Introducing the Vollebak Slate Jacket: A Feat of Wearable Geology
In an audacious fusion of geology and fashion, Vollebak has unveiled this unique Harrington-style jacket meticulously constructed from approximately 54,000 slate tiles. Each of these tiles measures 0.2 inches square and is 0.02 inches thick, bonded to a neoprene backing. This ambitious creation springs from the inventive mind of French material technologist Steven Leprizé, known for his WooWood elastic marquetry technique.
The slate used in this project is sourced for its natural properties, allowing thin sheets to be crafted from larger slabs. The tiles are cut using a custom-built 11.5-foot cutting machine, designed to overcome the challenges of working with metamorphic rock. A UK-sourced neoprene, typically associated with fetishwear, and an adhesive concocted with the help of 3M engineers complete the construction, making the garment a true testament to innovative manufacturing.
From Wood to Rock: The Evolution of the Vollebak Slate Jacket Concept
The developmental journey began with Vollebak’s wooden jacket prototype, crafted from 250,000 laser-cut pieces of American walnut. Seeking a more wearable variant, Vollebak approached Leprizé, who was eager to present a slate alternative using his expertise. This collaboration harmoniously merged his background, honed between a family sawmill and Paris’s École Boulle, with Vollebak’s avant-garde vision in fashion design.
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A Pixelated Masterpiece
Vollebak likens the jacket’s surface to a pixelated texture, where light plays across its angular form. The tiles, which lift and overlap like woven leather as the wearer moves, evoke comparisons to Bottega Veneta’s iconic intrecciato design. Given the impracticality of stitching slate, the jacket features taped seams that define its graphic lines, including diamond-shaped pockets and shoulder panels—a testament to creative problem-solving.
The design eschews tight fits, favoring a cropped, boxy silhouette granting freedom to the stony material’s natural rigidity. Vollebak’s previous creations, like their Indestructible Jacket and stainless steel blazer, set the stage for this ambitious garment. The stone jacket, however, surpasses them all in both price and conceptual daring.
Future Endeavors in Luxury Clothing
Although this $50,000 piece remains an impractical luxury, plans for a more accessible commercial version are already underway, anticipated in two years. Meanwhile, co-founder Nick Tidball’s reflection on the ease that follows crafting a rock jacket underscores their ambitious ethos. Leprizé is set to push the boundaries further, exploring new possibilities with granite, marble, sandstone, and schist, sparking anticipation for the next evolution in rockwear.
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Source: yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
What materials are used in the Vollebak Slate Jacket?
The Vollebak Slate Jacket is constructed from approximately 54,000 slate tiles bonded to a neoprene backing. An adhesive concocted with the help of 3M engineers completes the construction.
Who is behind the design of the Vollebak Slate Jacket?
The jacket is designed by French material technologist Steven Leprizé, known for his WooWood elastic marquetry technique.
What is planned for the future of Vollebak’s rockwear?
Plans for a more accessible commercial version of the jacket are underway, anticipated in two years. There is also anticipation for new possibilities with granite, marble, sandstone, and schist.