Chemical-Protective Material Shapes Limited-Edition Jacket
Experimental clothing brand Vollebak has created a limited-edition trench coat from a material originally developed for chemical protection suits. Named the For When All Hell Breaks Loose Jacket, the garment explores how an industrial barrier textile can be adapted for fashion while retaining its protective qualities.
The jacket forms part of a fictional, apocalyptic narrative devised by the brand. References to alien invasions, toxic rain and other imagined disasters provide the creative setting. Beneath this playful concept, however, the design demonstrates the potential of specialist technical materials beyond their conventional applications.
Double-Sided Rubber Coating
The yellow fabric consists of 82% polychloroprene and 18% polyester. A woven polyester core provides the textile structure, while polychloroprene rubber coats both surfaces. Also known as neoprene, polychloroprene can offer resistance to water, chemicals, weathering and abrasion, depending on its formulation and construction.
British manufacturer Fothergill supplied the material. According to Vollebak, the company has produced materials for the British military since the Boer War. Its use in the jacket connects a long history of protective textile production with contemporary experimental fashion.
Designed For Movement And Protection
Vollebak cut the garment as a regular-fit trench coat and constructed it in Portugal. Raglan sleeves support freedom of movement, while a single rear vent makes walking and running easier. A two-piece collar can be turned upwards to provide more coverage around the neck.
The centre-front closure uses concealed miniature press studs. Two zipped hand pockets offer secure storage, and internal binding covers all seams. These details give the jacket a clean exterior while complementing the barrier-like character of the coated fabric.
The polychloroprene surfaces also determine how the garment must be maintained. It cannot be machine washed, bleached or dry-cleaned. Instead, the wearer should wipe the material clean. This may reduce routine water use, although the synthetic material composition and specialist construction could present challenges for recycling at the end of the jacket’s life.
Only ten examples initially existed, with further jackets available for pre-order and delivery scheduled for September 2026. Each garment comes with dedicated packaging and an instructional comic that continues the fictional storyline.
Source & photos: Vollebak