IFAI announces winners of Safety Products Design Challenge
31 Oct '08
4 min read
3rd Place: Men's Cold-weather Sailing Outfit
Designer: Laura Musekamp
Instructor: Karen LaBat, PhD - Design, Housing, Apparel
College: University of Minnesota
Project Overview:
"This cold-weather sailing outfit protects the body from extremely cold weather and harsh sailing conditions in both the fabric and the design.
"For the jacket, the outer layer of fabric is Ultrex rip stop. This windproof, waterproof, and breathable fabric allows the user to be comfortable while offering wind and water protection. The blue fabric is a nylon rip stop. It is also windproof and waterproof and was added into the design for aesthetic.
The interlining is 125 gram Thinsulat fabric. This type of insulation protects the body from extremely cold temperatures. The interlining in the collar is polar fleece, adding warmth but less bulk than the rest of the jacket. The lining fabric is a polyester mesh material that wicks moisture from the body. Keeping moisture away from the skin is important in cold conditions.
"The pants are made from blue nylon rip stop and they are lined with the silver mesh that is in the jacket. The pants are meant to be worn over another pair of pants."
All 2008 entries will be showcased at www.safetyfabrics.com, and will also be spotlighted in a late fall issue of the Specialty Fabrics Review, the premiere magazine for the specialty fabrics industry.
Cash awards to students and schools are sponsored by the Narrow Fabrics Institute (a division of IFAI) and the travel and room awards by S&PPD. Many safety products use narrow fabrics like tapes, braids, and webbing and NFI encourages student designers to learn about these unique high performing textiles.