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THE STORY OF ILEVE DISTRICT

It all started in a bar in Bern. Holding a beer in our hand. And the vision of the first #swissengineered and #swissmanufactured cycling glasses in our mind. Ever since, vision has become reality: The first sketches of the design were soon followed by the first 3D printed prototype. The cycling glasses have been continuously optimised and further developed. They have been tested and evaluated on countless rides. They are now approved by our test crew. They are now approved by Simon, Head of Design & Development, our biggest critic. They are now ready to hit the road!

THE SECRET MEANING OF ILEVE

Do you know the meaning of ILEVE? ILEVE means BICYCLE in an old secret language. The language was spoken in Bern, in the Matte district near the Aare river. The district used to be a working-class neighbourhood. Today, the Matte is a district of studios and creative agencies.
For us, ILEVE is not only a tribute to our home town, our heritage. It’s also a homage to cycling, our passion. And even more: It’s a metaphor for the hidden and the unseen. For all the apparently subtle things you don't notice when passing by unaware. It's about views that seem even more breathtaking when your legs are burning. Views that seem even more stunning when you have been carried all the way up to the top by your body – and your mind. It's about looking forward. And it’s about taking a look back. Reflecting for a short moment and perceiving the roads you’ve cycled so far. Appreciating the path you've come along.

«It’s about views that seem even more breathtaking when your legs are burning. Views that seem even more stunning when you have been carried all the way up to the top by your body – and your mind.»

It’s about respecting the nature we are cycling in. That’s why we produce locally. Our cycling eyewear is completely developed, designed and produced in Switzerland. Transparent production processes and fair working conditions are the basis of everything we do. We are committed to regional value creation by conviction: Local manufacturing shortens transport routes, saves resources and protects the environment for many rides to come.

GET TO KNOW THE FOUNDERS

Let's introduce Simon and Silvia to you. We talked to the founders of ILEVE DISTRICT and hat a chat about their passion for cycling.
YOUR FIRST LOVE?

Silvia, tell us more about your first love.

«It’s my LaPierre Xelius. I’m actually still cycling with my first road bike. I bought it 11 years ago when I moved to the Emmental Valley. A time where there was no #instacycling, no #cyclingpics. It was cycling at its purest: Just me, my bike and the stunning Emmental hills around me.»

FUN PART OF MY JOB?

Simon, that’s funny glasses you are wearing on the picture.

«Yeah, you like them, right? That’s a prototype. This glasses haven’t made it in our collection. But you know what? That’s the fun part about my job: designing some cool stuff – and being the only one who is going to wear it!»

YOUR FAVOURIT CYCLING SPOT?

Silvia, what’s your favourite cycling spot?

«In terms of other traffic participants, I love cycling in the Pyrenees. People driving by in their cars roll down the windows and cheer for you. You can feel their passion for cycling. In the Emmental Valley, people only roll down their windows to give you the finger.»

THE LOVE OF SPEED

Simon, we’ve heard that you conquer Swiss Alpine passes with a TT bike.

«That is correct. Among other things, I've ridden the Stelvio twice on my TT bike. It always fascinated me to experience the feeling and speed on a time trial bike. So after my career as a former canoe athlete, I started doing triathlon. Since running our startup, I decided to stop competing and just ride my bike for fun. I did the same when I moved to Thun in 2020 and discovered the beautiful surroundings, including the Grosse Scheidegg, on my TT bike.»

YOUR FIRST LOVE?

Silvia, tell us more about your first love.

«It’s my LaPierre Xelius. I’m actually still cycling with my first road bike. I bought it 11 years ago when I moved to the Emmental Valley. A time where there was no #instacycling, no #cyclingpics. It was cycling at its purest: Just me, my bike and the stunning Emmental hills around me.»

FUN PART OF MY JOB?

Simon, that’s funny glasses you are wearing on the picture.

«Yeah, you like them, right? That’s a prototype. This glasses haven’t made it in our collection. But you know what? That’s the fun part about my job: designing some cool stuff – and being the only one who is going to wear it!»

YOUR FAVOURIT CYCLING SPOT?

Silvia, what’s your favourite cycling spot?

«In terms of other traffic participants, I love cycling in the Pyrenees. People driving by in their cars roll down the windows and cheer for you. You can feel their passion for cycling. In the Emmental Valley, people only roll down their windows to give you the finger.»

THE LOVE OF SPEED

Simon, we’ve heard that you conquer Swiss Alpine passes with a TT bike.

«That is correct. Among other things, I've ridden the Stelvio twice on my TT bike. It always fascinated me to experience the feeling and speed on a time trial bike. So after my career as a former canoe slalom athlete, I started doing triathlon. Since running our startup, I decided to stop competing and just ride my bike for fun. I did the same when I moved to Thun in 2020 and discovered the beautiful surroundings, including the Grosse Scheidegg, on my TT bike.»

NEVER WITHOUT?

And you, Silvia, what should not be missing on your ride?

«An Appenzeller Bärli-Biber. I'm not me when I'm hungry.»

PRE-RIDE COFFEE OR AN AFTER-RIDE-BEER?

Simon, would you rather do without a pre-ride coffee or an after-ride beer?

«If I had to choose, I would definitely go for the Pre-Ride Coffee. There's not much I enjoy more than a freshly brewed barista coffee with a perfect crema.»

SANDBOX FRIENDS? NO, WE AREN’T.

Sandbox friends? No, we aren't. And no, our first designs were not scribbled on a pizza box either. That's how many founders' stories begin. But not ours. Our paths crossed rather by coincidence. On a rainy autumn day. The first conversation was followed by others. On these encounters our story is built. It's our attitude that unites us. Our understanding of honest value creation. Our concept of holistic entrepreneurship. And our demand for valuable products. Form follows function: the combination of design and function is the logical consequence of this conviction. It’s the basis of everything we do. It's the foundation of ILEVE DISTRICT.

«We take our inspiration from people like you. Just like you, we want to make a difference.»

We take our inspiration from people like you. For whom consumption is more an expression of their attitude than just a quick satisfaction of needs. For whom quality comes before quantity. Just like you, we want to make a difference. We want to move away from conventional raw materials to sustainable source materials. Away from linear, towards circular cycles. We are pursuing this path with great commitment. For you. For us. And for the environment we are cycling in.

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