Sheltersuit x Food for Skin toiletry bag

Sheltersuit is a Dutch social enterprise that makes jackets that can be converted into sleeping bags for people without permanent housing. The products are sustainably produced, often from recycled materials, and partly made in sheltered workshops where people with limited access to the labor market work. The goal is to provide immediate protection against the cold and rain and to contribute to structural solutions for homelessness.

Since 2014, Sheltersuit has distributed 40,661 Sheltersuits and Shelterbags, created 251 job and development opportunities, and given 197,641 kilos of residual materials a new life.

The toiletry bag is made from recycled materials. For us, this means repurposing existing fabrics, rather than requiring new raw materials. This product includes Deltex: a strong, weather-resistant material normally used in sleeping bags. By repurposing materials, we reduce waste and extend the lifespan of fabrics that would otherwise be lost. No two bags are the same; every finish and color combination tells its own story. Even the zippers are upcycled: components that would otherwise be destroyed, but now gain new value.

For us, sustainability goes beyond just materials. The toiletry bags are crafted in the Sheltersuit workshop. The workshop is a place where craftsmanship is learned, talent can develop, and self-esteem grows. Each bag not only contributes to less waste but also to a better future for people. The design is by Oksana, who came to the Netherlands as a refugee from Ukraine and is now a permanent member of the Sheltersuit team. She started behind the sewing machine and gradually found her way back to her original background as a designer. Today, she works as a production assistant in sampling and quality control. Her story illustrates what this project is truly about: not only giving materials a second life, but also people.