The choice of material stems from the aim to avoid chemical processing of cotton, ensuring the use of an environmentally friendly mono-material that is easier to repair, recycle, or biodegrade at the end of its life cycle. Moreover, the factory from which the fabric originates uses only synthetic dyes, and the dyeing process requires large amounts of water, which becomes polluted in the process. This material choice eliminates that issue.

At the equator in Kenya, sunlight is predominantly intense. The experience of this, and the need to find shade during the day, inspired the design and prototype. Since walking is a common mode of transport in Kenya, a lightweight, collapsible shade can be a valuable aid – providing shelter both for people and for the food they carry. The cut is deliberately simple to avoid waste. The design also takes into account the factory’s capacities and workers’ skills. The seams are easy to execute on local machines, and the product is made entirely from textiles.