Nick Hussey poured his passion and love for all things two-wheeled into founding cycle clothing company Vulpine and it really does show.

Since launching Vulpine in March 2012, Hussey has successfully built a reputation for superb quality, attention to detail and friendliness. His stylish, technical cycling apparel has received rave reviews from the industry’s media and more importantly their customers.

The details Vulpine build into their garments are bike-specific, gleaned from decades of experience in cycling and design. They have integrated our passion for British tailoring with performance fabrics to make apparel that doesn’t just look great: It works and lasts.

Now, a year after launching, Vulpine have expanded their merino range significantly.

In come three new women’s garments, the Merino T, Merino V-neck and Merino Alpine Jersey. All in three colours each, varying between: Claret, Fern Green, Grey and Astral Blue. They are all made with Vulpine’s favourite high-grade 180gram Tasmanian merino.

The expansion of the Women’s range from just the Merino Button Jersey couldn’t have come fast enough for Nick. “I’d planned to go 50/50 on male/female ranges from day one, but the economic realities of working with factories on minimum runs etc meant that I had to wait until we had a bit of momentum before jumping in”.

At present there are no shorts or trousers, however Nick has assured us that from as early as July this year, we will see Vulpine bring updated Original Rain Jackets, Harrington Rain Jackets, a new cotton set of trousers and cotton shorts, all in up to four colours all in women’s sizing too.

All the tops are cut wider at the hips, cut in at the waist and shorter on the body to suit a female figure. “We have already sold out of some sizes within hours of going live, demand has been so great.  If it doesn’t sound too presumptuous, I had expected this before launch, such was the frustration that so many women I had spoken to had with the current still common use of ‘Shrink it and pink it’ in the industry. No fuchsia pink or flowers!”

The V-Neck Merino T (£55) is a natural progression for the successful merino T that Vulpine launched with. There are no changes to the T, as Hussey said, “Why change a winning formula? We built it to be the best, and it is getting reviews as such. Its not cheap, we know that. But it uses the best, plushest, no-piling merino. Fabric and finishing of that quality is pricey! It’s actually great value. Honest guv.”

The Alpine Jersey (£80) is an interesting direction for Vulpine. The most performance-cycling influenced garment to date, it features a full-length contrast zip “for riding up beautiful cols in the searing heat and screaming down past the snow line. Or just a nice cakey jaunt to Box Hill.” commented Hussey. It is similar to their Button Jersey, with a slightly more relaxed fit than a pure racing jersey.

It’s pleasing to see that small independent clothing companies, like Vulpine seem to be drawing ahead of a pack of casual clothing launches over the last year, perhaps signified by a public-vote nomination as Best Brand at the respected London Cycling Awards alongside giant brands Rapha and Specialized.

Beyond the clothes, Nick and his team are actively involved in cycling in its myriad forms. They are passionate about inclusivity and creativity within cycling and even have a manifesto of sorts: The New Cycling.

Vulpine organise The Vulpine Cycling Fetes, free cycling events where they bring together the best new British cycling brands and artists to raise money for charities such as Save Herne Hill Velodrome and Wheels For Wellbeing.

Putting their money where their mouth is, Vulpine also support women’s racing via top racing team Matrix Fitness Racing Academy.

Headline image featuring Team Vulpine: James Greig, Nick Hussey, Jools Walker © Paul Calver.