The Zalea Artwear Koti Hanga-ā-Ringa by Laili Lau

The Zalea Artwear Koti Hanga-ā-Ringa by Laili Lau is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Rino in Hoahoa Kākahu, Āhua me te Kākahu Competition Category.

RinoKākahu· 2025

The Zalea Artwear Koti Hanga-ā-Ringa

by Laili Lau

Client: Laili Lau

A' Design Award Rino Winner in Kākahu Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #164863

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About The Zalea Artwear Koti Hanga-ā-Ringa

Ko te Zalea Artwear he koti hanga-ā-ringa i hangaia mai i ngā hiako kaka kua whakahoutia me ngā kākahu kua whakarerea. Ka tīpakohia, ka tuia ā-ringatia ia toenga kaka, e hanga ana i ngā papa kiko maha. Ko te āhua rahi rawa me ngā rārangi kaka e heke iho ana e hoatu ana i tētahi āhua whakairo ki te koti. Kua whakamahia te miro (cotton), te huruhuru hipi, me te hiraka kua whakahoutia, ā, mā ngā ringa matirā tāreretia ka māmā ake te whakapaparanga kākahu. E 80 henimita te roa o te koti, e 60 henimita hoki te whānui puta noa i te uma. Ko te tikanga pōturi, ā-ringa, e whakanui ana i te mahi toi, kaua ko te whakaputa nui, ā, ka whakaiti hoki i te para kākahu.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Rino

Ko The Zalea Artwear Koti Hanga-ā-Ringa te toa o te A' Design Award Rino, he whakaaetanga whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa pai e whakatutuki ana i ngā hiahia ngaio me te ahumahi e tūmanakohia ana mai i ngā mahi kua hoahoatia pai. Ko ngā toa Rino e whakaatu ana i te pukenga nui, te tohungatanga teitei, te māramatanga mātanga me te kaha auaha o ō rātou kaihanga. E tūmanakohia ana ko The Zalea Artwear Koti Hanga-ā-Ringa he mahi whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he whaihua, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Rino e whakakotahi ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa o te ahumahi, ā, he āhuatanga hangarau pūkenga tōna e hono ana ki te mōhio me te pūmanawa. E whakahonoretia ana a The Zalea Artwear Koti Hanga-ā-Ringa mō tōna tōtika, ā, i hoahoatia hei whakapai ake i te kounga o te oranga me te āwhina i te ao kia pai ake.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Zalea jacket is a one-of-a-kind wearable art piece made from fabric scarves and discarded materials. Each scrap is thoughtfully selected and sewn, creating rich textures that tell a story of sustainable creativity. The oversized silhouette and cascading fabric strips give it a sculptural quality. It blends fashion with eco-conscious design, serving as both a garment and a statement against mass production, reflecting a deep respect for the environment.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions: 80 cm (length) x 60 cm (chest width). Loose sleeves, 55 cm long. Weight: approx. 1.5 kg. Materials: Upcycled cotton, wool, and silk, providing durability and a soft touch. Care: Dry clean or gentle hand-wash only, due to the delicate, hand-sewn structure. Each jacket’s unique textures and volumes stem from thoughtfully selected fabric scraps
Tags: Upcycled Fashion, Artwear, Handmade Jacket, Sustainable Design, Slow Fashion, Textile Art, Eco-Conscious, Unique Apparel, Recycled Materials
Production Technology: Constructed using hand-sewn techniques, the Zalea jacket is made entirely from donated and recycled fabric scraps. Each piece is manually assembled, a slow-fashion process that values craftsmanship over mass production. This sustainable approach merges discarded scarves and textiles into a cohesive, one-of-a-kind piece, embodying a dedication to eco-conscious design.
Design Challenge: Creating the Zalea jacket as a one-of-a-kind, wearable art piece involved overcoming challenges related to sourcing sustainable materials and developing a meticulous, labor-intensive process. This jacket was crafted as a desirable art piece to wear, made by hand with great care. The scarcity of suitable recycled fabrics and the slow, manual techniques added complexity, requiring creativity, resilience, and dedication. Driven by social and environmental awareness, every stitch honors the materials’ histories, reflecting a shift away from mass production and placing value on craftsmanship and intentional creation.
Research: The Zalea jacket draws inspiration from the azalea flower's delicate yet resilient nature and the protective garment concept. The name "Zalea" reflects the beauty and strength found in nature. At the same time, the jacket itself is designed to act as a modern-day cape—offering both physical comfort and a symbolic sense of protection and empowerment. Using upcycled materials, the jacket becomes a shield against waste and represents sustainable creativity, giving the wearer a feeling of strength and connection to the earth.
Inspiration: The Zalea jacket emerged from a soulful, spontaneous process, hand-sewn from fabric remnants collected over four years. In late 2022, I began creating without a set design, focusing on textures and movement. The process became a cathartic, anxiety-relieving practice that reconnected me with my craft. Using donated, recycled, and salvaged fabrics, the jacket honors the materials' histories while representing a fresh and mindful approach to sustainable fashion.
Project Duration: The Zalea jacket was created over approximately four and a half months, at a slow and mindful pace. The process took place in my studio in Brooklyn, NYC, where I enjoyed carefully hand-sewing the fabric scraps, allowing the design to evolve organically. This leisurely approach allowed for deeper creativity and connection with the materials, creating a truly unique and thoughtful piece.
Operation Flow: The Zalea jacket is a fluid, wearable art piece designed for both comfort and statement-making. Each fabric scrap is meticulously sewn, creating a textured, cascading effect. Its oversized silhouette invites layering, while its eco-conscious design and construction emphasize sustainability, encouraging the wearer to appreciate the garment's unique story and craftsmanship.
Patents: Im in the process of my trademark USPTO Filing Fee per Federal US Patent and Trademark filing
Image Credits: Photo: Anibal Mestre Wong
Model: Valeria Usganda
Production: Manaure Penalver