‘How do you go from a medical aid to a powerful fashion-statement?’
With this question productdesigner Nina Van Herck (she/her) and artist Josefien Cornette (they/them) started their collaboration, organised by Flanders DC. They were selected for the Binômes of 2024, a project presented at FOR THE NOW 2024.
HUMN.AID is a collection of harnasses and accessoires, made for people with an insulinepump, catheder etc. It proves that disability, design and fashion are compatible. This projects breaks through the ‘norm’ and puts a lens on people with disabilities through pride and power.
HUMN.AID announces a revolution in design- and fashion, and places disability as a central theme on the agenda. Be proud and extravagant!
Throughout the design proces, three artists co-designed the collection of fashion-accessories: Hey Jude, Viva Sage and Turncoat Studios. They all provided their own interpretation of the harnas, based on the buckle and straps, designed by Nina. The straps are made of vegan mycelium leather, made by the company MycaNova.
Mycelium is the root-like structure of a fungus, which can grow underground or on decomposing tree trunks, but in this case is grown on molasses. All variations of MycaNova contain our exclusive mycelium powder, a 100% animal-free, upcycled, and bio-based material with the highest possible concentration. Their goal is to align with your sustainability objectives, which may include using bio-based and upcycled content, locally sourced components, solvent-free materials, low carbon footprint ingredients, or a combination of these targets, based on your performance and design choices.
The fasion accessories is made with the very biological molecule whom people with diabetes often struggle with. The harnasses are made costum made for people with a medical devices, but are most importantly colourful, fashionable and accessible for everyone.
More information about MycaNova.
Nina Van Herck (she/her) is a product designer whose ambition is to awaken emotions, start conversations and inject beauty into the everyday world. Her style is timeless, with an organic touch in which nature is her greatest source of inspiration. It is in Nina’s character to “care for”, and that is the guiding principle in her designs.
Josefien Cornette (they/them) is an artist and writer. They have a multidisciplinary practice touching on topics like disability, accessibility and the body. They have a background in fine arts, art history, feminism and critical disability studies. Their first book, Een Huis Dat Pijn Heet, was published in 2023 by Mammoet.
HUMN.AID is a collaboration with NoBabes Agency and MycaNova. The collection was build together with three other artists: Hey Jude, Viva Sage and Turncoat Studios. Styling was done by Finne Smets with pieces by Nanook Cools and Essentiel Antwerp. Lieven Storme was our make-up artist.
Our models and our experts by experience are Meike De Roest, Simon Ruts and Morgane Hutse.
HUMN.AID was made possible by Flanders DC.