Students at the Royal College of Art in London recently designed a multi-purpose garment that can transform into a tent for refugees when necessary. As the Syrian refugee crisis continues to persist, many people are working on innovative ways to deal with providing basic necessities such as shelter.
The wearable dwelling was created by 10 master's students who worked with the clothing company 'Wall.' The collaborative effort resulted in a three-quarter length coat that can be reconfigured to form a sleeping bag or a tent large enough for an adult and a child. The garment itself is made from 'Tyvek,' which is an extremely durable yet lightweight fabric. The material is also rain-repellent and permeable to air and water, making it ideal for combating the outdoor elements.
As thousands of refugees continue to flee their homes, the wearable dwelling provides an efficient form of temporary shelter.
Lightweight Wearable Dwellings
This Multipurpose Garment Transforms into a Tent for Refugees
Trend Themes
1. Multi-purpose Wearables - The rise of multipurpose wearables creates opportunities to combine fashion with environmental or social needs, such as refugee shelter or disaster relief.
2. Hybrid Materials - Use of hybrid materials for wearables or other applications allows for advanced functionality in extreme environmental conditions.
3. Sustainable Wearables - Designes can put emphasis on sustainable materials in wearables as a way to solve environmental issues.
Industry Implications
1. Textile Industry - Using innovative materials such as Tyvek in textiles could present unique product design opportunities for various industries particularly in humanitarian aid.
2. Outdoor Industry - The outdoor industry can use the concept of wearable dwelling to explore the intersection of fashion and function in product design.
3. Humanitarian Aid - The humanitarian aid industry can consider multipurpose wearables as a solution for disaster relief or refugee shelter problems.