Cinelli Art Program: Yinka Ilori
‘Dream Together, You Can Still Win’: this unique collaboration with British-Nigerian multi-disclipinary artist and designer, Yinka Ilori MBE, promises to connect art, design, and cycling culture, reaffirming Cinelli’s commitment to cultural collaboration and community engagement.
“Bike culture has been an integral part of my childhood,” said Yinka Ilori, “shaping many of my experiences as an inner city kid in London. The bike itself symbolizes freedom - it’s a tool which allows you to venture, to escape, and to expand your horizons.”
Before the launch of the collaboration, we caught up with Yinka to chat about his vision on art, cycling and working with Cinelli.
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What drew you to collaborate with Cinelli, and what excited you most about working with a cycling brand?
The brand’s passion, iconic heritage, and warm sentiment immediately drew me in. It felt welcoming to collaborate with such lovely people. What excited me most was the prospect of seeing my artworks that are usually presented in a static way come alive in movement.
How did you approach blending your artistic language with Cinelli’s history of performance and design?
For me, it’s about releasing energy through my artwork. In the same way, athletes and performers channel energy through movement and sport. That shared energy flow was the bridge between my artistic language and Cinelli’s performance-driven history.
The capsule is called “Dream Together, You Can Still Win.” Can you explain the meaning behind this title and how it connects to cycling culture?
Cycling is often competitive, but at its heart, it is also deeply collaborative. The title is about honouring the collective spirit—journeying together on the long road, supporting one another, and winning not just races, but community, positivity, and shared energy.
Can you walk us through your creative process for this project — from first sketches to the final bike and apparel?
I was inspired by the gradients of the sunset and the radiant release of energy. For the bike, we focused on making the energy visibly flow through the design and movement. For the apparel, the ripple effect of the gradients became more central, symbolising how energy expands outward.
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What role did Cinelli’s archives and heritage play in shaping the visual direction of the collection?
Cinelli has a natural affinity for colour, play, and art. That openness to creativity across disciplines, without wearing blinkers, inspired me to experiment and build upon their vibrant heritage.
Your work often fuses storytelling with bold visuals. What story are you hoping to tell through this collaboration?
I want to inspire people to cherish the moments we have outside of our routines. Freedom, movement, and reflection recharge us and fuel what we do. This project is a reminder of the energy we gain from stepping outside and connecting with nature, with each other, and with ourselves.
How do you see the intersection of art, design, and sport — and where does cycling fit into that conversation?
Art, design, and sport are united by unpredictability and flow. None of them follow a fixed path; outcomes remain open and unknown. What excites me is trusting that process, adding what you can, letting things unfold, and allowing the journey itself to create meaning. Cycling embodies this beautifully.
What do you hope people feel when they ride the Cinelli Vigorelli you designed, or wear the capsule pieces?
Energy, and how important it is to protect yours.
How do you imagine projects like this shaping the future of collaborations between artists and performance brands?
By infusing collaborations with meaning and storytelling, grounded in strong sentiments that resonate with people’s realities. This way, the partnership goes beyond aesthetics and creates a deeper connection.
