Press Release
Human Ambient Design Cooling Vest by Takaaki Matsuura Receives the Silver A' Design Award in Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design
Takaaki Matsuura recognized for fashion, apparel and garment design by the international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 28, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has confirmed the Silver A' Design Award in the Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design category for Human Ambient Design Cooling Vest by Takaaki Matsuura. The award was conferred within the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who assessed anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
What the Silver A' Design Award Means
The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.
Regarding Human Ambient Design Cooling Vest
Human Ambient Design synthesizes high fashion aesthetics with functional techwear; this air cooled vest exemplifies its broader design philosophy. Using premium Olmetex deadstock, the project embraces circular design through thoughtful upcycling. The oversized silhouette is engineered with aerodynamic efficiency in mind, with internal airflow channels facilitating superior thermal regulation. Redefining heat protection, the project offers a functional alternative to conventional apparel, delivering a distinct identity validated by global industry experts and design excellence.
About Takaaki Matsuura
Takaaki Matsuura is a professional fashion designer with extensive experience in the Japanese apparel industry and is currently a candidate for a Master of Business Administration (MBA). After building a professional foundation at domestic apparel manufacturers, he transitioned into an independent capacity, collaborating with diverse organizations ranging from major corporations to SMEs. Currently, he leads design at an apparel manufacturer while pursuing an MBA to broaden his strategic business perspective.
Award Record
Takaaki Matsuura is a winner of 1 A' Design Award, including this recognition.
About the A' Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Award
The A' Fashion Design Award is an international fashion design competition recognizing good fashion designs by best fashion designers and brands worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to fashion designers, apparel designers, garment designers and textile designers from all countries. Entries typically include runway collections, dresses, suits, skirts, outerwear and jackets. Awarded fashion designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/fashion
About A' Design Award & Competition
A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade organized annually since 2008. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic mission to advance society through good design by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Entries are peer reviewed and anonymously evaluated by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. The A' Design Prize granted to eligible laureates includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, the upload of a work and the preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. Further information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://designers.org/181655
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/181655
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!181655
- Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/379412
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://bit.ly/4qUnKVC
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Human Ambient Design Cooling Vest
- Function
- Cooling Vest
- Category
- Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design
- Discipline
- Fashion Design
- Industry
- Fashion
- Colors
- Black, Dark Slate Gray, Tomato and Maroon
- Images
- 5
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Takaaki Matsuura
- Country
- Japan
- Recognition
- Silver A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #181655
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- This design transforms high-end deadstock from Italy's Olmetex into a high-fashion Cooling Vest. Unlike conventional tight-fitting garments, its baggy silhouette balances aesthetic volume with aerodynamic efficiency. The matte nylon taffeta provides a sophisticated texture, while strategic drawcords at the shoulders and hem prevent air leakage, ensuring cooling without excessive inflation. It merges textile heritage with modern air-cooling functionality integrated by Japanese craftsmanship.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration came from an environmental perspective to upcycle premium surplus materials. The designer integrated Olmetex's quality with the need to survive Japan's record-breaking summer heat. The goal was to create sustainable Urban Armor, allowing fashion enthusiasts to maintain their style using fan-cooled technology. The project was validated when Olmetex officially featured the design on their media, proving that deadstock can surpass the value of original production.
- Research
- This research explored the intersection of high-end textile upcycling and active cooling technology. The goal was to test if oversized silhouettes maintain the thermal efficiency of traditional air-cooled workwear. Methodology included airflow visualization and self-conducted trials in urban environments. Results showed that strategic drawcords effectively managed ballooning while providing superior comfort. Upcycling luxury fabrics reduces waste and enhances technical performance in techwear.
- Challenge
- The main challenge was reconciling industrial air-cooling hardware with the sophisticated drape of high-end textiles. Traditional air-cooled garments require a tight seal, often causing an unflattering 'balloon' effect. This project challenged that norm with a baggy silhouette using internal channels and drawcords to guide airflow without losing volume. Engineering a system to securely mount fans onto lightweight nylon without fabric strain required precise structural reinforcement.
- Realization and Technology
- The vest uses premium nylon taffeta from Olmetex, known for high-density weave and technical finishing. Precision tailoring manages the voluminous baggy fit while incorporating internal airflow channels. A key feature is the internal mesh pocket at the rear collar for ice packs to enhance cooling. The assembly utilizes specialized fan mounting rings and adjustable cord-lock systems at the extremities to maximize air pressure and circulation efficiency within the garment.
- Operation and Interaction
- Users activate dual fans at the lower back to draw air into the vest. The air circulates around the torso and escapes via the neck and armholes, removing heat. Tightening the hem and armhole drawcords increases internal pressure to optimize the cooling effect. An ice pack can be placed in the rear collar pocket for immediate chilled air. This interaction allows a seamless transition from an active functional cooling state to a relaxed, aesthetic drape.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project commenced in December 2024 in Osaka, Japan, with sourcing and initial prototyping. In March 2025, the prototype was unveiled on the designer's social media and subsequently featured by the prestigious Italian manufacturer, Olmetex. Following rigorous wearability testing, the design was optimized by removing redundant elements to reach its most refined form in April 2025. This journey from prototype to final design served as a key milestone for the launch of the "Human Ambient Design" initiative.
- Specifications
- Dimensions: Width 640mm, Length 740mm, Shoulder Width 540mm. Designed as a one-size-fits-all unisex model. Composition: 100% High-density Technical Nylon from Olmetex surplus. Features water repellency and wind resistance to maintain internal air pressure. The design is compatible with various standard portable fan units available on the market.
- Keywords
- Air Cooling Vest, Upcycled Fashion, Olmetex, Technical Apparel, Sustainable Design, Oversized Silhouette, Techwear, Urban Gear, Cooling Technology, Unisex Fashion
