The Spark

As a designer of backpacks for ski touring and alpine adventures, I think about functionality and dependability at every level — fabrics, threads, components, construction, and ultimately the craft that ties it all together.

Ease of use is always top of mind, but in the mountains I also have to consider survival. Nobody wants to imagine an accident — but when it happens, the last thing I want is for my gear to make things worse by breaking, jamming, or failing when it matters most.

That’s why I pay attention to products designed for extreme situations. When I came across a kids’ life jacket in a thrift store for one euro, I grabbed it with the idea of looking deeper into it — and maybe giving the materials a second life.

The Process

The jacket had a lot of character: faded fabric and prints, solid seams, sturdy webbing, even a built-in whistle. There wasn’t much material to work with, so I decided to turn it into a small pouch for everyday use.

I dismantled it carefully, keeping the original chest pocket intact. The front panels had to be pieced together with a slightly Z-shaped seam to make the dimensions work. Not impossible, but tricky.

I added a few new elements: thin ripstop for lining, a chunky white zipper, fresh thread. The result is simple in form, but layered with detail.

I’ve used the bag myself — it fits a notebook, pens, sunglasses and more, and the adjustable straps are surprisingly useful for carrying a hoodie or towel (I swim often).

The Why

What drew me in was how the original piece — designed purely for survival — already had an aesthetic and presence. Instead of seeing it as waste, I wanted to flex my skills and imagination to transform it into something else: an everyday object.

The bag still carries the colors, details, and spirit of that life jacket. But now it tells a new story. Maybe the user feels a little protected, maybe it sparks a memory of the sea, or maybe it just makes carrying their essentials feel a bit more secure.

If you have old gear with history, or ideas for what deserves a second life, let me know.