Adjustable Jacket/Dress by Sam McLaughlin

Protection from the elements was the initial theme of my project. Combining my interest in sportswear with the dutch design group Droog made me start to think about ulitity clothing which is practical but may be totally reclycled from another product - which is often done by Droog. The umbrella is a design classic which is both historical and iconic. Through posters placed around Brighton I appealed to the public to donate old, broken or abandoned umbrellas. I started thinking about how each umbrella told a story and how ultimately it protected its user from the elements. My favourite umbrella was a large black businessmans umbrella that had been left at Brighton train station. Its black fabric had been permanently bleached in its folds by the sun. I used this fabric as a feature of a womenswear zip-through jacket/dress. I carved the handle into toggles and used the securing cord as adjustable button down sections that can create a more fitted look. Save an umbrella make a coat!

20060820-4990-9986