The fabled world of Vespa is getting bigger.
Though best known for its trendy motorscooters, Vespa is entering the sportswear arena. The Vespa collection of men’s sportswear will be introduced on Monday.
“Vespa is not only a motor scooter, it is a lifestyle, and the sportswear is a complement to the Vespa lifestyle,” said Giancarlo Fantappie, president of Vespa USA.
The spring 2002 collection will consist of men’s sportswear and outerwear. Because 45 percent of all Vespa buyers are women, a women’s collection will be introduced in February for fall 2002.
The collection is being manufactured under a license with IFT, a New York-based company that is also responsible for the Moschino and Custo Barcelona collections. Christian Blanken, a Dutch-born designer, who trained at the illustrious St. Martin’s school in London, is designing the men’s collection.
The pieces are retro in style, with curves and angles inspired by the scooters. “It is all made in Italy,” Fantappie said, “and is retro in styling, from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, revisited with today’s modern fashions in mind.”
Priced in the vast area between Zegna sportswear and Banana Republic, Fantappie said, it will be sold in specialty stores and department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.
Selected items will also be sold through the Vespa boutiques, which currently sell Vespa scooters and accessories.
“People want to buy the Vespa brand to be associated with ‘La Dolce Vita’ lifestyle,” Fantappie noted.
Vespa, which means “wasp” in Italian, made its debut after World War II and was viewed in Italy as a symbol of freedom.
Appearing in literature, advertising and movies including “Roman Holiday” and “La Dolce Vita,” the Vespa quickly grew to be a cultural icon.
Because of restrictions made by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, however, Piaggio, the parent company, was unable to sell Vespas in the U.S. for more than 20 years. The company relaunched the fabled scooters in the U.S. last year, introducing two new models in a rainbow of colors.
“It is a strange phenomenon,” said Fantappie. “Vespa was reintroduced in this country just six months ago, and the requests are constantly climbing – I cannot explain it.”