When disaster strikes, one of the first items that’s handed out as a means of humanitarian aid is a blanket. Not only will it keep the recipient warm, but also gives a protective hug to the wearer, which is of vital importance to those who have lost everything. The “Given Coat”, designed by textile artist Anna Leschinger, is a warm blanket that transforms into a coat without any need for sewing—just a few minor adjustments. Each coat consists of a 60 x 78-inch blanket that has 8 holes and 14 feet of straps, which wrap around and through the blanket to convert it.
Adults aren’t the only ones who suffer in troubled times, so Anna has also designed a convertible blanket for children, which transforms into a soft, cuddly toy bear. An inbuilt string system allows the bear to be created with just a few tucks, and can bring immense comfort to those who are traumatized. Both the bear blanket and the Given Coat can be re-created with any kind of textile and straps/or ropes with minimal expense and time. As such, it can be reproduced easily, anywhere in the world.
The article above was submitted to us by an Inhabitat reader. Want tosee story on Inhabitat? Send us a tip by following this link. Remember to follow ourinstructions carefully to boost your chances of being chosen for publishing!
