Crafted Liberation by RK Collective reimagines discarded headscarves from Iranian women as stadium seating, turning a symbol of restriction into one of strength and visibility. The project reflects themes of empowerment, resilience, and collective expression while fostering spaces for inclusion, conversation, and community.
WasticFiber is an innovative composite material developed from discarded soft plastic bags combined with sustainable natural fibers. This blend creates lightweight yet durable composite sheets with enhanced structural performance. In the material, recycled plastic functions as the binding agent, while the fabric layers provide reinforcement, visual character, and texture through vibrant patterns and colors. Depending on the intended application, the fabric element may include organic textiles, recycled fabric waste, glass fiber, or combinations of these materials.
Highly adaptable in use, WasticFiber can either remain as flat sheets or be compression-molded into a variety of forms using affordable tooling methods. Its appearance can be customized through fabric selection, while surface finishes can be altered using textured moulds during production. Beyond material innovation, WasticFiber also serves as a storytelling medium, embedding the history and cultural significance of the textiles within each final product.
One notable application of the material is Crafted Liberation, a collection of stadium seats produced from unwanted headscarves donated by Iranian women worldwide. These pieces communicate stories of resistance against political and social oppression while transforming discarded textiles into meaningful public objects.
Drawing on extensive experience in advanced composite design and manufacturing, the creators shaped the lightweight material into bucket-style stadium seats inspired by classic fiberglass seating methods. The result preserves the durability, strength, and lightweight performance expected from traditional shell seating while introducing a more sustainable and socially conscious material alternative.
