One of the perks of living in a great bike town is great bike shopping. This weekend you’ve got two opportunities to find major scores from two very cool bike companies: The Vanilla Workshop and Vespertine.
Vanilla needs no introduction. This is the brand developed by southeast Portlander Sacha White and it includes his world-famous Vanilla Bicycles, his Speedvagen production line of cyclocross and road bikes, and the various other art, fashion and other design collaborations housed under the Vanilla Workshop banner.
This Saturday, White and his talented crew will throw open the doors of their shop at SE 17th and Powell for a “Garage Sale” that is sure to be full of brag-worthy, hard-to-find items at great prices. The event flyer promises deals on products from Edge, Phil Wood, Chris King Precision Components, Fizik, Shimano, Campy, Vanilla team kit, and much more.
The Vanilla Workshop Garage Sale is tomorrow (7/20) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 1711 SE Powell Blvd.
Vespertine might not have the same following as Vanilla (yet); but this New York City-based fashion brand is raising eyebrows wherever it goes. I noticed Vespertine at the National Bike Summit back in March, as did NYC’s famed transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
(and then bought) this Vespertine jacket at the
National Bike Summit (shown here with company
founder Sarah Canner).
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
Founder Sarah Canner created Vespertine to “help break down barriers to urban cycling for women, namely safety, style and lightweight versatility.” Her pieces — for women and men — use highly-visible and reflective materials that are designed to look stylish on and off the bike. Vespertine recently won the 2012 ISPO Brand New Award for Best New Bike Apparel Brand.
This Sunday (7/21) Vespertine ounder Sarah Canner will share her “Haute Réflecture” collections at a Trunk Show at Folly on the corner of NW 16th and Lovejoy. More than just a sale, this event will feature a presentation by Women on Wheels author April Street called “Fashion fast forward” about the history of women’s fashion and cycling.
Vespertine will also offer “safety makeovers” so bring your current safety accessories for a stylish revamp that will make your on-the-bike fashion worth reflecting.