The Designer Touch

The sad demise of Beijing's push-bikes has been well documented. What was once the land where bicycles reigned supreme has now become a gas-guzzler's dream, or, given Beijing's traffic situation, a nightmare. The trusty bike could yet make a comeback though amongst the affluent and fashionable set as luxury brands pop their insignia on this humble mode of transportation.

Chanel launched their Chanel Cycle as part of their Spring/Summer 2008 range, celebrating the fashion house's heritage (and Coco Chanel's love of sport).

Gucci, it could be argued, has gone one better with their version. Not merely content with the Gucci Bike, they've launched an entire range of red-themed designer goodies to tie in with Beijing's Olympic fever. Their limited edition 8/8/08 range features a shiny red bicycle (yours for the bargain price of USD 3,420), and red Gucci mahjong set (USD 3,150) and a red digital watch, the fashion house's first digital timepiece, for USD 1,415. Beijing's label-obsessed should look out for these Olympic-tastic goodies in Gucci stores in Hong Kong and the mainland later this month, although the watch is already featured on the company’s website.

For the rest of us more impoverished residents, we're not entirely sure when the fakes will be hitting Yashow and Silk Street, but the safe money's on splashing out on a genuine Jing Jing from any one of Beijing's numerous official Olympic retail outlets. Let's face it, it's less likely to give the kiddies nightmares than Gucci's frankly terrifying leather panda...

Links and Sources:
Luxist.com: Gucci's 8-8-08 Limited Edition
Beijing Olympics Fan: Gucci 8 Limited Edition Beijing Olympic Designs and Accessories, From Mahjong To Bicycle and A Weird Panda
Fashion Week Daily: Olympics, Gucci-Style
Gucci: Watch
Get Outdoors: City Cruiser Bike By Chanel