Innovation for Extremes Prize

This annual prize was introduced in 2007 by the organisers of the Innovation for Extremes conference, Mike Parsons and Mary Rose and has been sponsored by NWTexnet.
 
It is to encourage future innovators in the outdoor trade. A cash prize of £500 + £500 towards expenses of attending a major outdoor trade show is offered to current masters and PhD students, recent graduates (from last 3 years) and new independent designers, (established in last 3 years). Entrants are judged by the following criteria:

1 Research into related past inventions
2 Understanding of users
3 Understanding of what is needed and what is possible
4 Clear definition of product benefits
5 Display and poster at conference

If you are interested in entering for 2009 download more details and entry form

2008 Prize Winner

Lisa Alberti is a Product Design Teacher in a Manchester Secondary School, currently studying for an MSc in Clothing Product Development at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Lisa Alberti with Greg Care (Paramo) and Sam Fountain

Lisa’s comments:

The idea for the product began as i researched existing products and found there to be no base layers for women that offer bust support, or even consider the female form and its requirements during high impact activity. I have taken the prototype as far as I can with regards manufacture, having to now source components and manufacturers to finalise a prototype. I am thrilled to have won the competition, it has given me a real confidence boost in my abilities to develop clothing solutions.

An innovation in design and production methods, this garment will give both physiological and psychological comfort to women taking part in all cycling activity from low to high impact. Giving a pre molded shape that women desire with support and impact absorption where needed. the fabric used was sponsored by Nylatex.

2008 Judges

Samantha Fountain
James Dyson Design Award Winner and Award winner 
British Female Inventor and Innovator Network 2006

Graham Thompson
Technical Editor TRAIL Magazine

Judges Comments

1:There were some excellent entries into the competition showing some inventive ideas. The base-layer for female bikers by Lisa Alberti particularly attracted my attention as it tackled an area of outdoor clothing and equipment that is so often bypassed by popular brands; women’s products.

While there has been a steady growth in women’s gear over recent years, in many ways women in the outdoors are still treated as secondary, with most innovation directed firstly into male ‘unisex’ gear and then migrating into the women’s products.

The base-layer for female bikers tackles one of the most common issues for women wanting to be more active in the mountains. The garment combines bust support and a wicking base layer into one garment, thereby removing the need for a support garment and an additional base layer. The problem with wearing two garments, a support bra and a base layer is that straps often rub and dig in. Double layers of fabric add further discomfort due to their extra insulation and reduce wicking ability.

This development could easily improve the comfort of active women and encourage them to take part in outdoor activity. Furthermore the development could be incorporated into a range of garments for a wide variety of activities. This means it could represent a realistic business opportunity that could successfully establish a branded range of products.

In conclusion this product is innovative and potentially a realistic business platform that could make active women more comfortable and therefore encourage further participation of outdoor activity by the female population anywhere in the world. For these reasons it won the Innovation for Extremes Prize for new designers.

2: Lisa’s design is a simple and effective base layer for female mountain bikers. Lisa is hitting the outdoor market with this design at a very good time. The last few years have seen a development in specific women’s clothing designed for the outdoors but more importantly designed for the female form – and we’d like to see even more! The women’s top does more than take a regular man’s top and make it pink! In fact, not only is the design supportive for the female bust, it is also aesthetically ‘cool looking’ without any pink or girly flower in sight!  I believe the technology used to support the bust could be used for clothing in many more markets than just mountain bikers. Hopefully we will see Lisa working with some big brands (or perhaps creating her own) to get her design worn by many sports women.

< View the 2007 Prize Winner