Paris—her city of residence for almost two decades—launched its wildly popular shared vélo program a whopping six years ago."Well, congratulations, New York City!" quipped Catherine Baba over the phone when we told her that the Big Apple had finally embraced Citi Bikes. Paris—her city of residence for almost two decades—launched its wildly popular shared vélo program a whopping six years ago.

As we're sure you've noticed while hopping between shows or browsing Tommy Ton's street-style snaps, cycling is the fashion set's favorite new mode of transport—but coordinating an outfit that's both front-row-worthy and ready to pedal across town is no easy task. Mme. Baba, however, has been doing just that for eighteen years—no doubt you've seen her, riding through the Tuileries in piles of jewelry, skyscraper heels, her signature turban, and, depending on the season, a kimono or a fur coat. (We have to note that she pulls her eccentric ensembles off with an astonishing level of aplomb.) "I get approached in different cities around the world by people who ask me if I'm the lady who rides the bicycle around Paris," offered Baba, who, with her dramatic hand gestures and injections of français, is as Parisienne as they come—albeit by way of Sydney.

"I'm very impatient. I need to move, and waiting for le métro is not an option," Baba told us when asked why cycling is her preferred form of transit. "It's the best way to see the city. And it's also environmentally friendly—the more we can remember that, the better." Here, the singular styliste shares her acquired biking wisdom. Whether pedaling to the shows in Paris or just cruising over the Williamsburg Bridge, we'll be keeping Baba's tips in mind—even though some of her most fantastic suggestions may be mildly ill advised.
POST: 2024-11-24