Adaptive Garment ‘Shield’ Combines Sustainable Materials with Extreme Climate Functionality
Shield is a multifunctional protective garment developed by design agency LAYER in collaboration with fashion brand RÆBURN. Designed in response to increasing climate unpredictability, the garment demonstrates how sustainable materials and innovative design can merge to create a versatile solution for diverse environmental conditions. With a focus on adaptability, circularity, and human-centred functionality, Shield addresses the needs of individuals navigating both extreme heat and cold.
Reclaimed Materials with Technical Performance
The garment is constructed entirely from reclaimed and recycled materials. These include deadstock parachute nylon, military surplus airbrake parachutes, reclaimed down, and recycled wadding. By repurposing high-performance textiles that would otherwise go to waste, Shield minimises environmental impact while retaining durability and technical performance. This material strategy reflects a strong commitment to circular design, extending the lifecycle of resources and celebrating the narrative of reused materials.
Climate Adaptability through Transformative Functionality
Functionality is central to Shield’s concept. In cold weather, the garment transforms into an insulated outer layer with an oversized, adjustable silhouette. Its strategic baffling helps regulate body warmth, while an exaggerated hood provides protection against wind and rain. The design also includes a compression bag system for compact storage and ease of transport. In hot climates, Shield can be worn as a lightweight, ventilated mid-layer, incorporating discreet venting and a water-based cooling system to maintain thermal comfort. Further enhancing its versatility, the outer shell can be reconfigured into a modular shelter. With secure fixings that allow multiple garments to be joined, this feature offers temporary protection from the elements and reinforces a community-driven approach to design.
A Cross-Disciplinary Source of Inspiration
Shield serves as an example of how fashion and product design can respond to environmental challenges through innovation. Its hybrid nature—part garment, part gear, and part architectural element—offers insights for designers across disciplines, including fashion, product design, and interior or spatial design. The use of soft, deployable structures and the integration of recycled textiles may also be of interest to those working in packaging or architectural applications where mobility, protection, and material circularity intersect.
Sustainable Innovation for the Future
By combining sustainable craftsmanship with technical ingenuity, Shield exemplifies a new direction for climate-resilient design. According to Benjamin Hubert, founder of LAYER, the garment represents human adaptability in the face of environmental instability, offering protection, empowerment, and endurance through thoughtful material choices and multifunctional performance.
Source: LAYER
Photos: LAYER