The annual New York City Marathon takes place on the first Sunday of November, and this year marks its 55th edition, drawing over 50,000 runners from around 150 countries to the streets. To celebrate this iconic event, the running brand Bandit has launched a limited pop-up experience store in SoHo, along with a capsule collection named Run City, inspired by urban night runs, exploring the ultimate mindset of runners during their marathon training.
Run City focuses on the mindset and persistence required for preparing for a marathon. Bandit likens this to a Dystopian World—runners abandon their regular lives, leaving only three essential elements: diet, rest, and training. Through long-term dedication, they validate the meaning of their efforts. Therefore, the Pop-Up store is not just a retail space; it's a vibrant hub that blends design, culture, and experience, highlighting the depth of running as a lifestyle.
This limited-edition capsule collection features 19 standout pieces that perfectly blend functionality with cutting-edge design. It includes running tops, leggings, jackets, and various accessories, all crafted from breathable, quick-dry, and stretchy technical fabrics. These pieces are ideal for navigating the unpredictable city climate and meeting the needs of night-time runners. The overall design draws inspiration from urban landscapes and the vibrancy of nighttime, reimagining New York through the eyes of a runner, and subtly echoing elements of photography and installation art.
In terms of design details, the patterns adopt a layout influenced by monitored grids, motion blur, and CCTV lens perspectives, conveying a sense of solitude that feels observed yet undisturbed. The color palette primarily revolves around Asphalt Blacks and Steely Greys, accented with vibrant pops of red, simulating the visual effect of city streetlights piercing through night fog, infusing a sense of tension amid tranquility. The typography is also uniquely crafted, featuring bold designs with a distressed texture, further emphasizing the urban vibe and rugged aesthetic of the collection.
The Bandit collection is exclusively available during the SoHo Pop-Up event, located at 489 Broome St, with the shop open until November 3rd. As these products are not available through any other channels, it’s expected to draw in a crowd of running enthusiasts and design culture lovers, adding a rich layer of culture and visuals to the New York City Marathon.
