MEANDER Apparel is on a journey. The Edinburgh-based premium lifestyle and performance brand is entering the cycling market with a fashionable and functional jacket for the casual cyclist.

The company was founded by husband-and-wife team Steve and Jill Henry, who come from very different educational backgrounds.

Jill studied clothing design and manufacturing at Heriot-Watt University and then spent 10 years in London working for international brands and designers.

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Steve, on the other hand, studied aeronautical engineering at Durham University and now has 10 years’ of experience in the financial industry.

However, the duo’s thirst for adventure inspired them to combine their skills and launch their own brand.

In April 2015, Steve completed a charity expedition to the North Pole to set a world record for the northernmost game of rugby played.

To help raise funds for the trip, they organised a bike ride from London to Paris. Their first challenge, though, was sourcing fashionable yet functional cycling wear.

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Jill says: “In preparation for our trip we were looking for clothing to buy and found a lack of nice jackets and clothing that had all the functionality that we needed and that looked good off the bike too. We found a lot of bright neon jackets, and lycra but nothing we wanted as part of our daily lives.”

And so the Meander Apparel concept was born with the stylish commuter or casual weekend adventurer in mind and is now set to launch its initial crowdfunding campaign on April 24 to launch the Meander Jacket.

The brand is entering the market with a jacket that has been developed to offer style and functionality whilst staying true to the brand mission to create sustainable and timeless pieces.

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Jill says: “We wanted to design a jacket that was great for cycling in and that was great to wear out with friends. We love minimalist design and lifestyle. Rather than having a jacket for every occasion we wanted one that ticked all the boxes. The Meander Jacket subtly incorporates all the technical features you’d expect from cycle wear without compromising on design.”

The jacket combines innovative features with high-performance Italian fabrics, made from environmentally friendly materials.

Not ones to miss a trick, Jill and Steve also took into consideration the unpredictability of the weather, ensuring the jacket is lightweight, waterproof and breathable.

Jill adds: “Following our crowdfunding campaign, we plan to expand the range to fully cater for commuter cyclists and outdoor lovers, continuing to work with sustainable suppliers and recycled fabrics wherever possible.”

meanderapparel.com