down the streets of Paris to showcase the unique collaboration between Pigalle, the prominent streetwear brand, and VanMoof, the industry-defying e-bike pioneer.
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About VanMoof
VanMoof was founded in 2009 by Taco and Ties Carlier, two Dutch brothers with a vision of the perfect city bike. Now their bikes are changing cities and leading the current wave of people choosing e-bikes. VanMoof's sleek, multi-award winning rides offer a high-tech and feature-rich experience for a devoted worldwide community of almost 200,000 riders and growing. The iconic integrated frames mirror a fully integrated end-to-end company that has upended the bike industry by taking complete ownership of everything from design to production, from sales to after-service. One of Europe's fastest growing companies, VanMoof is on course to redefine the future of urban mobility and get the next billion on bikes. VanMoof brand stores can be found in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tokyo, with expansion planned to 50 cities worldwide through dedicated Service Hubs by the end of 2021. Available at vanmoof.com.
About Pigalle
Founded in 2008 by Stephane Ashpool, Pigalle carries a curated selection of sneakers, streetwear, and hard-to-find Japanese brands. Pigalle as a brand portrays a Parisian cool ethos and was named after a former red-light district in Paris. They have expanded their line by collaborating with Nike for a basketball-inspired sportswear range, whilst releasing dual-branded Air Force 1 and Air Raid Silhouettes.