Rapha's Kit for East Africa's AMANI Cycling Team Is a Work of Art
With designs inspired by the region’s rich cultures.
Heritage cycling brand Rapha has unveiled its kits for East Africa’s trailblazing AMANI cycling team, drawing inspiration from the region for a uniform that embodies the team’s blended cultures. Accompanied by a campaign photographed by Finley Newmark and styled by Kennedy Mirema, the kit and imagery are a celebration of East Africa, from traditions and textiles to the region’s nature.
AMANI is a fairly new team, founded in 2020. Created to challenge stereotypes and break barriers to cycling in East Africa, the group of talented athletes train most of the year in Iten, Kenya, also known as “The Home of Champions.” Despite the challenges that they face as a newly-founded team, from lack of infrastructure to visa and travel obstacles, AMANI is one of the most exciting groups in the cycling space.
For such a special team, only an equal special uniform will suffice. The new kit features an abstract, patchwork design, reimagining traditional textiles from different tribes and cultures throughout the region. The colorful look is achieved using natural dyes, playing with the hues to create a contemporary color palette.
Recurring motifs decorate the performance wear, particularly the Ethiopian Adey Abeba flower. An emblem of Ethiopian New Year, the floral design covers the front of the kit and runs down the shoulders in a multi-color design.
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