SCRAPYARD SUCCESS STORY

How a trek through the trash inspired Airpaq’s stylish, sustainable backpacks—including a new limited edition Stetson collaboration and matching trucker cap.

Where others saw junk, Airpaq’s founders Adrian Goosses and Michael Widmann saw opportunity, literally in a junkyard. While working on a recycling project for their master’s program, they were struck by the number of automobiles—and by the number of things they could build from the cars’ different components.

One stood out in particular, the airbag. Struck by the high-quality and unique handfeel of the silicone-treated woven polyamide used to construct it, they thought, “Why not make a backpack out of it?” And thus the Airpaq was born.

In addition to the airbag, the Airpaq ingeniously incorporates another automobile safety feature, the seat belt, repurposing the woven polyamide belt portion into the backpack’s straps and the belt’s buckle, which closes the pack with a pleasing click. Their durable, waterproof, stylish creations became their master thesis, and soon after, their business.

Now, they’ve teamed up with Stetson for a special edition backpack, limited to 100, that features a custom two-tone grey color with an embroidered Stetson logo. It will be available, along with a matching 3D embroidered logo trucker cap Stetson created using Airpaq’s sustainable airbag material, at stetson.eu and select retail stores.

https://www.airpaq.de/

Get the bag here --> AIRPAQ x STETSON

Get the cap here --> STETSON x AIRPAQ

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Sculptor Johannes Hepp talks about his craft, his cap of choice and his seven new sculptures that celebrate Stetson’s 160th anniversary

Using a chainsaw, a chisel and other tools, 38-year-old German sculptor Johannes Hepp infuses human emotion into blocks of linden wood—one chip at a time—to create human forms that, while not necessarily photorealistic, appear shockingly lifelike. Now, he’s bringing the Stetson lifestyle to life with this anniversary collection.

What draws you to working with wood?

I love wood as a material because you can work with it relatively quickly and it still has a certain resistance. Also, it’s renewable, I can heat with the leftovers and, of course, it smells very good.

Do you have a favorite wood?

I use different woods such as oak, cherry, cedar or poplar, but for me, the most beautiful to carve is linden wood, which I used for this project with Stetson. Even in the Middle Ages, figures were mostly carved from linden wood. It is beautifully soft, rarely tears and has a very beautiful color. It also has hardly any grain, which I like.

What was your idea behind the seven pieces you created for Stetson’s 160th anniversary?

The idea was to carve a figure that captured the lifestyle of each Stetson hat. Under each real Stetson, there is a small figure that could wear the hat. Also, the hat's size almost turns it into a home, or at least a shelter for the figures. I always see my Stetson hats as a kind of roof. They definitely offer me protection. The figures themselves appear so animated, one half expects them to open their mouths and speak. Perhaps not the cowboy. He looks like the strong, silent type. It is always a challenge to give the figures a soul and something of their own. Sometimes I keep picking them up and working on them until I am satisfied.

You mentioned your Stetson, what’s your preferred hat?

I’m definitely a fan of the trucker cap. I love the quality and the style. Do you wear it in the studio? That’s a pretty big chainsaw over there. [Laughing] Yes, safety glasses and above all my Stetson cap. The visor helps to keep a clear line of sight from all of the falling chips.

www.johanneshepp.com