VANCOUVER, BC, Jun 24, 2002/ FW/ --- Contrary to the song by the Eagles,
"life in the fast lane" hasn't made Suzanne Fetting lose her
mind. But the 26-year-old Vancouver woman is crazy about her chosen sport.
Along with top local promoter Jamal Abdourahman, Fetting organized a fashion
show entitled Feminine Adrenaline at the upscale Au Bar nightclub on June
6, 2002 to show that mounting a motorcycle can be as much about style
as speed.
"The inspiration to put this show together was my addiction to
riding sport bikes," Fetting confirmed. "There's a growing
trend of women getting into motorcycles."
This marked the second straight year for Feminine Adrenaline, and the
growth of the concept since 2001 is gratifying to Fetting. The statuesque
former model boasts a background in store planning, retail sales and
visual merchandising.
"We are trying to target women who already ride as well as those
who are considering getting into it, and also those who may simply be
drawn by their interest in fashion," said Fetting. "They're
making some great-looking gear for us these days!"
In front of an enthusiastic capacity crowd of 450, the show literally
got off to a roaring start when Fetting came out full motorcycle regalia
and revved the engine of a parked red Honda F4 to send clouds of dry
ice billowing across the runway.
Next up were models strutting in leather Honda apparel emblazoned with
the FOX RACING logo, with looks ranging from Swedish combat gear to
an all-American red, blue and white.
The Original Leather Factory, based in Vancouver since 1976, provided
a smorgasbord of lightweight and heavy duty jackets, some of which looked
tough enough to have outfitted heavy metal rockers Judas Priest circa
1982.
Dayton's contribution was a series of stylish cotton pullovers and
snug-fitting T-shirts for casual off-road use.
Cattiva made its mark with flexible summer wear in a nice range of
hues, with a sporty flair just as well suited to tennis as motorcycle
madness.
When you park the bike at your favorite beach, Kitzco Swimwear offers
dazzling bikinis for those who dare to bare.
Using an array of synthetic fabrics, Kitzco adorned models in a variety
of floral patterns ranging in color from blue and yellow to hot pink
and black, and also triumphed with the classic French look.
Cattiva's second tour of the runway focused on trendy casual wear,
with simple but practical frayed denim skirts juxtaposed with tank tops
and spaghetti straps. In keeping with the motorcycle theme, a studded
black leather handbag also made an appearance.
Lingerie from Body One on Granville Street spoke of hot nights after
days racing down the highway. Highlights included a stunning white lace
bustier with beige stockings and a pink-and-black baby doll in tailored
satin. Also featured were some of Body One's swimsuits, ranging from
a tasteful blue rayon bikini to a selection of revealing thongs.
The spotlight shifted back to motorcycle apparel from Clearbrook Motorsports
for the finale. With a tough, armor-plated look, jackets by Ballistic
and Teknic and AGV helmets presented the protection today's female rider
demands. It was an appropriate conclusion to the hour-long show.
At her website, Speedybikegirls.com, Suzanne Fetting encourages women
to get the training and gear they need to ride safely, which she's done
since acquiring her license and her first bike, a Kawasaki EX 500, four
years ago. She also recommends women avoid taking lessons from their
boyfriends or husbands, as this tends to leave relationships smelling
like burnt rubber.
But not to worry. It seems fair to surmise that the charms of Feminine
Adrenaline-type apparel might help to ease whatever friction comes up.
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