Exhibition premiere at Salon du 2 Reus, Lyon - FRA 2025.

Inside the mind of the designer.

ALDO DRUDI

THE STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCES OF URBAN COMMUTING BEGAN IN 2000, DURING THE MEETINGS BETWEEN NICOLA DALLA GRANA, PRESIDENT OF SPIDI, AND ALDO DRUDI, THE ECLECTIC DESIGNER WHO REPRESENTS THE JUNCTION BETWEEN MOTORCYCLE PERFORMANCE AND CONTEMPORARY STYLE CULTURE.

WINNER OF TWO COMPASSO D’ORO, HE ACTIVELY COLLABORATES WITH THE BEST MOTOGP TEAMS AND ICONIC FASHION BRANDS SUCH AS SUPREME AND NIKE, COMBINING TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, GREAT ABILITY TO PERCEIVE FUNCTIONAL NEEDS AND AN IMMENSE PASSION FOR SPEED.

Aldo Drudi - DESIGNER.

What does designing a motorcycle jacket mean to
an enthusiast like you?

Designing a motorcycle jacket means bringing together all the experience acquired over many years of design applied to motorcycles, whether for competition, everyday use or tourism. The goal is to always improve the product, drawing on the skills of those who, with me, create the collections: the modelers and the companies that trust me. What is just as essential is the experience accumulated over the years in this field.

Urban mobility is inspired by aesthetic codes that are very different from those of competition; how do these two cultures come together?

Urban mobility follows aesthetic codes that are different from those of competition, but there is a range of colors, details and technical solutions specific to clothing for everyday use, both for commuters and for motorcycle tourism enthusiasts. These two cultures come together thanks to the experimentation of technical solutions in competition, which we then find applied in series production. This is how it happens in the automotive and motorcycle industries: the solutions developed for racing motorcycles are almost always transferred to production motorcycles.

The first SCU model, the iconic Motocombat, the Beta series, different styles but always successful: what is the common thread?

The common thread between the SCU, the Motocombat and the Beta range is the search for style. These garments must be able to be worn in the city without any discomfort, maintaining a stylistic sobriety with very few applications of the SPIDI logo, and always presented in an elegant way. These pieces are distinguished by advanced
technical and functional solutions for riding in an urban environment, while having a sophisticated look close to haute couture. The finishes of these products are remarkable. It should also be noted that over the years, the world of fashion has also been inspired by these garments, copying at least conceptually some of their details.

Motocombat Wax, 2013.

Motorcycle clothing is increasingly a source of inspiration for major luxury brands. Is this a sustainable trend for the future?

The trend is sustainable. The technical solutions we apply to create clothing for two-wheeled users, whether for competition or everyday use, are full of technical details. Major fashion brands are increasingly looking for technical solutions and features to improve their clothing, especially in the so-called “sporty”, less formal or glamorous lines. Paradoxically, this less glamorous style has become glamorous: in the last two or three years, the more aggressive look of the clothing we have been designing for years for drivers, teams or racing enthusiasts has become a source of inspiration. Patches, inscriptions and bold colour combinations are literally copied or reinterpreted by fashion designers. This is a great advantage for us: our technical know-how and expertise in creating functional clothing are easily transferable to fashion. This is a trend that is clear and in my opinion sustainable for years to come. I think that this collaboration between technical clothing and haute couture will become stronger and stronger, because fashion clothing will necessarily have to integrate technical solutions in the future.

Beta Evo Primaloft, 2020.

Bring vision to life.

PIETRO ZANETTI.

THE AWARENESS OF PLAYING A DECISIVE ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ASSUMED AND MATURE MOBILITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE REAL DRIVING FORCE OF INNOVATION FOR THE SPIDI DEVELOPMENT TEAM, LED FOR MANY YEARS BY PIETRO ZANETTI. WITH A TRAINING IN TECHNICAL MECHANICS AND A PASSIONATE LOVE FOR TWO WHEELS AND RESEARCH, PIETRO ZANETTI HAS BECOME A REFERENCE IN THE INDUSTRY OVER TIME THANKS TO HIS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROCESSES AND METHODS IN THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF THE MOST TECHNICAL AND INNOVATIVE GARMENTS EVER. IT IS TO HIM THAT WE OWE THE FOUNDATION OF THE SAFETY LAB, THE R&D DEPARTMENT OF SPIDI.

Pietro Zanetti - EXPERT IN R&D.

Pietro Zanetti, how much effort does it take to create a motorcycle jacket?

It all begins with the word "Project": taking the experience gained over time and projecting it into the future. The bulk of the work is created at the start. A framework is developed that includes the best results achieved, continuous durability tests, the most advanced individual protection systems, the intended use, and the aspiration to create a cutting-edge product. The passion invested in this journey transforms commitment into a natural consequence.

From the first leather jackets to minimalist and protective trench coats: has only the garment changed, or are we witnessing a true generational shift? Who is the commuter today?

More than a shift, it is a continuous development and improvement. The most significant advancements concern materials and safety, kinematics, and ergonomics. In our sector, we don’t talk so much about fashion as we do about style: this allows you to wear a SPIDI garment from 20 years ago and still feel contemporary. Adapting to change is essential. Today, in addition to dressing the classic commuter, we cater to the Executive category with hi-tech solutions and the new youth category—those who move in urban environments and need comfortable, outdoor-style clothing. But most importantly, the SPIDI spirit remains intact: garments for riding and post-ride use.

You’ve always collaborated on projects with engineers, academics, testers, and doctors: whose input is the most inspiring?

The most inspiring input comes from those who live on the street, from the requests and insights of those deeply involved in the product's development. By setting clear goals for top professionals in academic, medical, and engineering fields, innovative projects come to life. The entire process is subjected to rigorous testing, filtered through a fine-mesh sieve.

Beta evo Superlight, 2023.

The "Commuting Dynamics" studies have led to innovations like external seam sealing tapes, detachable pockets, and anti-pollution sensors that either had short life spans or never came to fruition: how far should one go to innovate?

Innovation is vital and necessary. Every innovation must contribute to a substantial improvement for the benefit of the consumer, enhancing their experience. "Multimodal" represents the new frontier—a word full of new horizons. Pushing the boundaries of innovation will never have limits.

Mission Beta, 2019.

Motorcycle Commuting Studies, 1977 - Today.

Decades of research & innovation, defining the future of the urban motorcycle jacket.

"MOTORCYCLE COMMUTING STUDIES, 1977 – TODAY." debuted in Lyon at Salon du 2 Roues. A showcase of innovation in urban motorcycle gear. The journey doesn’t stop here—next destination coming soon.