Kai Dunkel's Avantgarde Summer Coat: A Journey from Existence to Non-Existence

Exploring the Unique Design and Inspiration behind the Award-Winning KR-SC-00001

The KR-SC-00001 stands out through its contrasting material character. The use of hard, demolished rigid fabric, rough metal buckles, and a hand-stitched symbolic gas mask lense, symbolises the individual’s liberation from human reality, giving it a mechanical character. Layers and elongated lapels encase the body, functioning as protection against upcoming and uncertain dimensions, completing the transformation.

The coat's design was inspired by the concept of virtual reality and its journey from existence to non-existence. Dunkel drew inspiration from dystopian books like 1984 and Brave New World, as well as films such as Equilibrium, which are characterized by dystopian cities. The eye of the gas mask is a symbol for the mechanization of the system and the anonymity of the world.

The creation process involved a unique draping method, organic seeming, and a dried folding technique. The coat is made of hard, demolished, rigid cotton fabric, and features pockets in side seams. The technical specifications include a menswear size 48 (S) and normal weight.

The design project took place from February to June 2016 in Berlin, Germany, and was exhibited at the Paris Fashion Week and Berlin Fashion Week. It also featured at the Capetown Fashion Film Festival. The design research involved books, blogs, internet, exhibitions, films, music, and various experiments with folding and draping techniques.

The KR-SC-00001 is a testament to Dunkel's ability to overcome creative and technical challenges, as forming the character was the most challenging part of the design process. The design was awarded Silver in A' Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Award in 2017, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.