Chien Champion
The inspiration behind the artwork
The jersey has been developed in a slightly more conceptual approach to capture the spirit of freedom, adventure and bon vivant of cycling. At the front, three dogs run at full speed, chasing a tomato that’s on the back of the jersey; after the effort, the comfort.
For me, sport should be fun. The jersey was inspired by discussions with the Le Braquet team, a team of true enthusiasts and lovers of life. I’ve also watched hours of video of the Tour de France from the ’60s and ’70s. There was certainly a competitive spirit, but also a spirit of camaraderie and “play” between the cyclists and the public.
The main objective with this jersey was to combine fun, style and quality without taking ourselves too seriously. I also wanted the jersey to illustrate the social dimension of cycling outings: adventure, whether enjoyed alone or in a group, often ends with a good meal or simply a fresh tomato (I highly recommend it).
Colour, sunshine, life, freshness, fun with friends, it’s a winning combo for me.
CHIEN CHAMPION
Felipe Arriagada-Nunez, a.k.a. Chien Champion, is a Montreal visual artist whose colourful, dynamic universes transform the trivial into the magical. Originally from Mile-End, his original creations bear witness to an overflowing imagination nourished by popular culture, cinema, music, sports, back alleys and encounters.
In 2018, he initiated a series of collaborations with renowned musical artists such as FouKi, Clay and Friends, and LaF. Through these partnerships, his work becomes well known, propelling his notoriety in various fields, from television to sports, from fashion to music videos.
In 2021, Felipe illustrates his first children's book, Ceci n’est pas un livre sur les dinosaures, written by Mélina Schoenborn and published by La courte échelle. At the same time, Journal Métro highlights his unique work in a series of portraits celebrating 30 inspiring Montreal personalities.
His talent attracted international attention in 2023 when he collaborated with Nike on the launch of the Montreal Bagel Dunk shoe. He had the honour of illustrating the box accompanying this iconic sneaker, marking a significant moment in his artistic career and giving him worldwide visibility.
Despite this success abroad, one of Felipe's greatest satisfactions is to see his art colour the city he so cherishes, whether on a fleet of customized Bixis, a mural paying tribute to Cinéma Beaubien or CF Montréal in Saputo Stadium, or in a long corridor that warmly greets tourists at the Montreal airport.
