helveticus swiss army recycling collection
DESCRIPTION
The Helveticus range is made from vintage Swiss army blankets which were manufactured since 1900 and then stockpiled in bunkers by the Swiss army in preparation for a war which never came. When the army switched over to sleeping bags in the sixties, a clever cobbler named Titus Karlen started buying them to make bags and accessories in his old cobbler craft. The felted wool blankets were the ideal material for his heavy duty bags - and the unique look soon became a firm favourite with design afficionados in Zurich, before they spread to Berlin, New York and Tokyo. Karlen’s philosophy is to use recycled materials throughout, apart from the zips and fasteners, everything that goes into the items is ex-army standard issue. Due to differences in the blankets, every piece is unique and colour variations have to be expected. To this day every Helveticus product is handmade by the Karlen family business in the small village of Törbel in Switzerland.TRANSCRIPT
The Swiss Army Recycling Collection brings
together Swiss design, traditional craftsmanship and
the sturdiness of Swiss Army blankets - resulting
in a range of bags and accessories which have a
look and feel so unique, they could not originate
from anywhere but here - the Swiss alps.
In the tiny village of Törbel in canton Valais, a
booming cottage industry is producing this range
of fashionable products against a backdrop of
snowy peaks. In a tucked-away workshop, twelve
local women buzz away at sewing machines,
producing the distinctive brown-grey designs
with a red stripe and a white Swiss cross.
The collection is the brainchild of the local cobbler
Titus Karlen and his innovative son Hansjörg.
Titus, who has lived in the alpine village all his
life, used to make rucksacks for the Swiss army,
but as a result of army cutbacks, his orders
have dramatically decreased. ‘I had to look for
new ways to get business to make sure my
workshop survived,’ he says. ‘In the mountain
villages it’s hard to get work. I still make things
for the Swiss Army but not as many as before.’
After discovering that the Swiss army had
stockpiles of unused blankets left over from
their switch to sleeping bags in the sixties, they
quickly started incorporating the material into
their work. ‘They have tons of them in big holes
in the mountains’ Hansjörg explains. ‘They were
produced in case of war and we never had a war,
so now they’re old but actually never used.’
The wool is fairly coarse, which makes it ideal for
heavy duty bags - and the unique look soon became
a firm favourite with design afficionados in Zurich,
before it spread to Berlin, New York and Tokyo.
Karlen’s philosophy is to use recycled materials
throughout, apart from the zips and fasteners,
everything that goes into the items is ex-army
standard issue. The straps are disused gun leashes
and soldier’s belts act as seam strengtheners.
These handmade products contrast humbly
with a consumer world which is dominated by
transience and wastefulness – offering something
genuine and lasting, which suits today’s urban
environment just as much as the Swiss alps.
FROM TÖRBEL WITH LOVE
LADIES BOWLING BAG - WD58
Large padded bowling type handbag with zip and
two leather handles. Inner life: Large compartment,
canvas lined and reinforced floor. One inner pocket.
34cm x 20cm x 14cm
Item WD58
DAY BAG - WD201
Large shoulder bag with magnetic closure and twin
leather handle. Suitable for size A4 documents and
15” laptop. Inner life: Large compartment, fabric
lined, two inner pockets for mobile phone.
40cm x 31cm x 13cm
Item WD201
BIG TRAVEL BAG - WD32
The ultimate travel companion - an extremely robust
travel bag with padding, reinforced bottom, solid
zippers and leather straps. Inner life: Large fabric
lined compartment, one inner pocket.
63cm x 35cm x 24cm
Item WD32
LARGE MESSENGER BAG - WD74
Large lined messenger bag with a long adjustable
leather shoulder strap, buckle and large flap with velcro
closures. Suitable for size A4 documents, folders and
15” laptops. Perfect for guys and girls. Inner life: Large
compartment, fabric lined, one inner pocket.
35cm x 35cm x 6cm
Item WD74
SMARTPHONE POUCH - WD246
Keep your favourite gadget safe and scratch free
in this stylish and functional sleeve. Fits most
smartphones including iPhone 3GS and G4. Just pull
the strap and your multimedia companion slides
out with ease.
12cm x 8cm x 0.7cm
Item WD246
SLIPPERS - WD76
The ultimate footwear for long winter evenings at
home - super comfy slippers with leather sole.
Sizes S, M, L
Item WD76
UNISEX SHOULDER BAG - WD43
Very practical shoulder bag with lots of detail - for
girls and guys alike. Features long adjustable
shoulder strap and leather protected rims. Inner life:
Large compartment with velcro lid, fabric lined.
Two inner pockets
27cm x 27cm x 9cm
Item WD43
helveticus australiapo box 340, rozelle nsw 2039
p 02 8005 1887e [email protected] helveticus.com.au