Student Designs Coat To Keep Homeless Warm

Veronika Scott designed the Element Survival Coat. It's made out of a housing insulation, and either recycled wool or any sort of synthetic fiber. The college student in Detroit passed out copies of her design to the homeless. The coat doubles as a sleeping bag.

RENEE MONTAGNE, Host:

Today's last word in business is Element Survival Coat. That's the name of a product developed for consumers who don't have a lot of money to pay.

STEVE INSKEEP, Host:

The coat is the creation of a college student in Detroit, Veronika Scott, who wants to keep homeless people warm on winter nights by passing out copies of her design.

VERONIKA SCOTT: It's made out of Tyvek, which is housing insulation, and either recycled wool or any sort of synthetic fiber.

MONTAGNE: Scott is 21 years old. She's a design student. She spent time with homeless people in some of the city's toughest neighborhoods.

SCOTT: And then I noticed a lot of playgrounds and abandoned homes covered in clothing, in tarps and stuff made into makeshift homes.

INSKEEP: So she designed a coat that doubles as a sleeping bag. The CEO of the outerwear company Carhartt was so impressed that he gave Scott money, material and industrial sewing machines. She plans to produce the coats locally, possibly using the labor of homeless people.

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INSKEEP: That's the business news on MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.

MONTAGNE: And I'm Renee Montagne.

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