Cycling had always been the preferred mode of transportation for husband-and-wife Raffael Iglesias and Krista Ozolins. But it wasn't until a professor who had taught them both a few years apart introduced the two at a 2001 art opening that they teamed up.
Both Raffael and Krista studied at the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD). After graduating, Krista went on to study fashion design at George Brown College and sold clothing on consignment in various shops around Toronto. Raffael, on the other hand went to Europe where he discovered concepts that inspired him to create a bike-friendly clothing line. “Wouldn’t it be good if somebody made fashionable clothes that were also cycle-friendly, using materials that are water resistant and a little bit stretchy without sacrificing any style?” he had thought.
The combination of Krista's design experience and Raffael's idea lead to the in-house line of Upside Apparel ― men’s and women’s cycling clothing that, at first glance, would look at home on the racks of any modern clothing store in Toronto. But that’s precisely what Raffael and Krista are hoping for.
“The whole idea was to create hybrid clothing,” Raffael says. He goes on to explain how the majority of bike-themed apparel makes its wearers look like “something between Tron and you’re in the Tour de France,” with a laugh.
Instead, Upside’s clothing allows you to ride your bike with ease and go about your day unnoticed. “If you’re riding your bike to an art opening or brunch, you can’t tell once you get off your bike that you’re wearing something that’s made for a bike,” Raffael points out. “But you’ll be able to feel the difference when you’re riding.”
