When Fashion Walks the Talk
Sometimes, walking the talk feels effortless—like stumbling across a garment that stops you in your tracks. It’s meaningful, smart, and enduring - pure beauty. That’s exactly how I felt when I first saw the km/a blanket coat.
The Story Behind my km/a Blanket Coat
It was November 2013, at the first edition of the Sustainable Textiles Summit in downtown New York. Sass Brown, sustainable and ethical fashion leader, was wearing it, and I was captivated. Love at first sight. The coat was beautiful, enigmatic, powerful. By the time I learned its story and the philosophy behind it, I was past sold.
Photo credit: Daniel Sandu
The Blanket Coat—at least the batch that brought mine to life—carries a story as layered as its design. It’s crafted from blankets sourced from Austrian prisons, originally made by prisoners themselves, and later evolving into army blankets from various countries. The coat is reversible, with sturdy buttons that feel as reliable as they are timeless. Thoughtful details like the longer upper cuff, designed to shield hands from the cold while maintaining practicality, speak to its functionality. And then there’s the high neck—both protective and evocative, radiating an unapologetic sense of pride.
Km/a is a Vienna-based label that creates modern garments from non-traditional, end-of-life materials. Their philosophy is rooted in circularity and craftsmanship. Each piece is handcrafted in their studio, designed to give new life to materials with history—parachutes, alpine blankets, tent tarpaulins. These materials carry stories, and km/a transforms them into something new, with all the tension and contrast that entails.
And there’s a cherry on the ice cream… Did you wonder what km/a stands for? Keep Me Alive. What can I tell you… it doesn’t get more beautiful than this. Poetic.
As for the blanket coat? It’s been with me for over 10 years, and every time I wear it, I smile. I feel connected to something bigger. It’s a piece that allows me to walk the talk with ease and grace. It’s an investment that’s paid off in practical service and enduring joy. I’ve even been asked if I’d sell it (I wouldn’t be able to!).
Keeping me warm in winter, dry from light rain, covering me from a transatlantic airplane’s air conditioner, covering my neck from cool winds, keeping me cool each time I wear it.
Thank you dear coat, here’s to more adventures together!
Photo credit: Daniel Sandu
This coat embodies everything I admire in good design. It’s beautiful, meaningful, circular, practical, usable, and enduring. I have been meaning to write about it for years. So, there my love letter!
And as I did so, it inspired me to reflect on what makes a garment truly special. So, I took a chance at defining the criteria for good fashion design at WalkingDTalk.
What Makes a Garment Truly Special?
Every time I look at, slip on, or even think about my most cherished garments—like my km/a blanket coat—they spark something deeper than just a smile -which is already a something valuable. These pieces don’t just sit in my wardrobe, they stand out because they embody certain qualities that I find myself drawn to again and again. They’re not just clothes—they’re reflections of thoughtful design, intentionality, and values.
After years of loving, wearing, and reflecting on these pieces, I’ve distilled what makes them so special into five key criteria. These aren’t just checkboxes—they’re the pillars of what I believe good fashion design should be.
Here’s what I’ve uncovered:
Beauty
A piece must captivate visually, but also evoke a deeper sense of harmony. It’s not just about how it looks—it’s about how it makes you feel. Beauty in design resonates with the messages we want to portray and reflects the care and love that went into its creation.
Smartness
Clever, thoughtful design that truly meets the user’s needs—even the ones they didn’t know they had. This often translates into functionality: clothes that work with us, not against us. From fit to fabric, they should feel like an extension of ourselves and empower us.
Sustainability
Good design respects the planet and people. Circularity, ethical production, and thoughtful materials are non-negotiable. Plus, designing with alternative materials and sustainable practices isn’t just ethical—it’s bold and leads to real innovation.
Durability
Timeless design that lasts—both in quality and style. When I love a piece, I know I’ll love it today, tomorrow, and in 10 years. It’s not just about lasting fabric, it’s about enduring appeal.
Meaning
A garment that tells a story, connects us to its origins and process, and thus, can invite to transformation. Some pieces carry more than fabric—they carry history, craftsmanship, and a message. Meaningful design transforms clothing into something personal and powerful.
Good design isn’t just about aesthetics—or maybe it’s about aesthetics taken to the highest level of realization-. It’s about intention. It’s about creating pieces that align with our values, enhance our lives, and stand the test of time. At WalkingDTalk, this is the standard I hold for fashion: beautiful, functional, sustainable, durable, and meaningful.
We may not always get all in one, but searching for and finding such qualities in a garment piece, will take us further in caring for it as it cares for us.
What’s a piece in your wardrobe that embodies these qualities? How does it make you feel? I’d love to hear your stories—share them in the comments or tag me on Instagram. Let’s celebrate the kind of design that makes us feel alive!