Textiles and Design student uses fashion to aid rough sleepers

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Model Graeme Miller showcases garments designed by Callum Donnan.

Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design student Callum Donnan has created a clothing collection designed to assist homeless people.

“The Homely Pack” features multi-functional garments that are designed to protect rough sleepers from the elements.

Callum Donnan, currently completing his Masters at Heriot-Watt's Scottish Borders Campus, wanted to create a collection that would help vulnerable people for his final project.

He teamed up with Edinburgh-based organisation Social Bite to conduct research, connecting with people on the streets to hear first-hand what they need from their clothing.

Callum said: "The main feedback I got was the importance of warmth, shelter, and waterproof materials. From this, I came up with my concepts. I've made a jacket that turns into a tent, a bag that turns into a groundsheet and a unisuit which can be adjusted to fit people of a range of sizes.

"These multi-functional items garments provide warmth, shelter and protection from the elements, while being easily transported. This means that people are less weighed down, which is particularly important for people on the streets who may move around a fair bit.

"I was also conscious to make the items so that they would be able to be repurposed – the idea being that when someone no longer needs the items, such as if they find accommodation, they can pass them on to someone else."

The garments in Callum's collection are made from recyclable materials, provided by Halley Stevensons.

Dorothy Arnott, Marketing Manager at Halley Stevensons, said: "As a company, Halley Stevensons are happy to support students each year as we feel it is an investment into our industry – they are the designers of the future! We particularly felt that Callum's idea was interesting and demonstrated an innovative thought process to tackle a very real issue."

Callum's collection will be showcased at the Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design Masters Degree Show on Saturday 24 August.