Meet Bridget, Founder of Nine Lives Motowear
what makes you a rule breaker?
The days of the motorcycle industry being male dominated are ending. We’re seeing more and more women learning how to ride, working as mechanics and building their own bikes, riding professionally and racing, and creating motorcycle gear for our bodies. After all, we know exactly what we need on the road, so why leave it to the male designers? There is still so much room for innovation and creativity in the world of women’s motorcycle gear. We’re also excited to bring something new and different to riders who are looking for an alternative to leather gear. We wanted something very specific with minimal branding; a stylish and safe design that can be worn on and off the bike, and that is exactly what we made.
We didn’t have funding to produce a small initial run, let alone launch the full brand, so once the Juliet Jacket was ready for production, we took our idea to Kickstarter. The outpouring of support was overwhelming. In less than 30 hours on Kickstarter, we received the funding to actually launch this new, very small business with big dreams and we were able to create the first small run of the jacket that we had poured our hearts into. We are confident that we’ve created something unique, stylish, and safe that women will be able to wear on and off the bike for years to come. Truth is, we couldn’t do this without the support of the community.
What was the inspiration for starting your brand?
As someone who commutes by bike, I wanted a protective jacket that would pass as a “normal” fashionable jacket at work or in my casual life. After days of searching, I felt frustrated seeing SO many versions of exactly what I wanted made for men, but hardly any made for my body. I began jokingly thinking “at this rate, I might as well create my own instead of waiting on someone else to do it!” Eventually, I gave up my search and ordered a denim moto-jacket designed for men. I had the arms and waist tailored, but the jacket was still boxy and not what I was looking for. Still, other women who ride began asking me where I bought my jacket, and then I realized it wasn’t just me who wanted more options. That’s exactly how the concept for our first product, the Juliet Moto Jacket came to be.
What is the thing you want your brand to express?
Nine Lives Motowear is a motowear brand with an emphasis on safety, sustainability and style. Cats are known for their ability to always land feet first, withstanding falls and accidents without being fatally wounded. Women who ride motorcycles deserve access to gear that helps them feel just like that, without sacrificing style or comfort.
Felines and femininity have long been associated, and Nine Lives Motowear embraces that similar to cats. Women exhibit dexterity, agility, and independence - on and off the motorcycle. Created by women with a passion for riding motorcycles and fashion design, we combine these skill sets to create gear with your best interests in mind.
What are some of your favorite materials?
Our past struggles with other moto-jackets brought us to the Juliet Moto Jacket’s design and it’s materials. The jacket pattern is comprised of 36 individual pieces, and cut from 4 different fabrics, including a tough 12oz denim shell, an abrasion-resistant Kevlar lining, and mesh pockets for armor inserts. The internal TENCEL™ Lyocell Twill lining keeps it soft and comfy, while the back features 6" air-vent zippers for warm weather and reflective piping to increase visibility.
We’ve lined the high-risk abrasion areas with half a yard of 9oz Kevlar. One of the strongest fibers in the world, Kevlar is also heat-resistant. And fun fact: Kevlar was invented by a woman!
Why is sustainability important to your brand?
As longtime human rights, animal rights, and environmental advocates, we saw a need not only for women's gear in the motorcycle industry, but vegan-friendly, sustainable options, too. Leather doesn’t need to be the default choice for safety in the motorcycle world. There are other abrasion resistant materials that can protect our skin and let animals keep theirs too.
We're proud to guarantee that our products are made in the USA, under ethical working conditions. We take pride in creating gear that minimizes harm to animals and the planet, and does not exploit the hard-working people creating it.
What elements of SUSTAINABility are in your brand?
We used dead-stock (rolls of fabric that are leftover after a production run) denim in our first small run of the Juliet Jacket and will continue to use it whenever possible. Making use of dead-stock is a popular choice for designers wanting to make their products more sustainable, or for those who need a limited amount for a small run. We also use a TENCEL™ Lyocell Twill lining, which is a super soft material made from transforming wood pulp into cellulosic fibers, with high resource efficiency and low environmental impact.
Investing in higher-quality motorcycle gear that you’ll wear more often and hold onto for longer is a great way to combat the carbon footprint made from your garments. We've designed the Juliet Jacket to be tough by using extra-durable thread and double-stitching in high-risk impact areas, a thick 12oz denim shell and quality hardware so it’s built to last.
