PORTLAND, OR (BRAIN) — Babici, a relatively new high-end road cycling clothing line based in Australia, is coming to shore in the U.S. next season. The brand's exclusive U.S. online retailer will be Competitive Cyclist; the company also will be looking to sell to independent bike dealers.
Australian designer Kev Babakian founded Babici in 2009. U.S importer Michael Emery, who is based in Portland, said the brand occupies similar territory as Rapha and Giordana. The clothing uses Italian and Australian fabrics and is sewn in Australia. Its bibs retail for about $190 and feature the Imerio chamois, made for Babici by Dolomiti, fan Italian chamois maker.
In Australia, the brand is sold primarily consumer direct through the brand's website.
Emery is a long-time industry sales rep in the Northwest. He said the clothing line is currently available at one shop in Portland, West End Bikes. He hopes to spread out from there in the next year to shops in urban cycling centers like Seattle, Vancouver, Denver, New York.
