Rapha has announced a striking collaboration with British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE on a seven-piece cycling apparel collection available exclusively to Rapha Cycling Club members worldwide. The collection, which launched on 25 June, draws on Ilori's upbringing in Islington, North London, and his Nigerian heritage to link two cycling cultures.
Ilori, whose work spans architecture, sculpture, furniture and interior design, grew up on Essex Road, where bikes were ridden in packs from the estate to Tower Bridge. Rapha said they offered escape and independence when other transport was unavailable.
"Cycling was never a solo pursuit, it was a lifestyle, a way of belonging, a joyful expression of togetherness," Ilori said. "There was an element of fearlessness, a sense of freedom to just move around. Cycling gave me purpose."
An exclusive collection at a premium price
The collection includes a Pro Team Rouleur jersey, Pro Team bib shorts, cap, socks, a long-sleeve tech tee and a short-sleeve cotton tee, plus a sticker pack. Prices range from £15 for the sticker pack to £250 for the bib shorts.
Designer Yinka Ilori in Rapha clothing
The design language is rooted in West African and Nigerian cultural symbolism. Rapha said the collection features pixelated floral motifs including hibiscus, the yellow trumpet flower (Nigeria's national flower) and the palm. The brand said these symbols represent community, resilience, transformation and collective growth. A secondary floral reference draws on the British daffodil, adding to the London-Lagos theme.
"I would ride with people from all over the world; it was the thing that made everyone feel like we were the same," Ilori said.
The release is part of a broader pattern from Rapha, which has used artist collaborations to build cultural identity around its membership club. Previous RCC partnerships have included American graphic artist David Carson, Kelly Anna, Yoon Hyup, María Medem and Geoff McFetridge.
This year's releases in the wake of Rapha's pull-back from pro cycling, with the US Olympic team being the primary performance focus while doubling down on more creative partnerships and refocussing its Brevet collection on ultra-endurance and bikepacking.
Rapha presents the RCC as the world’s most connected network of cyclists. The company said that last year it organised more than 4,000 rides across the world and covered over 3 million miles with members. Limiting this collection to that membership base reinforces the club-first model Rapha has been building through these exclusive product drops.
The collection is available to RCC members now.
