Ciovita X – Upcycling With Creativity And Upliftment
The Kings of Comfy, Ciovita, have smashed it again with a stylish new collaboration with a Stellenbosch artist: Ciovita X.
Ciovita is well known – locally, and increasingly internationally – for its premium cycling kit. The firm’s new Ciovita X project builds further on that reputation, combining fashion, form, function and community in an exciting new project, a collaborative programme pushing to celebrate prime examples of local talent and at the same time, aid social development.
CEO Andrew Gold is justifiably proud of the new initiative: “We are releasing limited-edition, high-performance designer gear with input from upcoming creatives. In every instance, a portion of sales is being committed to a community project with a proven and successful track record. Our mantra is life in motion – from cycling excellence to maintaining our momentum in responding innovatively and deftly to societal challenges.”
The first collaboration is with Stellenbosch artist Michelle-Lize van Wyk, whose artwork is to feature on a once-off, small-run range of three cycling tops.“My wish is for my work to strike a chord in some way with everyone, offering insight, direction and healing, while connecting and awakening whole communities. How wonderful if our collaboration can go some way towards achieving that!”
Each of the tops has been inspired by a gorgeously coloured gemstone and they sell for R1 499 apiece (and include a free matching cycling cap), with R100 going towards AITSA!, an after-care child support group that works with pre-schoolers right up until they complete their secondary education. Established in 2013, AITSA! is an NGO providing after-care to children in the Dwarsrivier Valley, Stellenbosch. Its focus is on educational, arts, culture, sporting and life skills development. Working with Grade R children, and partnering with their carers, it aims to support learners until they reach school-leaving age. It currently works with 220 local children.
The three gems are jacinth, a fiery orange/red zircon associated with spiritual depth and wisdom; sapphire – frequently deep blue – that’s believed to bring abundance, calm and intuition; and lastly, beryl, often green in colour and valued for its healing properties.
Gold says each Ciovita creative collaboration will be a once-off. “The garments we launch are intended as collectibles. We are working with a variety of designers and creatives to make beautiful, functional gear. We hope the Ciovita X garments will inspire in their wearers a pride in personal performance, in South African talent and in doing good. To be our best selves means more than just focusing on personal development goals. It demands that we see ourselves as part of a broader community and that we find workable ways to make a positive difference.”
He adds that Ciovita is not only raising funds for AITSA! but also working with the NGO to teach mountain biking skills to many of the children in its care.
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