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! PRESS RELEASE SOLAR PARKA!
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Dear friend,!
We are happy to introduce you to the latest member of our Wearable Solar family. Pauline van Dongen presents, the Solar Parka. This newest design in our Solar collection has been made in collaboration with the Waddenvereniging, the Dutch Wadden Sea Society.!
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We’ve created this new design with great pleasure since we admire the Wadden Sea Society for their work in the UNESCO-World Heritage nature reserve and got inspired by the beautiful and unique area they operate in.!
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The coat is made to give shelter, comfort and off-grid renewable energy to what we call ‘Wad Walkers’. At low tide the Wadden Sea Society organizes guided tours on the bottom of the sea, introducing people to the vegetation and animal life of the area.!
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These outdoor wearers make the Solar Parka stand out in its function. The design thrives when surrounded by nature’s elements. Sun, wind and yes, even water. The Solar Parka integrates one waterproof, thin and flexible solar panel, buttoned on one of the front pockets of the coat. The solar panel made by AltaDevices, a company specializing in the high efficiency of solar cells, generates enough energy to fully charge a smartphone battery within 2 hours of sun, keeping everyone connected while touring the off-grid area. When not used, the solar panel can be unbuttoned and stored behind a zip-pocket on the side of the coat. !
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To keep the wearer warm in midst of offshore weather, the design has been made of unique yarns fabricated from recycled denim. This sustainable material is the flagship material developed by our partner ‘Blue LOOP Originals’. The label has succeeded to give worn-out jeans a second life. Fibers can be reused by unraveling the fabric with powerful machines. The light blue cotton material, called the Blue LOOP DNA is woven into dense fabric, that is crafted into the parka.!
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In the beginning of September Vlieland, one of the 5 Dutch islands, hosts a music and culture festival, 'Into The Great Wide Open’. During the festival the Solar Parka's will be presented and 3 of the limited series of prototypes will be auctioned. The profit will be used to further develop solar garments and to protect the World Heritage Wadden Sea. People can bid until 16 October via www.waddenvereniging.nl/veiling. The parkas are unisex and one size only.!
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Pauline van Dongen!
Pauline van Dongen is a Dutch fashion designer specialized in wearable technology. Established in 2010, her studio is constantly involved in diverse projects that cross over various disciplines and collaborators. The studio is immersed in the dynamic intersection of fashion and technology. It is dedicated to collaborative work that enables innovation and experimentation to take the form of a product.!
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As a creator interested in the notion of interactivity in fashion, Pauline van Dongen researches the human body in relation to its surroundings. The language and expression of the body give form to the garment thus establishing an intimate and personal connection with the wearer. By collaborating with innovators from the fields of science and technology, Pauline aims to bring out and accentuate every individual’s inherently intimate characteristics.!
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Pauline and her team are interested in exploring concepts that interconnect fashion and technology in symbiotic harmony. Recent projects include work with solar cells, the incorporation of light in textile and new developments in 3D printed fashion. Both functionality and aesthetics play an important role during the process of bringing these projects to life. Pauline has presented and featured her work in numerous festivals and exhibitions around the world including SXSW, Northside Festival, Dutch Design Week and TEDx.!
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The Wadden Sea Society!
The Wadden Sea Society (‚Waddenvereniging’) is a Dutch organization, who is concerned with protecting the Wadden Sea. The sea, located between the coast of northwestern continental Europe and the range of Frisian Islands, forms a shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands. It is rich in biological diversity and was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2009.!
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The Waddenvereniging stands up for the needs of the Wadden Sea by responding to the developments in the region and by involving many people in their work and love for the protected area. Which has resulted in a big group of member, voluntarily supporting the organization. It’s an independent organization that bases all activities and stance on scientific research done in the nature reserve. !
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Blue LOOP!
In Twente, once the heart of a flourishing Dutch textile industry, something special is happening. Blue LOOP has found a way to create new comfortable clothing from your worn-out garments. Their ambitions and challenges are best explained through their philosophy: ‘from WORN to REBORN’.!
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Instead of growing new cotton, Blue LOOP cuts and unravels old jeans that were destined for landfill. Thanks to powerful machines they recreate (light blue) recycled cotton fibers and save substantial amounts of water. After years of research they can apply new technologies to respin Blue LOOP DNA into strong new yarns. Together with a team of creative partners Blue LOOP is able close the loop in garment production.!
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Blue LOOP makes comfortable sweaters, hoodies, jeans, knitwear, beanies and t-shirts that have a casual look - and tell stories of the past. Favorite basics that you can wear all day long - whether on a long holiday hike, a slow stroll on the beach, a working day or a night out. !
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Photography: Jan-Willem BullĂŠe!
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