Project81 Fashion

Neo Confi
Apr 13, 2017
2 min read

Sustainable Design - as creatives, we’ve been bombarded by this word for the past couple of years, but it is our responsibility to produce garments that consider their impact outside the sphere of aesthetics. In line with that, this should be the first of many features to appreciate fashion and design that puts the Earth and its people first.

You are probably thinking, this looks like a really dapper coat. That’s what you should think, because it is.

But also, it doubles as a bag.

But what makes it sustainable? That’s why we’re here, ain’t it! The jacket you’re admiring is composed primarily of the polypropylene(PP) byproducts from carpet manufacturers Belgotex.

The product is a result of the Project81 brief, an initiative by leading design institute Inscape, which has partnered with Belgotex since 2016 as a resource supplier. The students are asked with creating new designs, or refreshing old one, with the only limitation being that the final product be produced from Belgotex materials. The week-long project encourages unique thinking and sustainable design.

The jacket is the brainchild of six students, working under the team banner CARAT

Caption: From Left to Right: Joan Janda, Summer Stevens, Atlanta Lombard, Abigail Stebbing, Neo Moerane and Pholile Manonga

Woven from a byproduct called BCF Singles, the PP qualities of the yarn make the jacket flame retardant and water resistant. It’s also stronger than wool, allowing it to carry heavy objects in its backpack form.

It ticks all the sustainability boxes:

Aside from the Belgotex Material, the additional material to manufacture the jacket costs less than R150, an economically viable cost price;
The jacket was hand woven, so the techniques can be shared with rural communities as a means of transferring skills and creating income possibilities;
The weaving techniques can be altered for mass-production, so it’s fast-fashion that doesn’t hurt the earth

The key factor of the jacket is that it’s produced from repurposed material, but has a quality finish and gorgeous aesthetics.

The jacket is unisex and looks amazing on just about anyone. The neutral colour works with just about any outfit and skin tone, and looks good as street wear, casual wear and high fashion. Have a look at the gallery below.