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The Zalea Artwear Куртка ручної роботи by Laili Lau

The Zalea Artwear Куртка ручної роботи by Laili Lau is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Залізна нагорода A' Design Award in Мода Competition Category.


ЗалізоМода· 2025

The Zalea Artwear Куртка ручної роботи

by Laili Lau

Client: Laili Lau

Залізна нагорода A' Design Award Winner in Мода Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #164863

Colors

The Design

About The Zalea Artwear Куртка ручної роботи

Zalea Artwear — це куртка ручної роботи, виготовлена з перероблених текстильних шарфів та відходів тканини. Кожен клаптик тканини відбирається та зшивається вручну, утворюючи шаруваті текстури. Оверсайз-силует та каскадні смуги тканини надають куртці скульптурного вигляду. Використані перероблені бавовна, вовна та шовк, а вільні рукави дозволяють легко створювати багатошарові образи. Довжина куртки становить 80 см, обхват грудей — 60 см. Повільний ручний процес виготовлення цінує майстерність понад масове виробництво та зменшує текстильні відходи.

The Recognition

About the Залізна нагорода A' Design Award

The Zalea Artwear Куртка ручної роботи є переможцем Залізної нагороди A' Design Award — престижного визнання, що присуджується добрим дизайнам, які відповідають професійним і промисловим вимогам, що очікуються від добре спроєктованих творінь. Переможці Залізної нагороди демонструють велику майстерність, високу спеціалізацію, експертне розуміння та творчу спроможність своїх творців. Очікується, що The Zalea Artwear Куртка ручної роботи буде високо цінованим, улюбленим і обожнюваним творінням, практичним та інноваційним. Цей дизайн-переможець Залізної нагороди A' Design Award інтегрує найкращі галузеві практики та має компетентні технічні характеристики, пов'язані з практичним знанням і талантом. The Zalea Artwear Куртка ручної роботи поважається за ретельність і розроблений для надання покращень якості життя, які допомагають зробити світ кращим.

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

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