What do you do when you’re a business that needs to regularly transform your online storefronts to exhibit exclusive, small-batch seasonal apparel created with exclusive artist collaborations? In the case of British cycling lifestyle brand Kostüme the answer is to embrace BigCommerce’s headless technology which offers the flexibility to rebuild your website page quickly, easily, and as often as is required.
In very simplistic terms, headless technology uncouples the content from the software. BigCommerce offers the commerce layer and allows developers to choose the most appropriate platform (e.g. a content management system) for the user to create the content. The two then talk to each other via APIs enabling brands and retailers to quickly rebuild webpages and push them live without needing developers to recode entire pages.
The launch comes at a time of growth and transformation for cycling and art. In 2020, the UK reported the highest level of cycling on record, accelerating a trend of increasing diversity in the sport. With the cycling apparel industry projected to be worth $5.7 billion by 2025, Kostüme responds to both trends with exceptional content and modern technology that empowers artists to share their work in new mediums, whilst allowing a diverse new generation of riders to express themselves.
Kostüme was founded to disrupt the status quo in an industry that disproportionately focuses on hardcore technical racewear. By developing uniquely stylish, durable and highly functional products, our aim is to help a diverse new generation of cyclists to express themselves however they choose to ride. Achieving this ambition would not be possible without BigCommerce. Development often requires choosing between a cookie-cutter solution, or a large, expensive team. BigCommerce offers the best of both worlds, with the flexibility to create a truly bespoke experience without needing a large development team, and the scalability to support our growth. You can only build a brand once, and BigCommerce ensured that this vision was possible from day one.
– Ed Bartlett, founder and CEO, Kostüme
Each new Kostüme collection features unique artwork commissioned from world-class artists, with the apparel made entirely in Europe using premium recycled materials. Its first release, #Edit001, recently launched for pre-order and features a collaboration with multi-award-winning UK op art duo, Kai & Sunny. Known for their mesmeric, hand-painted line works, their style echoes the energy, colours and movement experienced while cycling.
Kostüme is an innovative British brand with a unique model that is changing the cycling apparel industry, something in which we’re extremely proud to play a part. BigCommerce helps companies achieve their vision for and at all stages of growth, offering the flexibility needed to create powerful and custom online storefronts. As a patron of the British Fashion Council, BigCommerce is passionate about the potential of ecommerce to drive the UK fashion industry forward and to help UK fashion retailers leverage the power of our Open SaaS solution to drive efficiency, agility and sales.
– Jim Herbert, senior vice president and general manager of EMEA, BigCommerce
