Signal Utility Vest

Student Name : Bill Bakalakos

Mentor Name :

Company : CHIMAR

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Bill Bakalakos_3
Bill Bakalakos_2

Green Producer Diary

My Motivation

I wanted to create a vest that gives a second life to an existing material while keeping a strong and functional identity. The bold orange surface and utility details express visibility, structure, and practicality. For me, sustainability means looking at what already exists and transforming it into something relevant instead of starting from new production. This project was a way to connect contemporary workwear aesthetics with conscious making.

My Vetrine Journey 

I started the project by studying the available canvas fabric and thinking about how it could become a structured vest. From the beginning, I wanted the design to feel practical, clean, and durable. I experimented with the position of the pocket and the front opening so that the garment would have both utility and a clear visual identity. One of the main challenges was working with a heavy canvas material that keeps its shape but can be difficult to handle in construction. The zipper placement also required attention so that the vest would be functional and stable. As the prototype developed, I simplified some lines in order to reduce waste and keep the design direct. I focused on strong seams and a compact construction that supports long-term use. The process taught me that sustainable design is not only about the material source, but also about durability, purpose, and careful decision-making. In the end, the vest became a prototype that reflects both experimentation and responsibility.

 

Sustainability Aspect

Your Actions / Explanation

Environmental

I reused a pre-existing heavy textile instead of relying on new fabric production, minimized waste during cutting, and designed the vest as a durable piece meant for repeated use.

Social

The garment was developed through a transparent small-scale making process, showing how conscious design can create value from materials that might otherwise be discarded.

Financial

The cost stayed low because the main material already existed, while the final vest was designed to be sturdy, repairable, and useful over time.

 

A Message to Consumers

I would like people to see this vest as an example of how reuse can lead to a bold and contemporary garment. Behind it there is a deliberate effort to create value, function, and longevity from materials that already had a previous life.

A Message to Future Learners

Start from the materials you already have and let them guide your design decisions. Sustainable fashion does not need to be perfect from the beginning – it grows through experimentation, repair, and responsible choices.

Product Details

Product Name

Signal Utility Vest

Reference / SKU

VETRINE-BILLBAKALAKOS-VEST-ORNG-0001

 

Color

Bright orange with black zipper

Size

One size prototype

Weight

Approx. 520 g

Quantity (if multi-pack)

One

Materials Information

Composition

Upcycled heavy canvas fabric, zipper, sewing thread

% of Recycled Materials: approx. 85% upcycled textile content
Reusability: Reusable as an everyday layering vest
Recyclability: Partially recyclable through textile recycling after separating the zipper

Main body – upcycled heavy canvas fabric from a pre-used textile source
Front pocket – matching reclaimed fabric
Closure – zipper
Additional materials – sewing thread

Manufacturing & Supply Chain

1

Location

Greece

 

2

Date

Material selection: 2026-01-21
Design planning: 2026-01-28
Pattern cutting: 2026-02-02
Pocket and zipper construction: 2026-02-08
Assembly and sewing: 2026-02-13
Final finishing: 2026-02-16

3

Type of processes

Material selection, concept development, pattern cutting, pocket construction, zipper insertion, sewing, assembly, finishing

supply chain map

  • Tier 4Raw material

  • Tier 3Material processing

  • Tier 2Component manufacturing

  • Tier 1Final assembly

Environmental & Social Impact

Upcycled, low-waste, durable, reusable, repairable

 

% of Recycled Materials: approx. 85% upcycled textile content
Reusability: Reusable as an everyday layering vest
Recyclability: Partially recyclable through textile recycling after separating the zipper

16 hours, EUR 12

 

Care, Repair & Lifetime Extension

1

Care Instructions

Spot clean when possible, hand wash cold if needed, air dry, do not bleach, do not tumble dry

 

2

Repair Information

Repair: replace zipper or reinforce seams if needed
Discard: donate for reuse or recycle through textile collection after disassembly