Going Green

As a kid, having a bike was imperative for hanging out with your friends as you played in the park and/or made the short ride down to your local Thrifty's (before it was Rite-Aid) to get a scoop of rainbow sherbet. My first bicycle was neon purple with hot pink, geometrically shaped graphics decorating its frame (what can I say - it was the early 90s). It came complete with a white, woven plastic basket attached to the front in which I could stash all of my childhood necessities (Tree Top juiceboxes, My Little Ponys, etcetera). Irita says that her first bicycle had a radio (?!) and that it was the envy of all the neighborhood children. I wasn't even aware that there was such a thing!

My, how far bicycles have come since then.



Chanel recently unveiled its own bicycle as part of its S/S '08 collection. The brand isn't the first to branch into fashion bikes (Armani did the same in his S/S '06 men's collection), but it has been getting a lot of press as of late. Perhaps it is because of the approximate $12,500 price tag..? Although the black & white bicycle is covered with Chanel's signature quilted leather and the rear wheel is flanked by two saddlebags which resemble the brand's iconic 2.55 handbag (which are generally priced around $2,000 each), I would still like to see a little more, you know? Maybe if it were, I don't know, jewel encrusted or had pedals of platinum it would make more sense to me. And in all honesty, who is really going to travel around on a bicycle that's worth as much as a small car? I mean, I guess you could use it to traverse from one end to another of your private $5 million mansion, but besides that it just seems like a blatant invitation to be stolen as you park it on the sidewalk and wait in line for your $5 Starbucks venti/nonfat/extra hot/sugar free vanilla latte.


Cynthia Rowley also designed a bicycle for her S/S '08 collection. Rowley's beach cruiser version can be acquired for a mere $650. It comes with two, brown leather, satchel bags attached above the back wheel and the buyer is given the choice of either a pink, blue, or green frame which is scattered with calico like flowers. However, where the Chanel bike oozes class and sophistication (I can imagine Karl himself cruising down the street - shades, fingerless gloves, and all), the Cynthia Rowley version seems a bit, well, shabby chic.