Rapha (sportswear)

Rapha

200px
Traded as	Rapha Performance Roadwear
Industry	Sporting goods
Founded	2004
Founder	Simon Mottram and Luke Scheybeler
Headquarters	London, England
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Clothing Accessories Skin Care Cycling Holidays
Website	rapha.cc

Rapha Performance Roadwear is a sportswear and lifestyle brand focused on road bicycle racing, clothing and accessories. Rapha headquarters are in London with a United States office in Portland, Oregon.

History

Started in London in early 2004 by Simon Mottram the first products launched in July of that year. The name Rapha was taken from the 1960s cycling team Rapha, which was named after the apéritif drink company Saint Raphaël.

In 2007, Rapha partnered with British designer Paul Smith to create a range of limited-edition cycle clothing and accessories.

Rapha clothing is produced in a number of different locations including the UK, Italy and the Far East. UK production included some early Merino wool pieces and also leather gloves which are made in Somerset, England. Italian production focuses on stretch fabric and stretch garments such as shorts and tights. In China production focuses on the most technical items, such as outerwear.

Sponsorships

Rapha used to co-own the UK-based cycling team JLT–Condor with London bike brand Condor Cycles and the cyclocross team Rapha Focus, at the end of 2014 Rapha announced they would end their grassroots sponsorship to focus on Team Sky and Team Wiggins. In August 2012, it was announced that as of 2013, Rapha will be producing the clothing for the British cycling team, Team Sky. Australian Cyclocross champion for 2013 and 2014, Lisa Jacobs, chooses to wear Rapha clothing. On November 3rd 2015, Rapha announced that their Team Sky sponsorship will end after the 2016 season.