Posted by Lorenzo van Sichem
on October 07, 2020
In 2019, KLM celebrated its 100th anniversary. For this special milestone, KLM wanted to develop a unique collection, which led them to i-did. It turned out that a material was available that literally came from their own organization: KLM Sky Blue, our felt made from decommissioned KLM uniforms.
Together, we developed the Limited Sky Blue collection. In addition, we created felt houses for travelers and brought our sewing machines to various KLM events, where our participants worked on the collection on-site. This is how recycled KLM textiles, new products, and i-did’s social work came together in a single anniversary project.
Source: KLM
How it began
In February 2019, two KLM employees visited our studio in The Hague. They were responsible for the collection marking KLM's 100th anniversary and wanted to explore what i-did could contribute. One of them already owned a bag made from our felt and wondered if something similar could be created from old KLM uniforms.
What she didn't know at that moment was that it was already happening. KLM Sky Blue, made from worn blue cabin crew uniforms, was already part of our collection. Clothing supplier Sodexo pointed this out to them, and thus the idea was born to repurpose the textile for KLM as a special anniversary collection.
Source: KLM
The Limited Sky Blue collection
For the anniversary collection, KLM and i-did selected four products from our collection at the time: the Mireille bag, Ramzia toiletry bag, Saida laptop sleeve, and the Kim phone case. Naturally, the products were made in KLM Sky Blue, the felt made from decommissioned KLM uniforms. Orange accents and a special KLM label made the products a recognizable part of the anniversary collection.
A text label was also added to each product with information about the material's origin and the collection. This not only made it clear that it was a special KLM product, but also where the material came from. The Limited Sky Blue collection was then available via the KLM Shop.
A KLM house for birthday travelers
For the 100th anniversary, we also made special KLM houses in KLM Sky Blue. For this, too, we used felt that originated from decommissioned KLM uniforms. The houses were given to travelers flying with the airline on KLM's birthday.
Each house came with information about the material and the people who made it. This way, travelers received not just an anniversary gift, but also the story behind the recycled KLM textile and the social production at i-did.
Photo source (left): KLM employee, from uniform to a new product
From KLM uniform to a new product
The Limited Sky Blue collection shows what is possible when decommissioned corporate clothing can no longer be used as apparel. The textile can become a raw material for new felt and subsequently reappear in new products or other applications.
We now do this in our own Factory in The Hague. With you-felt, we explore what is possible with decommissioned corporate textiles: from felt as a material to interior, acoustic, and lifestyle applications.
From KLM uniform to a new product
The Limited Sky Blue collection shows what is possible when decommissioned corporate clothing can no longer be used as apparel. The textile can become a raw material for new felt and subsequently reappear in new products or other applications.
We now do this in our own Factory in The Hague. With you-felt we explore what is possible with decommissioned corporate textiles: from felt as a material to interior, acoustic, and lifestyle applications.
Taking our sewing machines to KLM
The collaboration didn't just take place in our studio. During various KLM events, we brought our sewing machines, and i-did participants worked on the collection on-site. This allowed visitors to see the production up close and meet the people and hear the social story behind i-did.
We were present at events such as the KLM 100 Years museum during the KLM Open and the KLM Experience, which took place over several days in a large hangar. Each day of the Experience focused on a different target audience. By producing on-site, it became visible who made the products and what the work at i-did looked like.
What can be done with your corporate clothing?
Do you have decommissioned corporate clothing and are you curious if the textile can be given a new application? With you-felt, we explore the possibilities the material offers. We test the textile and see how it can be processed into new felt.
That felt can subsequently return as material on a roll, in interior and acoustic applications, or in products for employees and business relations. View the possibilities of you-felt or contact us to discuss your textile stream.
Want to know more about the material?
KLM Sky Blue is still part of our permanent i-felt collection. By now, KLM Night Sky is also being made from decommissioned KLM pilot uniforms.
