Originally published in the Fall 2020 issue of SPOKE+BLOSSOM

Cory Hibbard is the category designer for BikeStyle at PEARL iZUMi. A Western Slope native, she grew up in Ridgway, Colorado, and attributes her experiences in and around the San Juan mountains as the main influence for becoming an active/outdoor apparel designer.

Hibbard describes her work as “adventure-powered design,” where she blends learnings from all the activities Colorado has to offer with her love for style, flawless functionality and sustainability. Spoke+Blossom asked Hibbard about PEARL iZUMi’s mission on sustainability:

What is PEARL iZUMi’s mission?

PEARL iZUMi was founded on two things: the love of cycling and, more importantly, love for future generations. The brand originated more than 60 years ago in Japan, when the founder created a special jersey out of technical fabric for his son, an aspiring bike racer. Since then, the company has been progressing the design and manufacture of performance apparel and footwear for cyclists of all levels.

PEARL iZUMi believes that how we live today shapes how future generations ride, and is committed to using their business practices, products and community advocacy to create a positive impact through cycling. PEARL iZUMi’s world headquarters are located in the Colorado Front Range, where it embraces strong influence, both culturally and structurally, from its Japanese heritage.

What does sustainability mean to PEARL iZUMi?

At PEARL iZUMi, we see how sustainability can take on many different forms that ultimately create an overall force for good. To us, that means focusing on where we can make the most impactful difference through our business practices, products and advocacy efforts. Our social purpose is built from these three pillars and is the guiding force for good behind everything we do. I think this multi-focused approach to sustainability lays the runway for so much more participation within the company and really utilizes everyone’s area of expertise and brainpower.

What goes on inside the office?

Everything. On a typical day, the office is buzzing with life, and it is easy to observe because of the way the building encourages collaboration. The open concept promotes the flow of ideas between departments and creates an exciting environment to work in. The best way I can summarize what goes on inside the office is to look at a product’s life — from ideation all the way through to when the consumer wears it on a ride.

The shell of the product idea is brought to the table by the merchandising team and a brief is then given to the design team. Simultaneously, the materials team works early on and closely with the designers to begin fabric and trim ideation and sourcing. The designers use their seasonal design language, trend research and design principles to ideate (either by hand or straight into CAD) sketches for the new product. Initial concepts are presented, tweaked and often prototyped in-house before being polished into full technical sketches and handed off to the development team.

The developers work closely with the factory to generate prototypes and work with live models to conduct fittings. The sourcing and operations teams determine which factory will be best for the product to be manufactured in and coordinate shipping calendars and logistics. Soon, the sales team is brought in to see the new product and they educate the sales rep team about the product, as well as present the new product to buyers.

Marketing coordinates the photoshoots, video shoots, press and social media content around the product, and the go-to-market team makes sure information about the product is up and that the product can be purchased on our website. There is so much more that goes into the daily operations, including our accounting team, customer service team and our made-to-order team, to name a few.

Your women’s line is developed entirely by women. Why is that a rarity in today’s industry? What does it mean to be a female engineer at PEARL iZUMi?

Yes, it is! Everything from the design, the development, the early prototyping and the material sourcing was done by a badass team of women inside HQ. It is awesome to see the ideas, tough decisions and intelligence of an all-women team going into the product for a traditionally male-heavy sport. I say traditionally because I think the landscape has changed now to where so many more women are getting out on their bikes and tearing it up.

Being a female designer for me means leading with trust. Trust in my own abilities and ideas — that they are relevant, well thought out, and ultimately will provide an awesome riding experience. Trust in my coworkers and team — that they will see the vision and support one another in order to bring all of our best ideas to life. It is challenging, never boring, and, at the end of the day, always rewarding.

Round 2, 1.jpg — **SPOKE+BLOSSOM’S FAVORITE PEARL iZUMi FALL 2020 PICKS**

Summit Insulated Shirt.png — *Summit Insulated Shirt*

Be a little more versatile throughout the fall season with this men’s snap front shirt that is insulated, while also offering moisture transfer for sweaty efforts. Stretch fabric elbow patches and front pockets add style as well as durability. $165

*Vesta Studio Shoe*

For your indoor days, these shoes transition well from a studio cycling session to abs in the gym to a post-workout coffee stop. $125

*Scape Coveralls*

Bike for fun or commute in style with these women’s coveralls made with organic cotton and durable nylon. Five pockets offer plenty of options for storage on-the-move, and a durable water repellent (DWR) finish helps to prevent stains and keeps you dry if you ride through autumn puddles. $150

Interval Jersey .png — *Interval Jersey*

Stay high-performance as the seasons transition with this fitted and lightweight jersey. It lines up nicely under a top layer against chilly morning air, and once the sun and temperature rises, its breathability is ideal for keeping you cool. $93.75 - $125

AmFIB Tight.png — *AmFIB Tight*

As temperatures drop, the tight that does the trick is the AmFIB softshell. Key areas are protected from the elements — the front of the leg, the seat and the Achilles tendons, while permanent water-repellent technology sheds precipitation to keep you warmer and dryer. Pull them over your favorite chamois and wear them for a range of other cold weather activities. $130

AmFIB Lite Glove.png — *AmFIB*
*Lite Glove*

Keep your hands cozy but not too hot while you’re riding with these insulated gloves. Perfect for late fall riding and on warmer winter days, these gloves offer wind protection and don’t detract from your dexterity. $55

Elevate Shorts.png — *Elevate Shorts*

Technology is at the forefront of design with these men’s mountain bike shorts. The tailored fit is ideal with lightweight four-way stretch, a BOA dial for instant fit adjustments, a premium liner and pure comfort chamois. $175

For more information go to pearlizumi.com

Gear Profile: PEARL iZUMi