Gold Edition Full Metal Jacket: 11 Kilometres of Copper Reimagined as Wearable Technology
The Gold Edition of Vollebak’s Full Metal Jacket presents a radical exploration of material innovation in fashion design. Constructed from 11 kilometres of fine copper thread, this high-performance jacket is not only a visual statement but also a technical achievement, showcasing the potential of metal-infused textiles for protective and experimental garments.
Originally introduced in 2020, the Full Metal Jacket was designed to explore the potential of copper—a metal renowned for its antibacterial, antiviral, and conductive properties. Now reimagined in a gold-coloured edition, the garment maintains its core technical qualities while embracing a new aesthetic that bridges ancient opulence and futuristic utility.
Materiality and Performance
The jacket’s fabric is a triple-layered composite, engineered in Switzerland by Schoeller. It consists of 65.8% copper, 20% polyurethane, 10.5% polyamide, and 3.7% other metals, including, presumably, gold, bonded with a so-called ‘C-Change’ membrane that adjusts breathability in response to temperature changes. The result is a highly waterproof, windproof and breathable material, offering advanced climate adaptability.
Weighing approximately 1400 grams, the Gold Edition jacket features a range of technical elements designed for extreme performance. All seams are fully sealed for waterproofing, and the garment includes multiple storage options such as two zipped chest pockets, two large front bellows pockets with storm flaps, and a zipped internal pocket. The zippers and snaps are water-resistant and include details by Riri for enhanced durability.
The jacket’s collar is high and fleece-lined for added comfort, while the storm flaps are also fleece-trimmed to improve insulation. Elasticated cord adjusters are integrated at the hem and around the hood to provide an adjustable fit. A heavy-duty front zipper made from four-way metal and adjustable cuffs with metal snaps complete the technical construction. The interior is finished with wipe-clean materials for practicality.
A Design Language Rooted in Science Fiction and Sustainability
Vollebak likens the garment to “a spacesuit for settling Mars,” with its shimmering metallic surface and sculptural form that appears digitally rendered even in real life. The aesthetic experience of copper—with its sheen, texture and stiffness—evokes a blend of ancient artifact and post-apocalyptic survival gear.
More than just a design experiment, this jacket offers insights for fashion and product designers working on wearables that integrate metal-based smart textiles, clothing for antimicrobial or antiviral protection in healthcare or urban environments, and outdoor apparel that prioritises durability, performance and circularity.
Copper is not only recyclable but also naturally self-sterilising, offering potential applications in garments for high-risk, medical or travel contexts. The Full Metal Jacket thus reflects a broader movement toward functional fashion with sustainable and experimental materials at its core.
Conceptual and Commercial Impact
Though the jacket is produced in extremely limited quantities, its conceptual framework sets a precedent for future explorations in technical fashion. The Gold Edition is available via pre-order, underscoring its exclusivity and collectible appeal.
By turning industrial-grade metal into a wearable second skin, Vollebak challenges conventional ideas about what clothing can do—and what it can be made from.
Earlier, Vollebak created a stainless steel version, which you can read more about here.
Source: Vollebak
Images: Vollebak