scooters

Karl Lagerfeld likes to be the leader of the pack. In recent years, the eco-friendly and economical scooter has seen a surge in sales, with women helming Vespas for their daily commute. Just in time, Lagerfeld unveils his Les Ateliers Ruby couture helmets for $1,805 to $6,837 that are now available at Colette and certain other boutiques, upping the ante on the bespoke helmet with gems to kickstand.

The Lagerfeld line is an extension of Les Ateliers Ruby’s limited edition designer collection. Helmed by Jerome Coste, whose motorcycle helmets are made from extremely light-weight durable carbon fiber that’s all the rage on race cars, the Parisian company takes the helmet game seriously.

Coste studied at the Ecole Estienne Arts Des Arts Applique in Paris and then went to work for a real deal American company in motor sports equipment JT Racing. He ventured forward to explore the look of the action sports culture launching the apparel line Hold Up in 1996. But eventually, he returned to helmets made popular in Japanese motorbikes, and joined the ranks of California designers like Troy Lee.

Yet, Coste is French, and the French have a knack for a certain approach to couture. When he founded Ruby in 2004, his original design was the Pavillion helmet, inspired by the medieval knight. His online shop allows customers to create a bespoke helmet with sumptuous materials using Nappa Lambskin borders, Metal emblema and with a screenshield covering the whole face. Each helmet comes with three visors in different tints.

Lagerfeld is not the first designer partership. He started with French graffiti artist Honet and then the duo Eley Kishomoto to create the Belverdere Helmet. His next line was the spunky creation with Martin Margiela.

Lagerfeld, however, is on a higher profile for Coste’s Programme Court Signature line, and is certainly the most opulent, covered in mink fur, pearl and iPod hookups.

Sexy scoot, scoot, scoot!

Read more: Karl Lagerfeld’s ‘It’ Helmets Are Finally for Sale in Stores — The Cut http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/11/karl_lagerfelds_it_helmets_are.html#ixzz0YD4drPRq

More helmets on Gotryke:

Helmets: the Safe Choice

More on Karl Lagerfeld Helmet Heads
Riding Pretty

Sassy Bella

NY Mag

{ 2 comments }