Giving used materials a new life is called “recontextualizing” at FREITAG. Whereas similar reincarnations such as From Frog Till Prince or the Cinderella upcycling do not reveal exactly how the transformation process happened and thus leave consumers in the dark, we want to lay our cards on the table.
Transforming used truck tarps into highly functional, unique bags takes place in five highly complex stages at the F-actory:
1. RAW MATERIALS
Anyone who has ever kissed a frog knows that only the best and most beautiful raw materials can be recontextualized into satisfactory R.I.P.s (Recycled Individual Products). And those are rather scarce. A logistical grand offensive is needed to track down so many truck tarps precisely when they are being retired after five to ten years on the road.
2. CUTTING THE TARPS
In our opinion, the Cutting Department at Nœrd is the only place in the world where violence is sometimes the only solution since used tarps are not sold by the yard and you can’t just measure and cut out the amount you need for your bag parts. They are reinforced with buckles, belts and eyelets to keep them on their trucks for years – and all that has to go.
3. WASHING
The tarps are beautified due to the accumulation of many layers of snowy slush, acid rain, acrid exhaust fumes, fine dust particles and the usual grime from all over Europe. That all has to be gotten rid of, however, so we need our two gigantic washing machines, lots of Zurich rainwater and our tarp washers.
4. BAG DESIGN
Other designers produce sketches – our designers create bags. One after the other with a sharp knife at the ready. This is where the process takes place that makes our products one-of-a-kind in the truest sense of the word: each one is unique because there is not another one like it in the world.
5. SEWING
The cut-out tarp pieces have to leave the F-actory in order to complete the transformation. The FREITAG bags are sewn according to our instructions by longstanding partners in Switzerland and in the nearby countries of Portugal, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Tunisia. When the finished FREITAG bags and accessories finally return home, they then have to pass a few hard tests.
And here are photos from my latest collaboration with FREITAG for Ciputra University Design Week, Inovation by FREITAG ;)
And here is our family portrait of FREITAG Indonesia :)
Denim Shirt - Burton Mens Wear London
Tank Top - Pull and Bear
Jogger Pants - Zara
Shoes - Pedro
Bag - Freitag
