Wiebe, photographer and friend extraordinaire.
“IF I WANT TO COME AND TAKE PHOTOS FOR A SPORTSWEAR BRAND IN GERMANY DURING LATE SUMMER? OF COURSE, I DIDN’T HAVE TO THINK TWICE ABOUT THAT. ALEXANDRA IANCULESCU IS IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A SPORTSWEAR BRAND: NINETYONE COLLECTIVE. AND I GET TO SUPPORT HER THROUGH MY PHOTOGRAPHY!”
It’s early September when I arrive at Salzburg Airport after a 90-minute flight. I’m here to take photos for Alexandra Ianculescu, a former Olympic speed skater. Just because she has retired from skating, does not mean she’s less ambitious. She’s now training to qualify as a track cyclist for the Summer Olympics. Whilst I’m there, Alexandra is participating in a cycling race in Salzburg—an excellent opportunity to capture some stunning photos. Alexandra, often called “Alex,” rides for Team NWVG, a team she’ll also be designing apparel for the following year.
The cycling criterium in Salzburg took place right in the middle of the city. It was a beautiful location for cycling and an even better one for photography. The race itself was thrilling—laps through the historic city center, breakaways from the peloton, and the sound of rattling camera shutters!
In addition to these race photos, the first samples of the NinetyOne Collective cycling apparel had just arrived, which we also planned to feature in some great shots. In the evening of the day, we headed to the mountains near the German village of Ruhpolding. There, we explored various locations and captured a range of looks. NinetyOne Collective’s vision, “Be your own pro,” was the driving force behind these images. To bring this vision to life, Alexandra uses professional-grade gear, and her apparel line is manufactured in the same factory as one of the world’s top professional cycling teams.
The evening was perfect for a shoot of this caliber—a quintessential late-summer evening. The bike had been cleaned, and the clothing was fresh off the press. The vibrant colors and beautiful patterns blended seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. With brand-new white shoes and pristine white socks, every unwritten rule of cycling fashion was impeccably followed.
-Wiebe
