Can fashion save lives? | Angela Luna | TEDxArendal

[Music]

[Music] can fashion save lives it sounds a bit

can fashion save lives it sounds a bit

can fashion save lives it sounds a bit ridiculous doesn’t it the idea of

ridiculous doesn’t it the idea of

ridiculous doesn’t it the idea of fashion saving lives

fashion saving lives

fashion saving lives I mean sure intentional design or safety

I mean sure intentional design or safety

I mean sure intentional design or safety and clothing where can we see this in

and clothing where can we see this in

and clothing where can we see this in our world well we know it exists in

our world well we know it exists in

our world well we know it exists in firefighter and Army uniforms

firefighter and Army uniforms

firefighter and Army uniforms construction attire even astronaut suits

construction attire even astronaut suits

construction attire even astronaut suits are considered as articles of clothing

are considered as articles of clothing

are considered as articles of clothing now that’s probably something no one in

now that’s probably something no one in

now that’s probably something no one in this room has ever seen or felt in

this room has ever seen or felt in

this room has ever seen or felt in person but we all know that there is a

person but we all know that there is a

person but we all know that there is a lot of attention to detail there right

lot of attention to detail there right

lot of attention to detail there right you’ve got the gloves that latch onto

you’ve got the gloves that latch onto

you’ve got the gloves that latch onto the arms this big helmet that comes on

the arms this big helmet that comes on

the arms this big helmet that comes on all these very important gadgets now

all these very important gadgets now

all these very important gadgets now that’s one piece of clothing where if

that’s one piece of clothing where if

that’s one piece of clothing where if there are any problems if anything is

there are any problems if anything is

there are any problems if anything is messed up it becomes life-threatening

messed up it becomes life-threatening

messed up it becomes life-threatening same could go for police uniforms we’ve

same could go for police uniforms we’ve

same could go for police uniforms we’ve all seen those everything’s very

all seen those everything’s very

all seen those everything’s very intentional with police uniforms or

intentional with police uniforms or

intentional with police uniforms or uniforms in general really you know we

uniforms in general really you know we

uniforms in general really you know we figured out we’re in the best place of

figured out we’re in the best place of

figured out we’re in the best place of the body is it to keep your gun or how

the body is it to keep your gun or how

the body is it to keep your gun or how quickly you can access the cuffs or talk

quickly you can access the cuffs or talk

quickly you can access the cuffs or talk to your buddy on the radio everything’s

to your buddy on the radio everything’s

to your buddy on the radio everything’s been very much thought through

been very much thought through

been very much thought through intentional design basically ends

intentional design basically ends

intentional design basically ends they’re only applying to these high-risk

they’re only applying to these high-risk

they’re only applying to these high-risk jobs there are some consumer brands that

jobs there are some consumer brands that

jobs there are some consumer brands that are really interested in how we interact

are really interested in how we interact

are really interested in how we interact in our clothing but humanitarian

in our clothing but humanitarian

in our clothing but humanitarian application for intentionally designed

application for intentionally designed

application for intentionally designed clothing has been ultimately

clothing has been ultimately

clothing has been ultimately non-existent we see homeless on the

non-existent we see homeless on the

non-existent we see homeless on the streets daily and pants not meant for

streets daily and pants not meant for

streets daily and pants not meant for sleeping on city sidewalks we see

sleeping on city sidewalks we see

sleeping on city sidewalks we see refugees fleeing in branded t-shirts and

refugees fleeing in branded t-shirts and

refugees fleeing in branded t-shirts and jeans which of course makes sense

jeans which of course makes sense

jeans which of course makes sense because if we all had to get up and

because if we all had to get up and

because if we all had to get up and leave right now would be second whatever

leave right now would be second whatever

leave right now would be second whatever clothes we decided to put on this

clothes we decided to put on this

clothes we decided to put on this morning but even the donated garments

morning but even the donated garments

morning but even the donated garments are more of the same just trend focused

are more of the same just trend focused

are more of the same just trend focused clothing that other people don’t want

clothing that other people don’t want

clothing that other people don’t want hanging up in their closets anymore and

hanging up in their closets anymore and

hanging up in their closets anymore and unfortunately when it comes to disaster

unfortunately when it comes to disaster

unfortunately when it comes to disaster relief stylish but ultimately useless

relief stylish but ultimately useless

relief stylish but ultimately useless clothes are the vast majority majority

clothes are the vast majority majority

clothes are the vast majority majority of items that are donated and while

of items that are donated and while

of items that are donated and while there always seems to be a steady stream

there always seems to be a steady stream

there always seems to be a steady stream of donation

of donation

of donation the clothes aren’t always meeting the

the clothes aren’t always meeting the

the clothes aren’t always meeting the need and are often causing a myriad of

need and are often causing a myriad of

need and are often causing a myriad of other problems in crisis situations for

other problems in crisis situations for

other problems in crisis situations for example noisy or vibrant clothing

example noisy or vibrant clothing

example noisy or vibrant clothing bringing attention to people who are

bringing attention to people who are

bringing attention to people who are trying to flee undetected dark or

trying to flee undetected dark or

trying to flee undetected dark or unrecognizable clothing creating danger

unrecognizable clothing creating danger

unrecognizable clothing creating danger when traveling on unlit roads or across

when traveling on unlit roads or across

when traveling on unlit roads or across water water absorbing clothing that adds

water water absorbing clothing that adds

water water absorbing clothing that adds weight and discomfort clothing that’s

weight and discomfort clothing that’s

weight and discomfort clothing that’s not responsive to temperature or climate

not responsive to temperature or climate

not responsive to temperature or climate resulting in illness and not even to

resulting in illness and not even to

resulting in illness and not even to mention just the overall functionality

mention just the overall functionality

mention just the overall functionality of the garments for example if you’re

of the garments for example if you’re

of the garments for example if you’re traveling with something important you’d

traveling with something important you’d

traveling with something important you’d want to keep it close to you at all

want to keep it close to you at all

want to keep it close to you at all times or if you’re traveling with a lot

times or if you’re traveling with a lot

times or if you’re traveling with a lot of things you’d want to have at least

of things you’d want to have at least

of things you’d want to have at least several pockets on the body to put it in

several pockets on the body to put it in

several pockets on the body to put it in so that way you can distribute the

so that way you can distribute the

so that way you can distribute the weight if it rains you want your clothes

weight if it rains you want your clothes

weight if it rains you want your clothes to be able to dry quickly or even better

to be able to dry quickly or even better

to be able to dry quickly or even better to keep you dry while you’re wearing

to keep you dry while you’re wearing

to keep you dry while you’re wearing them when I visited refugee camps in

them when I visited refugee camps in

them when I visited refugee camps in Greece

Greece

Greece I watched volunteers passing out spring

I watched volunteers passing out spring

I watched volunteers passing out spring jackets for winter because that was all

jackets for winter because that was all

jackets for winter because that was all they had I saw children running around

they had I saw children running around

they had I saw children running around in the cold of November in adult sized

in the cold of November in adult sized

in the cold of November in adult sized flip-flops occasionally taking them off

flip-flops occasionally taking them off

flip-flops occasionally taking them off so they can play jump rope without

so they can play jump rope without

so they can play jump rope without tripping mismatched shoes and bins at

tripping mismatched shoes and bins at

tripping mismatched shoes and bins at warehouses where there was surprisingly

warehouses where there was surprisingly

warehouses where there was surprisingly even an inventory of Halloween costumes

even an inventory of Halloween costumes

even an inventory of Halloween costumes clothing is being given out in the wrong

clothing is being given out in the wrong

clothing is being given out in the wrong sizes for the wrong seasons for the

sizes for the wrong seasons for the

sizes for the wrong seasons for the wrong purposes with visible wares and

wrong purposes with visible wares and

wrong purposes with visible wares and stains what is needed is clothing that

stains what is needed is clothing that

stains what is needed is clothing that goes back to the original purpose of

goes back to the original purpose of

goes back to the original purpose of clothing a sort of clothing for crisis

clothing a sort of clothing for crisis

clothing a sort of clothing for crisis if you will where Farm should follow

if you will where Farm should follow

if you will where Farm should follow function design should be user centered

function design should be user centered

function design should be user centered and solution based made to solve

and solution based made to solve

and solution based made to solve problems not create more clothing should

problems not create more clothing should

problems not create more clothing should be seasonless adaptable to any

be seasonless adaptable to any

be seasonless adaptable to any environment and size lists able to fit

environment and size lists able to fit

environment and size lists able to fit most body types and most importantly

most body types and most importantly

most body types and most importantly clothing should not be related to the

clothing should not be related to the

clothing should not be related to the cause of death for anyone it’s funny how

cause of death for anyone it’s funny how

cause of death for anyone it’s funny how quickly we forget that clothes

quickly we forget that clothes

quickly we forget that clothes is one of the key things we need for

is one of the key things we need for

is one of the key things we need for survival in our expanded environments

survival in our expanded environments

survival in our expanded environments and yet the fashion industry feels no

and yet the fashion industry feels no

and yet the fashion industry feels no compulsion or no responsibility to

compulsion or no responsibility to

compulsion or no responsibility to provide for those who still rely on it

provide for those who still rely on it

provide for those who still rely on it for survival

for survival

for survival so then why isn’t fashion considered as

so then why isn’t fashion considered as

so then why isn’t fashion considered as a way to provide relief for global

a way to provide relief for global

a way to provide relief for global issues I am a solution based fashion

issues I am a solution based fashion

issues I am a solution based fashion designer which means that I understand

designer which means that I understand

designer which means that I understand the true value our clothing can provide

the true value our clothing can provide

the true value our clothing can provide I founded the humanitarian outerwear

I founded the humanitarian outerwear

I founded the humanitarian outerwear startup ad if that uses intentional

startup ad if that uses intentional

startup ad if that uses intentional design to assist refugees and homeless

design to assist refugees and homeless

design to assist refugees and homeless our goal is futile eyes the fashion

our goal is futile eyes the fashion

our goal is futile eyes the fashion industry to create aid and awareness for

industry to create aid and awareness for

industry to create aid and awareness for global displacement now this is

global displacement now this is

global displacement now this is inherently controversial because fashion

inherently controversial because fashion

inherently controversial because fashion as we know it doesn’t really deal in the

as we know it doesn’t really deal in the

as we know it doesn’t really deal in the realm of politics or global issues right

realm of politics or global issues right

realm of politics or global issues right no of course not fashion as we know it

no of course not fashion as we know it

no of course not fashion as we know it is useless when I say the word fashion

is useless when I say the word fashion

is useless when I say the word fashion what comes to mind let’s see

what comes to mind let’s see

what comes to mind let’s see runways models luxury red carpets and

runways models luxury red carpets and

runways models luxury red carpets and 5th Avenue well hey I’m standing on a

5th Avenue well hey I’m standing on a

5th Avenue well hey I’m standing on a red carpet right now something frivolous

red carpet right now something frivolous

red carpet right now something frivolous superficial unimportant and expensive

superficial unimportant and expensive

superficial unimportant and expensive not to mention wasteful after all

not to mention wasteful after all

not to mention wasteful after all fashion is the second most polluting

fashion is the second most polluting

fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world just behind oil

industry in the world just behind oil

industry in the world just behind oil fashion is also the only industry that

fashion is also the only industry that

fashion is also the only industry that can tell you not to wear that perfectly

can tell you not to wear that perfectly

can tell you not to wear that perfectly good jacket hanging up in your closet

good jacket hanging up in your closet

good jacket hanging up in your closet because it is out of fashion fashion has

because it is out of fashion fashion has

because it is out of fashion fashion has widely been considered as detached from

widely been considered as detached from

widely been considered as detached from global concerns or maybe even above them

global concerns or maybe even above them

global concerns or maybe even above them most designers or runway shows don’t

most designers or runway shows don’t

most designers or runway shows don’t call our society or our practices into

call our society or our practices into

call our society or our practices into question they don’t offer proposals or

question they don’t offer proposals or

question they don’t offer proposals or solutions to combat the issues in our

solutions to combat the issues in our

solutions to combat the issues in our world they deal with ridiculous

world they deal with ridiculous

world they deal with ridiculous abstracted concepts like clouds or

abstracted concepts like clouds or

abstracted concepts like clouds or waking up from a dream or a city street

waking up from a dream or a city street

waking up from a dream or a city street in Paris and if I’m being quite honest

in Paris and if I’m being quite honest

in Paris and if I’m being quite honest with you guys I couldn’t give a

with you guys I couldn’t give a

with you guys I couldn’t give a about any of this

about any of this

about any of this it’s a waste of time money resources and

it’s a waste of time money resources and

it’s a waste of time money resources and space it’s really just a distraction

space it’s really just a distraction

space it’s really just a distraction from the real issues of our world

from the real issues of our world

from the real issues of our world further highlighting the gaps between

further highlighting the gaps between

further highlighting the gaps between those who have the money and those who

those who have the money and those who

those who have the money and those who don’t I’m not here to convince you all

don’t I’m not here to convince you all

don’t I’m not here to convince you all today that fashion isn’t all of these

today that fashion isn’t all of these

today that fashion isn’t all of these things it is but it doesn’t have to be

things it is but it doesn’t have to be

things it is but it doesn’t have to be obviously this sense of the industry

obviously this sense of the industry

obviously this sense of the industry can’t save lives but it’s not my focus

can’t save lives but it’s not my focus

can’t save lives but it’s not my focus I believe that purposeful design can

I believe that purposeful design can

I believe that purposeful design can create solutions and create aid that

create solutions and create aid that

create solutions and create aid that fashion is capable of creating awareness

fashion is capable of creating awareness

fashion is capable of creating awareness and solidarity and that it truly should

and solidarity and that it truly should

and solidarity and that it truly should be considered as an asset so then let’s

be considered as an asset so then let’s

be considered as an asset so then let’s go back to that first question can

go back to that first question can

go back to that first question can fashion save lives absolutely I bet you

fashion save lives absolutely I bet you

fashion save lives absolutely I bet you wouldn’t guess that that tent over there

wouldn’t guess that that tent over there

wouldn’t guess that that tent over there that’s my jacket for this evening

that’s my jacket for this evening

that’s my jacket for this evening this jacket is one of seven that I

this jacket is one of seven that I

this jacket is one of seven that I designed in reaction to the refugee

designed in reaction to the refugee

designed in reaction to the refugee crisis the collection responds to the

crisis the collection responds to the

crisis the collection responds to the need for shelter for sleep relocation

need for shelter for sleep relocation

need for shelter for sleep relocation the need to be seen one second and hide

the need to be seen one second and hide

the need to be seen one second and hide the next the need to travel safely on

the next the need to travel safely on

the next the need to travel safely on water the risks of traveling with young

water the risks of traveling with young

water the risks of traveling with young children and the need to have durable

children and the need to have durable

children and the need to have durable functional clothing using intentional

functional clothing using intentional

functional clothing using intentional design to reduce risk I created a series

design to reduce risk I created a series

design to reduce risk I created a series of jackets that transform into tents a

of jackets that transform into tents a

of jackets that transform into tents a sleeping bag or a backpack as well as

sleeping bag or a backpack as well as

sleeping bag or a backpack as well as jackets equipped for carrying children

jackets equipped for carrying children

jackets equipped for carrying children flotation and invisibility

everything is weatherproof waterproof

everything is weatherproof waterproof unisex and one size and prepared to be

unisex and one size and prepared to be

unisex and one size and prepared to be worn in numerous environments so these

worn in numerous environments so these

worn in numerous environments so these jackets have been tested at refugee

jackets have been tested at refugee

jackets have been tested at refugee camps in Greece and received an

camps in Greece and received an

camps in Greece and received an overwhelmingly positive feedback from

overwhelmingly positive feedback from

overwhelmingly positive feedback from the people there on the level of

the people there on the level of

the people there on the level of functionality they were absolutely able

functionality they were absolutely able

functionality they were absolutely able to meet the need but it was also

to meet the need but it was also

to meet the need but it was also interesting to see what a positive

interesting to see what a positive

interesting to see what a positive effect they had on the morale of

effect they had on the morale of

effect they had on the morale of everyone at the camp part of the reason

everyone at the camp part of the reason

everyone at the camp part of the reason why I think it was such a success was

why I think it was such a success was

why I think it was such a success was because it allowed these people to

because it allowed these people to

because it allowed these people to escape through their current situation

escape through their current situation

escape through their current situation through something so

through something so

through something so right as fashion it’s interesting to see

right as fashion it’s interesting to see

right as fashion it’s interesting to see how this frivolity and lightness could

how this frivolity and lightness could

how this frivolity and lightness could be used as a positive not a negative the

be used as a positive not a negative the

be used as a positive not a negative the entire experience really enlightened me

entire experience really enlightened me

entire experience really enlightened me as to how universally uplifting fashion

as to how universally uplifting fashion

as to how universally uplifting fashion can be when used for good which brings

can be when used for good which brings

can be when used for good which brings me to my final point fashion can save

me to my final point fashion can save

me to my final point fashion can save lives in other ways not just with

lives in other ways not just with

lives in other ways not just with transformable jackets one key thing

transformable jackets one key thing

transformable jackets one key thing about clothing is that it’s something

about clothing is that it’s something

about clothing is that it’s something that we all interact with every day

that we all interact with every day

that we all interact with every day let’s everyone just take a second and

let’s everyone just take a second and

let’s everyone just take a second and look around and see if there’s anyone

look around and see if there’s anyone

look around and see if there’s anyone here right now who’s not wearing any

here right now who’s not wearing any

here right now who’s not wearing any clothes

clothes

clothes no right of course not you wouldn’t be

no right of course not you wouldn’t be

no right of course not you wouldn’t be allowed in the building would you

allowed in the building would you

allowed in the building would you fashion clothing are built into our

fashion clothing are built into our

fashion clothing are built into our society clothing me able to help in

society clothing me able to help in

society clothing me able to help in daily issues and maybe even save lives

daily issues and maybe even save lives

daily issues and maybe even save lives in dire circumstances but it’s not

in dire circumstances but it’s not

in dire circumstances but it’s not capable of creating immigration reform

capable of creating immigration reform

capable of creating immigration reform or delivering money towards affordable

or delivering money towards affordable

or delivering money towards affordable housing only you guys can do that if

housing only you guys can do that if

housing only you guys can do that if we’re able to successfully hack the

we’re able to successfully hack the

we’re able to successfully hack the fashion system and use it as a vehicle

fashion system and use it as a vehicle

fashion system and use it as a vehicle for creating change then fashion can

for creating change then fashion can

for creating change then fashion can have a much larger impact on global

have a much larger impact on global

have a much larger impact on global issues as a whole awareness and

issues as a whole awareness and

issues as a whole awareness and understanding are truly our greatest

understanding are truly our greatest

understanding are truly our greatest weapons you can shut off the news turn

weapons you can shut off the news turn

weapons you can shut off the news turn off the radio or close your eyes as you

off the radio or close your eyes as you

off the radio or close your eyes as you walk past newsstands but you can’t

walk past newsstands but you can’t

walk past newsstands but you can’t really avoid clothing even if you don’t

really avoid clothing even if you don’t

really avoid clothing even if you don’t want to wear any everyone around you

want to wear any everyone around you

want to wear any everyone around you will and you probably can’t get past

will and you probably can’t get past

will and you probably can’t get past your bathroom door what we wear sends a

your bathroom door what we wear sends a

your bathroom door what we wear sends a message so really think about what you

message so really think about what you

message so really think about what you want that message to be do you want your

want that message to be do you want your

want that message to be do you want your clothes to be produced responsibly

clothes to be produced responsibly

clothes to be produced responsibly ethically do you want them to bring

ethically do you want them to bring

ethically do you want them to bring people together or drive them apart do

people together or drive them apart do

people together or drive them apart do they have a story what does that say we

they have a story what does that say we

they have a story what does that say we need to reintegrate fashion back with

need to reintegrate fashion back with

need to reintegrate fashion back with what’s actually going on in the world

what’s actually going on in the world

what’s actually going on in the world and hold the industry accountable all of

and hold the industry accountable all of

and hold the industry accountable all of us should act intentionally with what we

us should act intentionally with what we

us should act intentionally with what we wear why we wear it and what we’re

wear why we wear it and what we’re

wear why we wear it and what we’re hoping to accomplish after all clothing

hoping to accomplish after all clothing

hoping to accomplish after all clothing is a tool and fashion is what we make of

is a tool and fashion is what we make of

is a tool and fashion is what we make of it so now what about my jacket I’m sure

it so now what about my jacket I’m sure

it so now what about my jacket I’m sure you guys are super curious to see how

you guys are super curious to see how

you guys are super curious to see how this works so let me give you a little

this works so let me give you a little

this works so let me give you a little magic show step 1 take out the polls

so these are easily stackable fiberglass

so these are easily stackable fiberglass poles that come out of these reflective

poles that come out of these reflective

poles that come out of these reflective channels and fold up just like this

let’s do the same for the other side so

let’s do the same for the other side so the material of the jacket is made of is

the material of the jacket is made of is

the material of the jacket is made of is a recycled polyester and the material

a recycled polyester and the material

a recycled polyester and the material that we’re making it in production will

that we’re making it in production will

that we’re making it in production will be made from recycled water bottles so

be made from recycled water bottles so

be made from recycled water bottles so very excited about that

it’s also very lightweight and

it’s also very lightweight and breathable I see this more is like a

breathable I see this more is like a

breathable I see this more is like a layering shell against rain weather

layering shell against rain weather

layering shell against rain weather water whatever so now the base comes off

we’re gonna set aside the main part of

we’re gonna set aside the main part of the tent for a second so this base

the tent for a second so this base

the tent for a second so this base actually becomes a rolled bag which is

actually becomes a rolled bag which is

actually becomes a rolled bag which is where you can store the poles and so

where you can store the poles and so

where you can store the poles and so we’re also redeveloping this jacket so

we’re also redeveloping this jacket so

we’re also redeveloping this jacket so you can tuck in the poles and the base

you can tuck in the poles and the base

you can tuck in the poles and the base on the inside as well I call this making

on the inside as well I call this making

on the inside as well I call this making the burrito

the burrito

the burrito again a very airtight waterproof base

again a very airtight waterproof base

again a very airtight waterproof base these straps are so you can tie it any

these straps are so you can tie it any

these straps are so you can tie it any length on the body can be a shoulder bag

length on the body can be a shoulder bag

length on the body can be a shoulder bag you can also roll up anything else that

you can also roll up anything else that

you can also roll up anything else that you want to keep sick safe in here not

you want to keep sick safe in here not

you want to keep sick safe in here not much technology in this jacket actually

much technology in this jacket actually

much technology in this jacket actually it’s very simple using a lot of

it’s very simple using a lot of

it’s very simple using a lot of old-school kind of just zippers and

old-school kind of just zippers and

old-school kind of just zippers and pulls and ties so most people are like

pulls and ties so most people are like

pulls and ties so most people are like oh does it having a high tech you know

oh does it having a high tech you know

oh does it having a high tech you know if you press a button will it do

if you press a button will it do

if you press a button will it do anything I’m like oh no it’s just using

anything I’m like oh no it’s just using

anything I’m like oh no it’s just using very old forms all right now every

very old forms all right now every

very old forms all right now every jacket needs an opening right got to put

jacket needs an opening right got to put

jacket needs an opening right got to put it on somehow

and what would a jacket be without

and what would a jacket be without sleeves all right thank you guys

sleeves all right thank you guys

sleeves all right thank you guys [Applause]