Australian label Helveticus turns Switzerland’s old army blankets into stylish and sustainable accessories.
Once upon a time the Swiss army stockpiled these blankets in their bunkers and depots throughout the Alps in case of war. However there never was any conflict, and when the blankets were replaced with sleeping backs in the 60s they become obsolete. Where many people saw waste Switzerland’s Karlen family saw a fashion opportunity. They use their cobbling knowledge to turn the blankets into handbags and other accessories. These items are then distributed throughout Australia and the world by Helveticus.
Each Helveticus bag proudly boasts its history. The virgin wool fabric is emblazoned with a red panel and white Swiss cross, so there’s no doubt about its origins. The use of leather on the straps and trim might lose Helveticus a few green points, but it’s worth noting that it uses recycled leather wherever possible. The leather is either taken from soldiers’ belts and gun leashes or sourced from local Swiss tanneries which use traditional production methods.
The Helveticus handbags are available at selected Australian boutiques and the label’s online store. Unfortunately with the Aussie dollar going strong these handbags aren’t the bargains they once were, but they’re so well made it’s probably worth international fans paying a little more for.
