Vollebak introduces a prototype jacket that combines flexible timber with modern design, showcasing the challenges and possibilities of using natural materials in fashion.

Vollebak, a company known for its innovative approach to fashion, has recently unveiled a prototype for a wooden jacket that showcases a unique blend of natural materials and modern design. The jacket features a hood made from flexible timber arranged in intricate grids, giving it a striking resemblance to a tree trunk or a freshly varnished plank, depending on the viewer’s perspective.

The creation of the Wooden Jacket is not without its challenges. Vollebak acknowledges that transforming a tree into wearable clothing presents an “absurdly difficult technical challenge.” The design aims to explore the balance between innovation and the practical benefits that the material may provide. The concept has been compared to a training exercise from the film The Karate Kid, where a character practices an essential skill without an immediate opponent. This exemplifies Vollebak’s commitment to pushing boundaries in fashion technology.

The jacket features visible growth ring patterns throughout its surface, a reflection of the design team’s inspiration from natural wood. To enhance the aesthetic, the timber grids are arranged in a manner that avoids uniform lines, thereby capturing the organic beauty of wood grain. The jacket is equipped with two semi-hidden zippers positioned on the breast, designed to serve as additional pockets, complementing the two exterior pockets that are easily accessible.

To ensure mobility and comfort, the wooden slabs are embedded onto a fabric lining within the jacket, which allows it to bend and flex with the wearer’s movements. This design consideration aims to counter the rigidity typically associated with wooden materials, enabling a more wearable form.

Currently, Vollebak’s Wooden Jacket remains a prototype, with no official release date announced. The company has yet to divulge detailed technical specifications regarding the jacket’s production processes. However, Vollebak maintains that this prototype serves as a crucial step in addressing theoretical challenges in the integration of unconventional materials into functional clothing. The efforts reflect an ongoing exploration of what is possible within the realm of fashion and material science.

Source: Noah Wire Services