The Zalea Artwear Ręcznie wykonana kurtka by Laili Lau

The Zalea Artwear Ręcznie wykonana kurtka by Laili Lau is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Żelazna Nagroda A' Design Award in Projektowanie Mody, Odzieży i Ubiorów Competition Category.

ŻelaznaModa· 2025

The Zalea Artwear Ręcznie wykonana kurtka

by Laili Lau

Client: Laili Lau

Żelazna Nagroda A' Design Award Winner in Moda Category

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Colors

The Design

About The Zalea Artwear Ręcznie wykonana kurtka

Zalea Artwear to ręcznie wykonana kurtka uszyta z pociętych szmatek tkanin i odzysku tekstylnego. Każdy skrawek materiału jest starannie dobierany i zszywany ręcznie, tworząc warstwowe faktury. Powiększona sylwetka oraz opadające kaskadowo pasy tkaniny nadają kurtce rzeźbiarski charakter. Wykorzystano odzyskaną bawełnę, wełnę i jedwab, a luźne rękawy umożliwiają swobodne warstwowanie stylizacji. Kurtka ma 80 cm długości i 60 cm szerokości w klatce piersiowej. Powolny, manualny proces powstawania stawia rzemiosło ponad masową produkcją i ogranicza ilość odpadów tekstylnych.

The Recognition

About the Żelazna Nagroda A' Design Award

The Zalea Artwear Ręcznie wykonana kurtka to laureat Żelaznej Nagrody A' Design Award, prestiżowego wyróżnienia przyznawanego dobrym projektom, które spełniają zawodowe i przemysłowe wymagania oczekiwane od dobrze zaprojektowanych dzieł. Laureaci Żelaznej Nagrody wykazują wielką biegłość, wysoką specjalizację, fachowe zrozumienie i zdolności twórcze ich autorów. The Zalea Artwear Ręcznie wykonana kurtka ma być wysoko cenionym, podziwianym i drogim sercu dziełem, które jest praktyczne i innowacyjne. Ten projekt nagrodzony Żelazną Nagrodą A' Design Award integruje najlepsze praktyki branżowe i ma kompetentne cechy techniczne powiązane z wiedzą fachową i talentem. Dzięki starannemu wykonaniu The Zalea Artwear Ręcznie wykonana kurtka cieszy się szacunkiem, a jego zadaniem jest zapewnianie poprawy jakości życia, która pomaga uczynić świat lepszym miejscem.

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