Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

LOOK La Vie Claire

LOOK La Vie Claire

The Rosemount Australian Fashion Week is on in Sydney at the moment, and while everyone was around Circular Quay ogling at the latest designs gracing the catwalks, I managed to corner this leggy French model for a photo shoot. It’s a carbon fiber LOOK racer, dressed up in the livery of the legendary La Vie Claire team.

LOOK La Vie Claire

La Vie Claire is most renowned for not only the riders but also the Benetton-designed kit, undeniably inspired by the De Stijl artist Piet Mondriaan. The striking design is one of the most memorable from the peloton during the 80s, most notably worn by star riders Bernard ‘The Badger’ Hinault, Greg Lemond, Andrew Hampsten and Steve Bauer.

LOOK La Vie Claire

French company LOOK provided bicycles to the team, constructed from carbon fiber supplied by TVT. LOOK has long been an innovator in the field of bicycle design. They actually created the first clipless pedals, which could be another reason for the team’s success.

LOOK La Vie Claire
LOOK La Vie Claire

This particular model has been hanging up in the Deus CYCLEWORKS store since it opened, and aficionados may note the seemingly haphazard or careless way it has been presented. No claims will be made to the museum standard of this machine, it’s been a daily rider and the wear shows. Most importantly, it’s been enjoyed and loved and used for what it was designed for, which is cutting a stylish figure on the streets.

Big thanks to Deus CYCLEWORKS for letting me steal away their French beauty. Keep an eye on their blog for the latest news from the workshop, the most important of which will be the highly anticipated move to their new location on Bourke Street in Surry Hills.

LOOK La Vie Claire
LOOK La Vie Claire
LOOK La Vie Claire
LOOK La Vie Claire
LOOK La Vie Claire
LOOK La Vie Claire
LOOK La Vie Claire
LOOK La Vie Claire