300 KanaN cloaks will be distributed to rescue workers

The KanaN cloak is a garment that was developed by Clara Jazmín Santos Padilla , Diana Xóchitl Marín Torres and Paulina Elena Romero Laureano , Industrial Design students at the University Center of Art, Architecture, and Design ( Centro Universitario de Arte, Arquitectura y Diseño abbreviated CUAAD ) of the University of Guadalajara in Mexico .

The garment was originally designed to protect Central American migrants traveling through Mexico en route to the United States hopping aboard freight trains colloquially known as “ La Bestia ” ( The Beast ) from inclement weather.

300 KanaN cloaks will be distributed to rescue workers

The KanaN cloak is a portable garment made of a special repellent nylon fabric , which protects from rain, sun, and cold. The fabric is waterproof, it cuts the wind and it allows to perspire when exposed to the sun. Its design allows the user to be in a fetal position while covering their legs, and it has sleeves that cover the knuckles a body part that is dangerously exposed when the migrants try to hop aboard “ La Bestia .”

Yet, the KanaN cloack has a new target user: rescue workers providing aid after Mexico's recent earthquakes , an 8.2-magnitude quake on Thursday, September 7 followed by a 7.1-magnitude quake on Tuesday, September 19 .

Three hundred rescue workers

in Mexico City , Morelos and Oaxaca will be benefited since the students decided to help their country after the devastating earthquakes.

"We have started the production of 300 KanaN cloaks with the help of volunteers at the CUAAD. The Fashion Design Department donated the thread to sew all the layers, "said Marín Torres.

She mentioned that they have an agreement with the Zapopan Government's Migrant Care Unit , which will help them gather support to create more cloaks.

People interested in volunteering or in making a donation are encouraged to send a message to KanaN Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/DesignForReality .

sg