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Major Taylor Association Jersey

   I designed 97% of this jersey for the Association to market. It has been extremely successful.    

   As Lynne Tolman of the Major Taylor Association and myself discussed ideas for this jersey, I was a bit hard pressed to come up with something she and myself both liked. I began to look through the Association's website for inspiration and saw an interesting announcement- " The next Major Taylor" When I bit and clicked in I found a picture of Rock & Republic racer Rahsaan Bahati standing in front of a brick wall with the poster of Major Taylor on the wall just over his shoulder. When I asked Lynn about the image she said, "Oh Yeah that is Rahsaan Bahati" I said, "No, the picture of Major Taylor on the wall over his shoulder. That is your new jersey" The chest and back were now done. I love the old world look of the parchment paper Tan color and asked the designer at Louis Garneau to add some shading to the background.

   What about the shoulders? I received an e-mail from Lynne regarding the dedication of a street in Worcester, MA to Major Taylor and thought that street sign would be a great commemorative point and would fit the sleeves perfectly. I added the Association's logo to that dead space on the rear of the sleeve (I used this first on the MTNYNJ women's jersey) and finished that off. I did ask about the significance of the heart on the street sign and know what it stands for. It's a good piece of trivia. Ask Lynne.   

  I  then put "The Worcester Whirlwind" in the shade of Deep Red that we use on our kits on the side panels. I made the side panels Black like our Winter jackets to frame everything in (Freddie Thomas' idea). The website address running across the three rear pockets (a brilliant design idea) and his world championship banner across the upper back were Lynne's ideas. 

   A great collaboration that I had lots of fun with. Over 350 sold in the US, Europe and West Indies. 

Rob Lara  

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