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June 09. 2012 11:21PM

Biker chic for 'real' women hits the road


A model sports a black T-shirt from the Hotwood line of biker-themed clothing, backed by a detail of the shirt's decoration. (Courtesy)

Nashua’s Nicole Kimmick is the driving force behind the Hotwood biker-apparel company she started with her boyfriend, Paul Marcotte of New Boston. (COURTESY)
NASHUA — A local woman has added her own spin to the concept of “biker chic” with a new clothing line she designed for female riders of every shape and size.

Frustrated by the lack of quality and comfortable clothing for women bikers, Nicole Kimmick decided to take matters into her own hands and combine her love of fashion with her love of the road.

“Right now, there is not a lot of variety of clothes available for women riders, especially bigger-size women who want to feel stylish and chic,” said Kimmick, 38, of Nashua.

Last summer, Kimmick started a new business venture with her boyfriend, Paul Marcotte, 45, of New Boston, called Hotwood LLC. Together, the couple searched high and low to find clothing that doesn't shrink, doesn't lose its shape and stays true to its size.

“I wanted a size-large tank to really fit like a large shirt,” Kimmick said. Her niche, she added, comes from offering different cuts, styles and sizes. “Because real women come in different sizes, we believe the shirts they rock should, too.”

The result is a clothing line of about 20 different designs of women's tanks, T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts, in addition to men's tanks and T-shirts. The entire line is produced in Vermont.

Hotwood is launching its first clothing line this week, Laconia Motorcycle Week, introducing its merchandise to New Hampshire residents first.

Kimmick and Marcotte, both motorcycle enthusiasts, say they are proud to be launching their clothes at a New Hampshire rally that attracts passionate residents and visiting riders.

The Hotwood clothing line features a logo design that brings traditional biker apparel to life, said Kimmick, explaining that it crosses traditional boundaries by emphasizing lifestyle-oriented fashion as well as biker themes.

If the line has the appeal she thinks it will, Kimmick said, she'll expand it to include accessories and head-wear, with the potential for other clothing merchandise as demand dictates.

“Who knows where this will go? But we had to start off somewhere, and we are hoping this will take off,” she said. “I think we found the right idea, and we are launching this at the right time.”

The shirts range in price from $25 to $35 depending on the style.

In addition to their availability at Laconia Motorcycle Week and other motorcycle rallies across the country, Hotwood products also are available online at www.hotwoodonline.com.

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Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.

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