AUT student Kimberly Waihou won gold in the Product category for her Waihou Jacket in the NZ Best Design Awards. Her winning garment could be described as the new swanndri and was constructed from a three-layer bonded 5000mm weatherproof rated Hyydrotex.
“New Zealand has a rich history of clothing that represent its agricultural heritage, the iconic Swanndri and oilskin jackets being notable amongst these. However, the 21st century farm is a professional environment, with scientific, technological, commercial and lifestyle shifts giving rise to a new breed of farmer – one who is equally conversant with bank managers as they are with farm hands; equally as proficient on a smart phone as they are on a farm bike,” explained Waihou.
The Waihou Jacket uses a two-way stretch, soft-shell fabrication that has a 3000gm breathability rating and can withstand rain showers, wind and light snowfall. Waihou used an Aquaseal zip and seam-sealing technology to provide additional protection from the elements. Designed as a unisex jacket, the broad shoulder and tapered silhouette is purely functional due to rain run-off. The hemline dips at the back to provide seat protection from dew-laden farm bikes and a two way zip allows the wearer to straddle a bike or fence with ease.
“To date, there has been a lack of innovation in apparel that meets both the functional requirements of the contemporary farm while reflecting current-day ‘cool’. The Waihou Jacket responds to this need, using human-centred design to blend urban streetwear aesthetics with high-tech fabrication and functional integrity,” she added.
When the jacket is fully zipped, the collar then extends above the mouth and is paired with a fully extendable hood providing full weather protection to the wearer’s face. However, the entire hood is also detachable and the brim can be turned back to give the wearer optimal peripheral vision. Waihou has considered UV protection with a detachable inner lining which features a sunglasses pocket and elasticated chapstick or lipstick carrier. The jacket features a number of functional pockets and other purpose-built pouches.
“The jacket was designed in response to a brief that required students to adopt a ‘blue sky’ approach to developing garments for Kathmandu. Functionality was to be considered in conjunction with creative, fashion-forward design thinking to produce a detail-focused garment suited to the high-end urban streetwear market,” she said.
Waihou has considered UV protection with a detachable inner lining which features a sunglasses pocket and elasticated chapstick or lipstick carrier. The jacket features a number of functional pockets and other purpose-built pouches.
