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PROTECTED: Shelana’s son, Rimarni, wears the fashionable ‘pierce- resistant’ gilet

A BIRMINGHAM fashion student is producing protective street wear with aspirations of reducing the number of people falling victim to knife crime.

Shelana Morton created the ‘pierce-resistant’ gilet as part of her final year project at Birmingham City University’s School of Fashion and Textiles, after losing loved ones to knife crime.

CONCERNS

Nearly 700 children aged under 17 were attacked or threatened with a knife in the West Midlands last year. Thirteen of the victims were just 10 years old.

“The driving force behind my garment came from the pain and suffocation I have felt over the years from having to say goodbye to family members and friends due to knife crime,” said Shelana, 32, who has added concerns for her own teenage son, Rimarni, who modelled the item for her and his peers.

“He leaves school next year and I get worried about him even if he is late coming back from school. It’s not that I don’t trust him, but knife crime is not just affecting young people in gangs anymore.

“I have lost close friends and members of my own family since 2006, that’s why I understand the impact it is having and what pushed me to create the design.”

Shelana’s unisex gilet features a layer of ‘kevlar’, a protective fabric which forms part of uniforms worn by army, military and police officers which helps to prevent slash and puncture wounds.

PICTURED: Shelana Morton

“Designing a garment that can appeal to everyone was very important to me, as being a victim of knife crime can unfortunately happen to anybody, anywhere and at any time.”

As part of the design process, Shelana conducted focus groups with youngsters across the West Midlands, and the feedback shocked her: “An 11-year-old told me that my gilet garment could save his life. What world do we live in when a child as young as 11 is saying that?

“I want to be able to let go of the constant fear and anxiety I have for my loved ones, wondering if they are safe.”

VALUE

The hood of the fashion student’s sleeveless jacket includes phrases ‘Protect yourself with language not violence’, ‘Value your life’ and ‘Do you want to live with blood on your hands?’.

“My garment gives me a sense of relief and reassurance and I want others to be able to feel safe and protected, knowing they can wear an item of clothing that can potentially protect them from harm. Honouring my loved one’s memories in the process is an exhilarating feeling.”

Next month, Shelana will start studying towards a degree in fashion at Birmingham City University.

She has had a lifelong interest in fashion and started her current course as a career changer having previously worked in the care sector.