Rapha Launches First Cycling Hijab in New Modest-Wear Collection

Rapha, the renowned cycling apparel brand, has launched its spring/summer women’s campaign for 2024, aptly named ‘How We Ride.’ This campaign aims to celebrate and empower women in cycling by breaking barriers and redefining the image of a cyclist. At the forefront of this campaign is the introduction of the first cycling-specific hijab, part of Rapha’s new modest-wear collection.

Rapha’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation shines through in this latest collection, designed entirely by an all-female team. The brand emphasizes that “Rapha Women is a new and expanded range of women’s riding apparel developed through years of research.” The collection features all-new silhouettes, including the Women’s Padded Skort, Women’s Rapha Wind Gilet, Women’s Rapha Jersey, Women’s Rapha Wind Jacket, Women’s Cropped Cargo Top, and Women’s Regular Cargo Shorts. These pieces offer women more options for self-expression while riding.

Joining the ranks of Nike and Adidas, Rapha has introduced a sport-friendly hijab, marking a significant milestone in the cycling apparel industry. This cycling-specific hijab is designed to meet the needs of Muslim women who wish to cycle without compromising on style or performance. Alongside the hijab, the collection includes a loose-fitting long-sleeve jersey and padded trousers, forming the first comprehensive modest-wear range for cyclists.

The development of this modest-wear range was in collaboration with Cycle Sisters, a London-based cycling collective and award-winning charity. Cycle Sisters is dedicated to inspiring and enabling Muslim women to cycle confidently and comfortably. Lauren Hunt, Women’s Apparel Designer at Rapha, shared her excitement about the project, stating, “It was really exciting to take on a project like this and work with an all-women team to create a whole new collection that enables women to express themselves and feel comfortable and confident on the bike.”

Hunt highlighted the importance of working with Cycle Sisters, noting that their insights were invaluable during the research and development process. Focus groups revealed that Muslim women often resorted to wearing men’s cycling gear to achieve a relaxed and covered fit, which unfortunately led to distractions and hindered performance. The new modest-wear range addresses these issues by providing additional coverage and reducing the need for layering, thereby enhancing comfort and performance.

As part of the ‘How We Ride’ campaign, Rapha also shares the stories of five female cyclists: Amy, Samra, Arame, Ahlam, and Bel. These stories offer unique perspectives on what it means to be a woman in cycling, highlighting both the challenges and triumphs in a traditionally male-dominated sport. The aim is to inspire more women to embrace cycling and enjoy the numerous benefits it offers.

Rapha’s new modest-wear collection is a significant step towards greater inclusivity in the cycling community. By addressing the specific needs of Muslim women and providing them with high-performance, stylish apparel, Rapha is not only expanding its market but also promoting diversity and inclusion within the sport. This move is expected to encourage more women from diverse backgrounds to take up cycling, fostering a more inclusive and supportive cycling culture.

The launch of the cycling-specific hijab and the broader modest-wear collection represents a major milestone for Rapha and the cycling industry at large. As more brands recognize the importance of catering to diverse needs, we can expect to see further innovations that make sports more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Rapha’s ‘How We Ride’ campaign is a testament to the power of inclusive design and the positive impact it can have on individuals and communities.