Gigi Montrose - My Journey
30.10.2025
7 mins
Its been a long journey and a bold endeavour. I stepped so far outside my comfort zone that it has kept me terrified and compelled. I even have to see where the story goes. I had a revelation one evening at a “biker” clubhouse as I was dressed in my finest couture, sticking out like a sore thumb in a sea of black leather, distressed tee shirts and Converse Chucks. The overtly “badass” ambience was rivalled by my well-dressed confidence. Were they out of place in my world or was I out of place in theirs? As I was approached to be told I was in the wrong place, I said I wasn't, I was invited by “Gunner”. They looked at me, confused and intrigued, just as I was curious about them.
There was a shift at that moment, and if you blinked, it would be missed. Something lifted as though the universe was following me that night and said, “I'm going to give you a peek at opportunity and for you to follow it” then “BAM”, it shut. These men gathered around me and escorted me into the clubhouse and brought me into their world. I was seated on a bar stool and throughout the night, I was given micro-stories and insights about these leather-clad “bikers”. I received confessions of who they are and what they do, but most importantly, I heard their dreams. I left that night feeling full of honest emotions and kindness. It felt as though two worlds existed simultaneously, one over there and one over here. Yet they meshed together and morphed into their environment as a whole, and sometimes in little segments. It was like being in a lava lamp.
I said to my boyfriend at the time, “I’m going to design motorcycle apparel for women” Why I said that, I don't know. I had to; there was an unseen community of people not being properly showcased. I didn't see “bikers” that evening but men and women who had achieved and accomplished varying degrees of personal accolades, from building their first bike to writing their first novel to being the first to ride through treacherous terrain across the world. The stories and accomplishments continue to strike me in awe of their feats and humble me that there are more and more journeys out there that I can't even yet imagine. I felt the people I had met were in the noise and confusion of the “ bad-assery” proclaimed by the disenfranchised outlaws who established their genre of telling tales from World War II. That iconic image that meant something then was in need of a new story, only now the rebellion is subtle, informed and conscientious. I want to bring a new cultural meaning to this community.
I saw a story develop in front of my eyes, and how I could capture it to reveal the true essence of these men and women who have a passion for motorcycles. The industriousness and practicality of motorcyclists made me think about “what is it you really need? and can I get it on the bike? Is it compact, and does it have many purposes?” So I built Gigi Montrose on the cornerstones of Quality, Integrity, Classic designs and Innovation. I wanted useful, practical products that have longevity.
As a consumer, I hate to be “sold” something because it's cool or trendy. I was brought up on old-world European values. Buy good quality pieces that are made well and timeless. Its your interpretation and expression of yourself and how you create your style. You can equally be expressive like Nick Cave, Johnny Rotten or Vivienne Westwood. It's your choice to tell the story you want to tell that day. I just give you the artist's palette to create, and let's face it, there is a little rebellion and punk rock in all of us.
I use natural fibres like silk for my scarves, not because it's luxurious but because it's strong yet subtle. It keeps you cool in hot weather as well as warm in cool weather it's durable and compact. Organic 100% cotton teeshirts, GOTS and Oeko certified. The artwork I use on my products comes from “bikers” I have met or from people I met on my bike. They come from moments that give meaning to my story or to theirs. Their stories became a discreet narration of artwork implemented onto the scarves and t-shirts.
My motorcycle gear goes through rigorous testing for CE certification. I am a licensee of Dupont Kevlar, as it is tried and true in the motorcycle sector, and they are aligned with an authorized factory that is accredited to cut and sew motorcycle apparel as well as adhere to CE certification specs. They are experts in their field and inform me thoroughly so I can give you facts about our products to the best of my ability.
The designs of our jackets are infused with Kevlar with a modern fashion appeal. Primarily, because we are always apologising for being in our riding gear, which sometimes keeps people from wearing gear. Lastly, the testing. Many companies rely on the fabric mill assessment of CE-rated. Their products are generally not tested. Testing is very expensive, but I as a consumer, I want to know what I am investing in, and my products are tested and CE certified because of it.
If this made you think, and if you find a spark of judgment from any of this, my contribution to the story came from you. Just like that night that we were so seemingly different, yet we came together as amazing people with incredible stories and shared moments. I am just trying to capture those feeling and moments to share with you what I felt that night when I went to my first “biker” clubhouse.
Stay Discreet
Its been a long journey and a bold endeavour. I stepped so far outside my comfort zone that it has kept me terrified and compelled. I even have to see where the story goes. I had a revelation one evening at a “biker” clubhouse as I was dressed in my finest couture, sticking out like a sore thumb in a sea of black leather, distressed tee shirts and Converse Chucks. The overtly “badass” ambience was rivalled by my well-dressed confidence. Were they out of place in my world or was I out of place in theirs? As I was approached to be told I was in the wrong place, I said I wasn't, I was invited by “Gunner”. They looked at me, confused and intrigued, just as I was curious about them.
There was a shift at that moment, and if you blinked, it would be missed. Something lifted as though the universe was following me that night and said, “I'm going to give you a peek at opportunity and for you to follow it” then “BAM”, it shut. These men gathered around me and escorted me into the clubhouse and brought me into their world. I was seated on a bar stool and throughout the night, I was given micro-stories and insights about these leather-clad “bikers”. I received confessions of who they are and what they do, but most importantly, I heard their dreams. I left that night feeling full of honest emotions and kindness. It felt as though two worlds existed simultaneously, one over there and one over here. Yet they meshed together and morphed into their environment as a whole, and sometimes in little segments. It was like being in a lava lamp.
I said to my boyfriend at the time, “I’m going to design motorcycle apparel for women” Why I said that, I don't know. I had to; there was an unseen community of people not being properly showcased. I didn't see “bikers” that evening but men and women who had achieved and accomplished varying degrees of personal accolades, from building their first bike to writing their first novel to being the first to ride through treacherous terrain across the world. The stories and accomplishments continue to strike me in awe of their feats and humble me that there are more and more journeys out there that I can't even yet imagine. I felt the people I had met were in the noise and confusion of the “ bad-assery” proclaimed by the disenfranchised outlaws who established their genre of telling tales from World War II. That iconic image that meant something then was in need of a new story, only now the rebellion is subtle, informed and conscientious. I want to bring a new cultural meaning to this community.
I saw a story develop in front of my eyes, and how I could capture it to reveal the true essence of these men and women who have a passion for motorcycles. The industriousness and practicality of motorcyclists made me think about “what is it you really need? and can I get it on the bike? Is it compact, and does it have many purposes?” So I built Gigi Montrose on the cornerstones of Quality, Integrity, Classic designs and Innovation. I wanted useful, practical products that have longevity.
As a consumer, I hate to be “sold” something because it's cool or trendy. I was brought up on old-world European values. Buy good quality pieces that are made well and timeless. Its your interpretation and expression of yourself and how you create your style. You can equally be expressive like Nick Cave, Johnny Rotten or Vivienne Westwood. It's your choice to tell the story you want to tell that day. I just give you the artist's palette to create, and let's face it, there is a little rebellion and punk rock in all of us.
I use natural fibres like silk for my scarves, not because it's luxurious but because it's strong yet subtle. It keeps you cool in hot weather as well as warm in cool weather it's durable and compact. Organic 100% cotton teeshirts, GOTS and Oeko certified. The artwork I use on my products comes from “bikers” I have met or from people I met on my bike. They come from moments that give meaning to my story or to theirs. Their stories became a discreet narration of artwork implemented onto the scarves and t-shirts.
My motorcycle gear goes through rigorous testing for CE certification. I am a licensee of Dupont Kevlar, as it is tried and true in the motorcycle sector, and they are aligned with an authorized factory that is accredited to cut and sew motorcycle apparel as well as adhere to CE certification specs. They are experts in their field and inform me thoroughly so I can give you facts about our products to the best of my ability.
The designs of our jackets are infused with Kevlar with a modern fashion appeal. Primarily, because we are always apologising for being in our riding gear, which sometimes keeps people from wearing gear. Lastly, the testing. Many companies rely on the fabric mill assessment of CE-rated. Their products are generally not tested. Testing is very expensive, but I as a consumer, I want to know what I am investing in, and my products are tested and CE certified because of it.
If this made you think, and if you find a spark of judgment from any of this, my contribution to the story came from you. Just like that night that we were so seemingly different, yet we came together as amazing people with incredible stories and shared moments. I am just trying to capture those feeling and moments to share with you what I felt that night when I went to my first “biker” clubhouse.
Stay Discreet