Helmets are one of the most important pieces of equipment a serious driver or motorcyclist can buy. After all, they have to be designed to protect the most important, fragile part of a person’s body. They are absolute necessities for track driving or riding.
However, until recently, helmets were not exactly what you’d call stylish. Form definitely followed function, and with the exception of custom paint, no real thought was given to the aesthetics or overall feel of the piece.
Jérome Coste changed all that in 2007 when he started Ateliers Ruby. Ruby, which manufactures high-quality driving and motorcycle helmets, set out to marry razor-sharp design with incredible protection, and it’s definitely succeeded. The inner lining of the helmet isn’t neoprene or the usual foam, but beautifully colored and tooled leather. The emblem itself is highly polished and inlaid in chrome and enamel. Ruby’s paired with several major design and fashion houses over the last few years to bring jaw-dropping paint schemes to the helmets as well. Overall, the helmets bring a new standard of quality and style to a utilitarian product. You can even customize your helmet to fit your aesthetic.
Ateliers Ruby’s only outlet at the moment is a boutique in the middle of Paris, but for those of you outside of France, you can either find an authorized dealer or order a helmet online.
