Gaidama x Antoinette Wysocki Repurposed Gi - The Backpack
In our first production run of gis, we made some gi jackets with sleeves that were way too long. We consulted with our team of expert sewists in Houston, Texas and through our experience working together with them making up-cycled gi bags with our sibling company NU/FX, we decided to embark on Gaidama's first up cycling effort to repurpose these imperfectly fitted Perfect Fit Gi jackets into classy, cool, durable, functional bags for Jiu Jitsu lovers.
Carefully hand made in the USA, each backpack features a shell made from the same custom 400 gsm pearl weave we engineered for strength and resiliency for our Gaidama x Antoinette Wysocki Perfect Fit Gis. The interior is lined with a 290 gsm brushed cotton canvas to add structure and durability and to create a clean, uniform interior compartment. The gi backpack straps are the repurposed cotton wrapped EVA foam gi collars. Strips and bits of the beautiful and enchanting sublimated gi jacket liner featuring commissioned art by gallery level NYC based artist Antoinette Wysocki can be found trimming the zippered areas and accenting other reinforcements. A large, roomy interior space holds approximately 23L of bulky items like your gi, belt, nogi gear, and a change of clothes. A roomy exterior pocket adds security and separation for smaller items like your phone, wallet, keys, snacks, and mouthguard. All webbing, adjusters, and YKK molded zippers are sourced from American based companies.
The original gis are destructed and rebuilt into these beautiful, functional masterpieces by expert hands in Houston, Texas. We partner with a non-profit company in HTX which focuses on uplifting and revitalizing their local community. One of their industrial initiatives is to train local refugee women in commercial sewing and pay them living wages for their work, offer them flexible hours, and provide a safe and welcoming workspace for them and their children, whom many often bring to work. The result is an incredible Made in America gi bag with a socially impactful punch.