Eco Furs: A Revolutionary Approach to Sustainable Fashion

Designer Heli Miikkulainen-Gilbert Transforms Traditional Rya Rug Textiles into Modern, Functional Garments

Reinterpreting the traditional Rya sewing technique, Miikkulainen-Gilbert has created a coat that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and environmentally friendly. The Eco Furs coat, hand-tufted from pure lambswool, is designed to be a 7-in-1 garment, making it a perfect travel companion. Its timeless design and durable materials ensure that it is a lifetime companion.

The Eco Furs coat is handmade, either produced in small series of standard sizes or made-to-measure. The base coat is tailored from durable jute canvas and lined with durable polyester satin or alternatively pure silk. The coat is then tufted using the traditional Scandinavian Rya Rug Sewing Technique, resulting in a garment that is similar to tufted textiles made on the loom yet lighter and more versatile.

The coat's unique design allows for a variety of uses. Hidden zips under the tuft in the coat's horizontal cuts allow one to adjust the hem and sleeve length to suit different outfits and occasions. The coat can be worn as a dress without the sleeves, or as a short or long-sleeved bolero without the hem. For women with a straight body type, the hem can be worn alone as a skirt.

The creation of the Eco Furs coat was a long and meticulous process. The design was part of Miikkulainen-Gilbert's first tufted fashion collection, which she began creating in autumn 2009 in Roundwood, Ireland. The coat was launched in full at the Showcase 2013 trade show in Dublin, Ireland in January 2013. It took 25 full days to put together this particular coat.

The Eco Furs coat is not just a fashion statement, but also a testament to the power of sustainable design. It was awarded the Golden A' Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Award in 2014, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. These are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.