As a final design project, entitled “We are on the edge”, Marie-Elsa Batteux Flahault created this Multi-Purpose jacket after some inspiration from the Preppers movement.
This project is a projection in a dystopian world where prepping becomes trendy and gets integrated in the design DNA of everyday life products. The jacket serves as an illustration of this prediction; a fashionable outfit suitable for everyday use but which also possess the features needed during a doomsday scenario.
“Be a Prepper under cover…”
We are on the edge from Marie-Elsa Batteux on Vimeo.
This whole camo thing, I still think straight Caoyote Brown or a dark Gray is best for just everything. The clothes you wear will match the environment you’re in when they get dirty with the sand, dirt or waste that’s around, and create a natural camo~
He packed a lot of features into a small form. Pretty cool.
Not many people know of Marie but she is a highly regarded young artist and designer. A graduate from the Ecole Boulle in Paris.
That’s a nice look and characteristic of her man form art.
Some interesting ideas there – but several of them are definitely more “artistic” than practical.
As an absolutely awesome all-round “prepper” type ensemble, I’ve also thought that the old Swiss M62 / M70 Combat Dress would be a real winner – especially with the integrated backpack. http://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/swiss-super-field-jacket-m70-alpenflage-used/8249
Somebody needs to do a remake of these bad boys using modern fabrics and materials and camo patterns….
http://theswissriflesdotcommessageboard.yuku.com/topic/2702/t/Combat-Dress-70-or-Alpenflage-Vierfruchtpyama-Liebermuster.html#.UnaqSxD4Jcn
You ever try one of those backpack coats? I can’t think of a single nice thing to say about them.
Yes, I have actually. I found it quite functional and handy as a hiking or shooting jacket. The biggest drawback though is the weight of the fabric, and the fact that it soaked up water like a sponge if was the weather was least bit wet.
I do think that an updated version made with modern, lighter-weight materials could be quite a neat idea.
A Project for Slangvel?
I’m always wondering, why “being prepper” always mean “to carry everything in your pockets”? That’s just stupid, because any long jacket or pants (even equipped with suspending and tying straps) stuffed with heavy things turns into a hybrid of straitjacket and cilice, more suitable for religious self-mortification than for survival tasks.
Transforming hood? OK
Built-in signal patches? OK
Handwarmer pockets or pockets for oversize (but not so bulky) stuff? OK
Backpack replacement sewn right to your ass? No, thanks. There are any kinds of load-bearing gear that could be worn over or under the jacket without side effects.
The back pocket is interesting, and somewhat reminiscent of the updated WWII “10th Mountain” Mountain Parka and Side-Zip Anorak, both offered by the now-defunct Willis & Geiger.
The text of the 1998 catalog reads: “based on the ones we made for the famous 10th Mountain Division..”, and “”In the rear, you’ll find one huge pocket that take sup the entire back and is accessed from either side. You can use it for sweaters, food, even a sleeping bag bag, as did the men of the 10th. the zippers to this storage compartment fall inline with the pleats that make up our bi-swing back, which expands to give you a little extra jacket when you’re mounting your rifle or climbing you way to Austria.”
The jacket is particularly interesting: “Because mountain weather can change so quickly, we kept another carryover from the parkas that took Mount Belvedere. Built-in internal shoulder straps all you to slip out of your jacket and and carry it like a pack, leaving your hands free..”
These concepts make huge sense, espectially in a light, ski-mobile context.
I wish I had placed an order before this historic firm was shut down by new ownership (Lands’ End / Sears).