PEdAL ED, making its international debut at (capsule) Paris, has been selling exclusively in Japan for four years in core bike and fashion stores. Conceived by president and designer, Hideto Suzuki, PEdAL ED is a labor of love and designed with the essence and to meet the unique demands of urban cycling culture.
Suzuki left the world of high fashion (where he was a designer for Junko Shimada) behind for a simpler life in Northern Japan, where he dedicated himself to the more rewarding occupation of building wooden houses in a traditional style. Riding to and from work every day inspired his return to fashion. “I felt this was missing,” said Suzuki, “truly useful and beautiful clothing made for riding one’s bike and for going to work. I made what I needed.”
PEdAL ED is designed and produced in Japan but utilizes natural, raw materials from the USA, plus rich Irish linens. All pieces are designed with details to enhance movement; sleeves a little bit longer for outstretched arms, tear away zippers for cooling down on the move, iPod cord holes, rear pockets with hidden reflective tape, paraffin wax treatments for waterproofing, hoods with silhouettes sculpted to consider peripheral vision, ventilation systems, ingenious bottoms with no-stitched crotch panels (painless!), and hand-painted whiskers on denim that utilize a proprietary reflective paint made from sand with small pieces of glass. All of these details don’t detract, however, from a collection that looks wholly contemporary and elegant with the earthy casual vibe that Japan’s designers do so well. Your new chambray shirt from PEdAL ED not only looks fantastic, it has a back panel made of jersey to absorb the sweat from your morning commute.
Suzuki rides 9km everyday, rain or shine on one of his two classic American road bikes or his Kuwahara mountain bike.
