On Tue, Jan 11, 2011 at 11:29, Mark Lawrence
<mark.lawrence@firstreadthis.com> wrote:
> But in reality, it is a kind of Utopian statement. It reminds me of a fur lined silk raincoat I once saw at a fashion show. It may look wonderful on the catwalks, but it's about as useful as a chocolate teapot as we say.
I scorn the absurdity of the $268 rain cape; and yet I think this raincape, with its ostentatiously practical details like the subtle reflective fabric, full hood, and integrated straps for mounting to your Brooks saddle loops, is rather clever as a fashionable object of desire. I could say the same for a lot of Brooks' new items, as far Barbour or Belstaff. Many of the most offensive items in their lineup impress me for their marvelous packaging of brand mystique - not as a cyclist but as an interested critic of consumer product design.
One mourns the loss of authenticity in the "heritage brands" we hold dear, but that's the price we pay for the glory of living to see the end of history!
James Black
Los Angeles, CA