NOT FOR CLIMBING

When creating clothing for Mor we chose to create a statement piece that was designed using rules integral to climbing: hardened areas versus stretch areas, layers that can be worn when climbing and layers that can be added for warmth after exercising and pockets that are easily accessed when climbing.

Mor Sapir is a para-climber who lost all his fingers when he was caught in a snowstorm in Nepal. Sheer Cohen and I met with Mor as part of a collaborative project between the Shenkar Textile and Fashion departments and the Paralympic Committee of Israel.

As part of the project, Sheer and I looked for metal shackles to use as accessories. When we saw that they all had “Not for Climbing” engraved on them, we were inspired to make this the moto of our entire collaboration, as Mor was told so many times that he could not be a climber after he lost his fingers. Furthermore, the outfit we created is in fact “not for climbing” but rather a design piece that encompasses climbing motifs.

Knit and Weave using Polyester and Cotton.

For inspiration we focused on Mor’s goals. Having won a silver medal in the International Paraclimbing Master competition, his next goal is the Paralympics 2020, which will be in Tokyo. This will be the first Olympics where climbing and bouldering will be a competing sport. When we created the final look, we took inspiration from an iconic Tokyo landmark, the Shibuya Crosswalk.

Mor was open to all ideas, his only request was that the outfit we design for him not represent another “accessibility” project, as he does not feel disabled and can do everything.