The Swiss Army Recycling Collection brings

together Swiss design, traditional craftsmanship and

the sturdiness of Swiss Army blankets - resulting

in a range of bags and accessories which have a

look and feel so unique, they could not originate

from anywhere but here - the Swiss alps.

In the tiny village of Törbel in canton Valais, a

booming cottage industry is producing this range

of fashionable products against a backdrop of

snowy peaks. In a tucked-away workshop, twelve

local women buzz away at sewing machines,

producing the distinctive brown-grey designs

with a red stripe and a white Swiss cross.

The collection is the brainchild of the local cobbler

Titus Karlen and his innovative son Hansjörg.

Titus, who has lived in the alpine village all his

life, used to make rucksacks for the Swiss army,

but as a result of army cutbacks, his orders

have dramatically decreased. ‘I had to look for

new ways to get business to make sure my

workshop survived,’ he says. ‘In the mountain

villages it’s hard to get work. I still make things

for the Swiss Army but not as many as before.’

After discovering that the Swiss army had

stockpiles of unused blankets left over from

their switch to sleeping bags in the sixties, they

quickly started incorporating the material into

their work. ‘They have tons of them in big holes

in the mountains’ Hansjörg explains. ‘They were

produced in case of war and we never had a war,

so now they’re old but actually never used.’

The wool is fairly coarse, which makes it ideal for

heavy duty bags - and the unique look soon became

a firm favourite with design afficionados in Zurich,

before it spread to Berlin, New York and Tokyo.

Karlen’s philosophy is to use recycled materials

throughout, apart from the zips and fasteners,

everything that goes into the items is ex-army

standard issue. The straps are disused gun leashes

and soldier’s belts act as seam strengtheners.

These handmade products contrast humbly

with a consumer world which is dominated by

transience and wastefulness – offering something

genuine and lasting, which suits today’s urban

environment just as much as the Swiss alps.

FROM TÖRBEL WITH LOVE

LADIES BOWLING BAG - WD58

Large padded bowling type handbag with zip and

two leather handles. Inner life: Large compartment,

canvas lined and reinforced floor. One inner pocket.

34cm x 20cm x 14cm

Item WD58

DAY BAG - WD201

Large shoulder bag with magnetic closure and twin

leather handle. Suitable for size A4 documents and

15” laptop. Inner life: Large compartment, fabric

lined, two inner pockets for mobile phone.

40cm x 31cm x 13cm

Item WD201

BIG TRAVEL BAG - WD32

The ultimate travel companion - an extremely robust

travel bag with padding, reinforced bottom, solid

zippers and leather straps. Inner life: Large fabric

lined compartment, one inner pocket.

63cm x 35cm x 24cm

Item WD32

LARGE MESSENGER BAG - WD74

Large lined messenger bag with a long adjustable

leather shoulder strap, buckle and large flap with velcro

closures. Suitable for size A4 documents, folders and

15” laptops. Perfect for guys and girls. Inner life: Large

compartment, fabric lined, one inner pocket.

35cm x 35cm x 6cm

Item WD74

SMARTPHONE POUCH - WD246

Keep your favourite gadget safe and scratch free

in this stylish and functional sleeve. Fits most

smartphones including iPhone 3GS and G4. Just pull

the strap and your multimedia companion slides

out with ease.

12cm x 8cm x 0.7cm

Item WD246

SLIPPERS - WD76

The ultimate footwear for long winter evenings at

home - super comfy slippers with leather sole.

Sizes S, M, L

Item WD76

UNISEX SHOULDER BAG - WD43

Very practical shoulder bag with lots of detail - for

girls and guys alike. Features long adjustable

shoulder strap and leather protected rims. Inner life:

Large compartment with velcro lid, fabric lined.

Two inner pockets

27cm x 27cm x 9cm

Item WD43

helveticus australiapo box 340, rozelle nsw 2039

p 02 8005 1887e info@helveticus.com.auw helveticus.com.au