King of the road: David Millar gets back in the saddle with new cycling apparel brand
During his professional career, the French cycling press nicknamed David Millar ‘Le Dandy’, acknowledging not only the Scottish rider’s distinctively aggressive souplesse in the saddle, but also his sartorial elegance off the bike. Now retired from professional cycling, Millar’s thing for clothing lives on with the debut collection of the Chpt III (representing the third chapter in Millar’s cycling career) apparel brand that he has launched in collaboration with Italian manufacturer Castelli.
Rendered in a palette of colours inspired by a Ben Nicholson painting, tops and shorts are made of gossamer-thin, super-light, high-performance Lycra that is, maintains Millar, actually better quality than than stuff the pros use on the circuit. ‘Its weave and unique construction means it can’t be printed with sponsors logos, but having spent my career dressed as a human billboard, this is now of no concern to me.’
Conceived by Millar and designer Richard Pearce (also a keen cyclist) with some help from British tailor Timothy Everest, Chpt III’s minimally modernist garments tip a chapeau as much to Savile Row as to the Alpine cols.
The short-sleeved jersey has a slanted, front ticket pocket, the bib shorts feature robust-looking braces, and the gorgeous, short-sleeved ‘Rocka’ jacket (green with an orange lining, MA1 bomber-style) can be secured at the neck by a storm fastener just like you’d find on a classic trench coat. ‘When it comes to being on my bike, I like to feel like a rocker, not a mod,’ says Millar.
As originally featured in the October 2015 issue of Wallpaper* (W*199)
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Chpt III website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Riva El-Iseo is the legendary boat builder’s first fully-electric motor yacht
The Riva El-Iseo electric speedboat blends classic Italian lines with a silent, powerful and zero-emission powertrain
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Technogym Home Bench 40 ways: designers interpret the home exercise classic
Technogym marks its 40 anniversary with 40 special editions of its Home Bench created in collaboration with international creatives
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
AHEC presents new works in American maple as part of the Wallpaper* Class of ’24
The American Hardwood Export Council takes part in the Wallpaper* Class of ’24 exhibition at Triennale Milano during Salone del Mobile (16-21 April 2024), presenting new pieces by Parti and Giles Tettey Nartey in American hard maple
By Rosa Bertoli Published