Revolutionizing Outerwear with Stone
Vollebak, the experimental clothing brand, has taken a bold step by creating a unique jacket constructed from over 54,000 tiny slate tiles. Dubbed the Rock Jacket, this garment challenges traditional materials and builds on Vollebak’s history of using unconventional elements like graphene, copper, and Dyneema.
Crafted in a “sci-fi-style Harrington jacket” design, each tile measures five millimeters square and is meticulously attached to a neoprene base. Vollebak co-founder Nick Tidball describes slate as the most ambitious material in their line-up, highlighting its potential as a clothing material due to its global abundance.
For more on the artful use of stone in creative domains, explore April Graves’ natural stone artistry and see how natural materials can inspire architectural beauty.
Pioneering Material Breakthroughs with the Rock Jacket
“At Vollebak, we aim to create breakthroughs in clothing technology and materials,” says Tidball. “Using rock as a material presents a potential new frontier.” He emphasizes the ease with which other materials can be shaped once they conquer the stone challenge.
The Rock Jacket is a collaborative effort with French material technologist Steven Leprizé. It utilizes techniques perfected during the creation of the brand’s Wooden Jacket, made from American walnut. The precise laser cutting that enables the jacket’s flexibility is a critical aspect of its production.
Rethinking Longevity and Design
The brand’s aim is to challenge disposable fashion by using materials that took millions of years to form. Vollebak intends to adapt this concept into a commercially viable design projected for release in two years. The jacket pushes the boundaries of creativity and fabrication, presenting hurdles from sourcing to construction.
“With each stage, from bonding the material to assembling the jacket, we faced numerous challenges,” Tidball adds, reflecting on the intricate process taken to bring this vision to life using innovative materials.
The Future of Stone in Fashion
While stone finds renewed interest in architecture, as seen in the structural stone exoskeleton of a high-rise in London, its potential in fashion is still being explored. Vollebak’s Rock Jacket marks a pivotal step in reconsidering stone’s application in wearable form.
In another innovative transformation of materials, discover how recycled plastic tiles are utilized in stunning home designs, showcasing the versatility of unconventional resources.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rock Jacket made of?
The Rock Jacket is constructed from over 54,000 tiny slate tiles, each measuring five millimeters square, meticulously attached to a neoprene base.
Who collaborated with Vollebak to create the Rock Jacket?
The creation of the Rock Jacket is a collaborative effort with French material technologist Steven Leprizé.
Why does Vollebak use slate in their jacket?
Vollebak uses slate in their Rock Jacket because of its abundance and potential as a clothing material, emphasizing the brand’s aim to create breakthroughs in clothing technology and materials.