Innov_Ex Prize
Jan-Fahrenheit Betros won the 2007 Innovation for Extremes prize for students and new independent designers.
RÖJKJan-Fahrenheit Betros is a young Swedish designer who has just launched his own company CKF- Nordic, for distribution and freelance in sportswear and design. His sportswear brand is RÖJK
Jan's design takes a base layer pullover and optimised it for active sports. It is fresh, simple and highly functional.
Overview of design:
Hood
The hood is integrated and simple but
well cut. It functions as a warm collar when down and is easy to wear
without the need for zippers and cords. When the hood is up it grips
the back of the head and turns with the user maintaining vision whilst
moving. These functions are achieved by clever pattern cutting and not
by additional components.
Pattern Cutting
The body of the garment and
sleeves are cut in an unusual way. This maximises the freedom of
movement for the user without increasing weight or complexity. Colour
is built into the functional panels rather than a style overlaid onto
the finished garment.
Fabric
His choice of fabric shows a well
developed judgement of garment drape and also of selling arguments. Jan
searched for appropriate fabrics and even contacted Doug Lumb at
Polartec. Jan selected environmentally friendly Polartec fabrics based
on recycled polyester bottles. The trims and threads are also 100%
polyester so recycling is easy. This is a point often missed by other
designers.
No Pockets
There are no zips and no pockets
as both are unnecessary. The user already has many pockets on other
garments and zips on a lightweight pullover simply cause drag and poor
movement.
Judges
Samantha Fountain
James Dyson Design Award Winner,
British Female Inventor and Innovator Network Award Winner 2006
Mark Pedley
Director of Smartlife Technology, technology transfer entrepreneur
Mick Farnworth
Purchasing Manager Hardware, Mammut Sports Group AG
Winner of the Sir Denis Rourke Award
Judges Comments:
‘Jan's design impressed us with its combination of simplicity and functionality. He had taken a base layer pullover and optimised it for active sports. Although this sounds easy, he went against the current trends and achieved an elegant minimalism. The design is very pure and relies on good choice of fabric and efficient pattern cutting rather than "bells and whistles".’
We were also impressed by Jan's character. We felt that he embodies the spirit of the user innovators who built the outdoor industry. He tested the products himself and the design has clearly had several iterations before it was ready to be presented. He truly believes in his product and is prepared to stand behind it.
''Innovative guy with an innovative product in two ways: He's used a current technology (using recycled fabric) to promote the innovative style and design of the clothing. The design and fabric is hitting the market at exactly the right time – there is currently a real demand for both Recycled fabric is not promoted enough- this product will promote this process. Jan could promote the recycled clothing market as well as putting his brand on the map. Jan is already living the dream that his product promises to give. He's an old fashioned entrepreneur in a very modern world. Simple design, well thought out, right for now!'
