Suit up: This invention is the difference between life and death for homeless people
Updated | By Beautiful News
Bas Timmer is a Dutch fashion designer who created the Sheltersuit, a jacket made from discarded tents that can double as a warm, wind and rain-proof sleeping bag for the homeless and refugees.
Many of us will throw on a jacket without a second thought. But for a billion others across the world, this could be the difference between life and death. While sketching a new winter fashion collection, Dutch designer Bas Timmer realised the treacherous reality people face living on the streets. “My friend's father, who was homeless, died due to hypothermia,” he says. Driven to end this pain and suffering, Timmer turned the page and began to draw a life-saving garment.
Timmer’s vision materialised into the Sheltersuit, an ingenious two-piece outfit designed to withstand extreme conditions. The suit includes an insulated jacket that’s water and windproof, and an attachable sleeping bag that can all be folded up into a compact backpack. Timmer uses discarded tents and scrap material, creating a product that is both sturdy and sustainable. From the icy streets of the Netherlands to crowded refugee camps in Lesbos, Timmer’s Sheltersuit Foundation has provided thousands of people with suits to weather the difficult times.
While the ensemble may only be a short-term solution to homelessness, it has been instrumental in uplifting destitute and displaced communities. The foundation employs refugees and homeless people to make the garment, giving them the opportunity to earn an income and start over. “I truly believe that if we join efforts, we can protect everybody that is forced to sleep outside,” Timmer says. It’s not about what you have, but what you make of it. With a single idea, Timmer is shielding lives.
Bas TimmerHow one garment is saving thousands of people on the streets.
Geplaas deur Beautiful News op Maandag 31 Augustus 2020
For more Beautiful News stories see below:
- This sanctuary is the last hope for Liberia’s orphaned chimps
- Guided by inner strength, this is how you can persevere
- When Beirut fell to ruins, they rushed out to save its most vulnerable residents
- Wine, dine, and horse ride your way through Noordhoek’s dreamy scenery
- In a playground littered with danger, these pups are fighting to have fun
In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, you can help us spread information and hope. Share your positive stories by clicking here and we’ll be in contact.
Main image courtesy of Beautiful News
Show's Stories
-
PMB students and staff honour beloved school driver
A video of students and staff from Cordwalles Preparatory School paying ...
Stacey & J Sbu 11 hours ago -
South African city tops the list of best foodie destinations
There's a city in South Africa that has recently topped the list for bes...
Stacey & J Sbu 11 hours ago