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Jane Ryan likes to dive right in. So, when she started cycling last year, she
naturally wanted all the equipment, right down to an Italian-made, sleeveless,
floral-print jersey with mesh side panels.
But Ryan couldn’t find that jersey or much else in the way of stylish cycling
apparel for women. Instead of searching in vain, Ryan turned her small Trashy
Cat clothing brand into a women’s cycling apparel company.
Ryan, a single mom with a retail background and a passion for sewing, began
Trashy Cat two years ago as a hobby. “I was just playing with the logo and
putting it on T-shirts and hats,” she said.
“When I saw the lack of women’s cycling apparel, I decided to take Trashy Cat
in a new direction and make hip and fun cycling clothes for women. Cycling is
still dominated by men, but more women are getting into it because they care
about their health and fitness,” she said.
Ryan joined a local bike club, flooded the female cyclists with questions,
and solicited feedback on her early designs.
“The women asked me to make the jerseys long and to add more color,” Ryan
said.
Although Ryan still runs Trashy Cat out of her home in Phoenix, Arizona, she
wants to turn the brand into a legitimate business. She developed her initial
product line in just a few months. She is showing it in booth 465.
The line includes short-sleeve and sleeveless jerseys and coordinate shorts
in 10 print styles. Floral, camouflage and tie-dye prints are among the patterns
available.
The line is divided into two categories, a high-end line made in Italy and a
lower cost line made in the United States. The Italian line has subdued styling;
The American line has more color and print options.
Ryan also wants to flatter the female physique. The Italian jerseys, for
instance, have black mesh in the side panels for a slimming effect. All Trashy
Cat jerseys are longer than normal to flatter the waistline.
Ryan soon will launch a Trashy Cat web site, but she plans to sell only
through specialty retail shops. She has shown the line to retailers near Phoenix
and many are interested, she said, adding that she hopes to recruit more
retailers, distributors and sales reps at the show.
“It’s my first show so I’m here to learn. I hope to get some orders or at
least some phone numbers. At the very least everyone has a chance to meet me and
see some actual product,” Ryan said.
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