LVMH announces winners of 'Bike in Style Challenge'

03 Jun '09

5 min read

The winning designs in the “Bike in Style Challenge” were unveiled on June 2.

As part of its longstanding commitment to the environment, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's leading luxury goods company, announced the winners of the “Bike in Style” Challenge. The Challenge asked student designers from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) to create stylish, practical and affordable bike clothing and gear in support of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's bicycling promotion initiatives.

Expanding the City's bicycling infrastructure to facilitate commuting by bicycle is part of the Mayor's PlaNYC sustainability agenda, to create a greener, greater New York City. LVMH Inc. Chairman Renaud Dutreil proposed to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, the City's Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) the creation of the “Bike in Style Challenge” earlier this year.

The Challenge winner was announced at an award ceremony held at the LVMH Tower in New York City. The judges included: Renaud Dutreil of LVMH; First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris; Commissioner of NYC's DOT Janette Sadik-Khan; the iconic American designer Donna Karan; Celebrity Designer for DKNY Jeans Hilary Duff; Andy Darrell of the Environmental Defense Fund; and Dr. Valerie Steele of The Museum at FIT.

Oscar-winning French actress, environmental activist and face of the new Lady Dior advertising campaign, Marion Cotillard, made a special appearance to show her support for the project.

FIT students participating in the Challenge were charged with designing a set of biking essentials: a poncho, a jacket and a travel bag for both men and women. Jessica Velasquez was awarded $5,000 for her designs, which won first place. Jane Carlton was awarded $3,000. Stephanie Murphy was awarded $2,000.

Prototypes of Jessica Velasquez's designs will be unveiled this summer, in conjunction with the return of the City's popular “Summer Streets,” of which LVMH is a main sponsor. Debuted last year, Summer Streets closes a 6.9-mile route from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park to cars for people to run, bike, walk and take part in activities on three Saturday mornings in August. A photo of Jessica Velasquez's designs accompanies this press release.

Renaud Dutreil, Chairman of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Inc., said, “LVMH congratulates Jessica Velasquez for winning this Challenge and all of the other FIT students who submitted such extremely creative designs. It was difficult to choose one winner among them. We were delighted to work with the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, the DOT and FIT on this project. The Mayor's Office and DOT have made exceptional strides in promoting bicycling in New York City. LVMH is proud to join them in this effort and is committed to promoting style, an eco-friendly attitude and a better quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

Mr. Dutreil added, “LVMH's support of this Challenge and Summer Streets reflects our Group's dedication both to environmental protection as well as our fervent support of young design talent. LVMH has long supported groundbreaking initiatives in these areas in France and we are delighted to now be an active part of these important initiatives in the U.S., with Bike in Style marking the beginning of our efforts.” (See attached Fact Sheet on LVMH's environmental initiatives and support of new talent.)

More LVMH News... More Fashion News - United States Of America...