California Apparel News

New York Moves magazine recently enlisted Los Angeles designer—and former “Project Runway” contestant—Andrae Gonzalo to create a duffel bag to raise funds for charity.

Gonzalo took up the challenge and added another: His design would be stylish and charge mobile devices carried inside.

The Gonzalo-designed duffel bag has two independently functioning solar panels that can charge a cell phone, MP3 player or iPad connected to the attached USB jack. The solar panels were made by Los Angeles–based design house Silvr Lining.

Gonzalo’s duffel bag was introduced at a Sept. 5 Keep a Child Alive AIDS charity auction and will be available for sale beginning Sept. 16 at www.andraegonzalo.com.

Gonzalo learned about the Silvr Lining solar technology after working with Silvr Lining founder and design director Sandra Garratt on the company’s Go Collection of sustainable apparel with integrated solar panels.

“When New York Moves approached me about the bag for Keep a Child Alive, I asked Silvr Lining if they would be willing to donate panels for the event,” Gonzalo said, adding that the transition from solar-integrated apparel to solar-integrated accessory proved to be an easy one.

“There were actually very few challenges to working with the solar panels within an accessory context,” he said. “Their scale is compact enough that they fit neatly into a very traditional window-pocket construction. Frankly, the biggest challenges came from translating my original sketch into three dimensions, considering the unconventional angles that characterize the design.”

There are plans to develop an eco version of the duffel for Silvr Lining’s Go Collection, as well, Gonzalo said.

All styles in the Go Collection—including the Go Director’s Jacket, the Go Utility Vest, the Go Myer’s Topper and Go Cargo Pant—feature pockets with integrated solar panels. At 6 inches by 8 inches, the individual panels are small—about the size of a day planner, Gonzalo said.

“These panels have been specifically developed to be integrated within the items that we use daily—like coats and bags,” he said. “The panels are quite resilient, but like most electronics, they don’t respond well to severe impact or being submerged in water. All products that have been developed to date by myself and Silvr Lining have been designed so the panels can be removed before the garments or accessories are washed.”

Silvr Lining also sells individual solar panels, which can be customized for specific uses.

“Silvr Lining will create the proper input,” said Jamie Benson, digital-relations officer for Silvr Lining. “You can pick up different inputs from Silvr Lining for the same panel.”

The length of the charge depends on the device and how much energy is stored into the power reservoir, Benson added. “The panel stores the energy it absorbs, making them very efficient.”#8232;Founded in 2008 by Garrat, Silvr Lining also produces Dugwear, a collection of “dual-utility garments” made from eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, Supima and bamboo.

“All Dugwear styles are constructed from ecologically friendly materials, with the intention of improving health and reducing the consumer’s carbon footprint,” Gonzalo said.

Garratt also designs Modbox, a “modular dressing system” that can be layered and draped in a variety of ways. Silvr Lining products are sold direct to consumers through the company’s website at www.silvrlining.com. — Alison A. Nieder