Designer Mijoda Dajomi has created the Daughters of Rain headwear collection, which can harvest rainwater in anticipation of future water shortages.
Created as Dajomi's graduate project at London College of Fashion, the collection consists of hats which double as vessels to collect and store rain water.
The rain-harvesting hats were designed to draw attention to the effects of climate change on weather and natural water sources.
"While my hats are designed to function as rainwater harvesting tools, their primary purpose of my work is to provoke thought, raise awareness and spark conversation about our relationship with water and the environment," Dajomi told Dezeen.
The hats were crafted with a waxed cotton fabric, donated through a sponsorship from luxury brand Barbour.
Dajomi then applied a beeswax coating to the fabric to ensure a maximum water repellency, which also creates a leather-like appearance.
"The organic beeswax coating was particularly essential on the inner vessel portion of the hats, where water is collected, ensuring that the fabric can effectively gather and retain rainwater without leaks," Dajomi said.
The shape of the headwear was informed by the attire of lay sisters – women who live in a convent, but are not members of the clergy – for their works of charity and devotion to social causes.
"These sisters embodied the mission of their orders, uniting women across the globe and throughout the centuries in a shared creative purpose," she explained.
The project envisions a world in 2085 where water is in short supply, with the Daughters of Rain emerging as a group akin to lay sisters to serve communities in crisis.
"While lay sisters engage in acts of service and sacrifice as part of their religious vocation, the Daughters of Rain serve their communities by collecting, managing and distributing rainwater," said Dajomi.
"They are imagined as key advocates in shaping a more sustainable, resilient and harmonious relationship between humanity and water, acting as guardians of rain's precious embrace."
Dajomi hopes the rain-harvesting hats will draw attention to the growing water crisis and other environmental issues.
"As a designer with a deep passion for the environment, nature and headwear design, my goal is to blend creativity with environmental consciousness," she said.
"My project aims to make an environmental statement, using the language of fashion to raise public awareness about critical ecological issues."
Dajomi is based in Berlin, Germany, graduating with an MA in Fashion Accessories and Product Design.
Other student projects from London College of Fashion to be featured on Dezeen include Harikrishnan's inflatable latex trousers and an adaptive clothing collection by Monika Dugar for people with Parkinson's disease.
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