PILIUS Raincoat for Wheelchair Users
Author: PILIUS
Published: 2015/12/17 - Updated: 2020/04/14
Category Topic: Wheelchair Accessories - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: PILIUS is a unique raincoat for wheelchair users that pays particular attention to contemporary aesthetics and functionality. Petja Zorec is part of the new wave of Slovenian fashion designers, bold enough to fuse contradictions, resulting in surprising and beautiful ready-to-wear.
Introduction
Designed for people with disabilities, the PILIUS is a unique raincoat for wheelchair users featuring contemporary aesthetics and functionality, fast and effective protection against rain and the elements, high performance clothing, functional outerwear, best quality materials, contemporary look, individuality, translucency, and customized features.
Main Content
The project is based on a proactive approach to creating a designer product that benefits those with both temporary and permanent limited mobility.
PILIUS is a unique raincoat for wheelchair users that pays particular attention to contemporary aesthetics and real functionality - providing fast and effective protection against rain and the elements. This exceptional raincoat covers the entire body as well as the wheelchair, without interfering with the wheelchair's maneuverability or overall operation.
Pilius fits snugly into a discreet bag with Velcro loops that fit onto the push handles or push bar of any manual wheelchair.
On the lower part of the bag are two zippers that open from the middle out-wards. With one simple move, the user pulls the sewn-in reflective strap and unfolds the raincoat from the back of the wheelchair.
Pilius is fashioned from a waterproof, windproof and vapor-permeable material made by Schoeller, a Swiss company specialized in high-tech textiles commonly used for sports and active lifestyle applications. The translucent fabric helps create a contemporary, urban look and emphasizes the individual style of the user.
Features like a thoughtfully designed hood, extended and reinforced sleeves, customized strapping options and reflective tape that provides high-visibility, are all designed and constructed to fit the body perfectly, providing real comfort and protection.
A front pocket for smaller, personal items can also be used to stow the raincoat in a small, more compact package.
Petja Zorec the Designer
Petja Zorec is part of the new wave of Slovenian fashion designers, bold enough to fuse contradictions, resulting in surprising and beautiful ready-to-wear.
In 2013 she finished MA in Fashion design from Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering at University of Ljubljana, where she now works as an assistant. She is a regular feature on Ljubljana's fashion week. Her collections meet the demands of everyday life with bending gender specifics and pre-conceived ideas. By combining traditional textile techniques with hi-tech, often athletic materials her clothes effortlessly shift back and forth between work and play, slow and superfast, cozy and cerebral.
Petja Zorec designs sportswear inspired menswear with emphasis on knitwear that can and should be worn by women also. Her liberating, innovative approach to design is getting more and more attention from individuals and companies, working in other creative industries, lining up exciting exhibitions and collaborations.
During her short career she received numerous national and international awards such as Awards for Special Achievements (University of Ljubljana), Month of Design Award; Prospects - fashion design, highest national students award; Preseren Award for best diploma, award for Sustainable Development of Republic of Slovenia, first prize in international creative DESIGN (DIS)ABILITY challenge and many others.
Collaborations: Squat, Calypso Crystal, Peter Movrin, TranzitStore London, Open Style Lab (MIT), Made in Slovenija.
Publications: Elle Slovenia, Modna, Schon Magazine, David Magazine, Ambient, Delo, Male Model Scene, Not Just A Label, Tedore, Branko Popovic Blog, Push It Magazine, DesignEast, Dressful, DCMU.
Web: www.design-dis-ability.com
E-mail: pilius@design-dis-ability.com
Kickstarter campaign: www.kickstarter.com/projects/1619665743/pilius-raincoat-for-wheelchair-users
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by PILIUS and published on 2015/12/17, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.