The Zalea Artwear Ġakketta Magħmula bl-Idejn by Laili Lau

The Zalea Artwear Ġakketta Magħmula bl-Idejn by Laili Lau is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Premju A' Design Award tal-Ħadid in Disinn tal-Moda, Lbies u Ħwejjeġ Competition Category.

ĦadidModa· 2025

The Zalea Artwear Ġakketta Magħmula bl-Idejn

by Laili Lau

Client: Laili Lau

Premju A' Design Award tal-Ħadid Winner in Moda Category

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Colors

The Design

About The Zalea Artwear Ġakketta Magħmula bl-Idejn

Iz-Zalea Artwear hija ġakketta magħmula bl-idejn minn xarpi tad-drapp riċiklati u tessuti mormija. Kull biċċa drapp tintgħażel u tinħiet bl-idejn, biex tifforma tessuti mlaqqmin f'saffi. Is-siluetta kbira u l-istrixxi tad-drapp li jaqgħu jagħtu lill-ġakketta kwalità skultorja. Jintużaw qoton, suf u ħarir riċiklati, u l-kmiem laxki jippermettu li tintlibes b'faċilità fuq ħwejjeġ oħra. Il-ġakketta tkejjel 80 ċm fit-tul u 60 ċm max-xedaq. Il-proċess bil-mod u manwali jagħti valur lis-sengħa aktar milli lill-produzzjoni tal-massa, u jnaqqas l-iskart tessili.

The Recognition

About the Premju A' Design Award tal-Ħadid

The Zalea Artwear Ġakketta Magħmula bl-Idejn huwa rebbieħ tal-Premju A' Design Award tal-Ħadid, rikonoxximent prestiġjuż mogħti lil disinji tajbin li jissodisfaw ir-rekwiżiti professjonali u industrijali mistennija minn ħolqien imfassal tajjeb. Ir-rebbieħa tal-Ħadid juru l-ħila kbira, l-ispeċjalizzazzjoni għolja, il-fehim espert u l-kapaċità kreattiva tal-ħallieqa tagħhom. Huwa mistenni li The Zalea Artwear Ġakketta Magħmula bl-Idejn ikun ħolqien imqabbar ħafna, mammirat u maħbub li huwa prattiku u innovattiv. Dan id-disinn rebbieħ tal-Ħadid jintegra l-aħjar prattiki tal-industrija u għandu karatteristiċi tekniċi kompetenti marbuta mal-għarfien u t-talent. The Zalea Artwear Ġakketta Magħmula bl-Idejn huwa rispettat għall-eżattezza tiegħu u mfassal biex itejjeb il-kwalità tal-ħajja u jgħin jagħmel id-dinja post aħjar.

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