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You've got to be kidding...

it's derelicte!

Wow that last picture is super inappropriate.

I appreciate it is for a good cause but find it rather tacky and insensitive. IMHO it would be better to create something stylish and attractive that more people would actually want to buy and so probably generate more money for the charity.

Derelicte!

homeless chic? puhleaze.

Agree, that last picture is unsettling. I'd like to see the bedding in person but I would never put it on my bed.

Absolutely shameful. How low do you have to be to mock the homeless?

I agree with all comments so far. I thought this was a mock of the Zoolander Derilicte campaign! Funny in the movie as a mock of the pretentiousness and complete lack of any real-world knowledge of the fashion industry....

This is REAL? And my mouth is still agape at that last photo. Homelessness is trendy? I am actually insulted by the two "hot" votes.

why????

the donating to charity is awesome, but i personally think this is hideous and they would get more buyers, and therefore more money for charity, if they made something a little prettier!!! honestly who would buy this, and i think that last pic is wrong as well.

That print? No way. But that printing technology for other designs? Pretty cool.

It goes with the broomstick lamp from yesterday...

nouveau hovel

As openminded as I am I would like to emphatically say"

"hell to the naw."

Offensive and inappropriate. If the goal of the charity is to fight homelessness so that eventually no one has to sleep in a cardboard bed--don't make a mockery of the current problem by printing faux cardboard on sheets for people who aren't homeless.

hahaha, guffah @ "hell to the naw"

yeah, this look is no good.

WOW. I'm wondering how this went down in the meeting at Dutch By Design:

"Hey we should do something for the homeless."
"Yeah, totally,dude. You know what the homeless need? Higher thread count in their duvets."
"TTTOOTALLY. But we should print cardboard on the sheets to make them feel at home, too. Teehee...see what I did there?" "
"Yeah man, not cool."
"Well, what if we sold the faux cardboard sateen to people WITH beds. That way, they'd be, like, TOTALLY aware of what it's like to be homeless"
"Genius!"

hahah-- i think it's a great gag gift. perfect for sending off the kiddy to college no?

Sorry, it reminds me of Robert Rauschenberg's piece "Bed."

http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4823&page_number=4&template_id=1&sort_order=1

I'm sure some stupid hipster will buy it so they can look gritty in air conditioned comfort.

offensive.

It's very well done. Trivializes the very problem that these people are trying to address. This is idiotic and completely insensitive.

I dunno -- I think a visual reminder of how fortunate we are could be a good thing. And 30 percent goes to charity -- as opposed to zero percent of other bedding. I don't think this is mocking the homeless -- I think it's a statement about our own over-consumption in the face of poverty.

I agree it would be hard to live with, but that's sort of the point, isn't it?

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that wanted to shout Derelicte
Impressive in a very novel way... definitely not going on my bed though.

allow me to defend myself... i voted "hot" for 2 reasons:

1- money to charity is always good
2- that printing technology is awesome

the idea of cardboard bedding... not hot

Hmm, that would go so well with my flea-bite printed tights and my starvation ribcage tank top. I'm so socially conscious that I dress like the poor so everyone knows it.

Love the printing technology, hate what it represents. I'd rather just give the money directly to the charity.

yes, offensive is the word. i don't care if they're trying to make it ok by giving to charity. it's the classic radical chic as defined by tom wolfe in 1970. really get sick of the brainless designers. there is nothing fun or classic about this. just pretentious bad taste. blech.

I work at a printer, so the detail is incredible, and certainly something to be explored. However, the subject is completely ridiculous. If they printed some sort of scenery, or animal, or even a pile of rocks on the bedding, I think Apartment Therapy readers would be able to appreciate their craft more.

However, the "shock" value of their current offerings is just that "shock", no "awe".

Yea that's a pretty insulting way to raise money

"I'd rather just give the money directly to the charity."

Exactly.

clever - taste = not clever

deeply offensive.

oh my ..I hit hot due to the charity funds..but of course it's horrific..and offensive...just that if some do purchase this..the money, or some of it, would at least help...but you are all correct up there!!!

ok, i'm not usually one of these kind of people but i went to their web site and wrote an email to the company to say how offensive i think it is. would urge others to do the same, if you believe that speaking up makes a difference. even a tiny one.

This product was widely viewed as awful (and it is!)the last time it was posted here. Why post it again? Has the product improved? Have readers lost their minds? No. So please, AT, don't post this again.

Is this the glamorization of homelessness? This takes cultural appropriation to an entirely new and inappropriate level.

it's not a good product when it reminds everyone of zoolander.

Nice that it's going to charity, and they did a really good job, but...very, very unfortunate. As someone said, it's "derelicte!"

I design product that is manufactured in China (so sue me) and all the boxes of stuff come in boxes looking exactly like that- from the markings and yellow clear tape to wrinkles which make the box look like it was sitting on the water for 30 days. That bedding stresses me out because it would be like sleeping at work. So not what I want to think about when I crawl into bed at night. Each time I scroll up to look at it I get more stressed.

utterly horrible!

i like it. :)

Hey! What a great idea...i hear next they'll have a dinner party set with pictures of starving children!

Stupid!

hahaha you guys are funny with your 'offensive' and your 'horrible' comments.

I like it. id drape this baby over my sex chair.

So distasteful an insensitive in a day and age where a lot of people could be one or two paychecks away from losing everything.

Anybody else check out the 'PERS' section of their website? It shows the manufacturing process ....

Looks like the icing on this cardboard cake is the product's made in a third-world country.

34 pounds is what, about $60? Only 30% of which will go to a UK charity? How's about we just drop a $20 in the mail to a homeless shelter or an advocacy group working on the root of the problem and sleep on whatever we have been sleeping on? Better for society, and better for the environment. Done.

This is a re-post.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/bedding-blankets/cardboard-box-duvet-cover--065066

disgusting.

Great idea for an Art Exhibit... to make us think about how many people are homeless, not only in the US but also in south america, africa and so on...
Money for charity is good, but this cardboard bedding in everything but hot.

20 people like this????

I'm astounded at the prim outrage here in the comments. You know what's "disgusting," "inappropriate," and "shameful"? Homelessness itself. Not purposeful and well-executed design that makes a simple product into a charged reminder of your own enormous wealth in relation to the vast majority of the world's inhabitants. This bedding is what you make of it, like life itself. I think it could be a daily black-humored joke or a sort of forget-me-not. Or both. Bravo, Dutch Design, for touching a nerve.

This is....there are no adequate words.

Much like a number of other folks, I thought this was a joke. It was amusing in Zoolander because everyone understood the irony and the shamelessness in it. This? It is....well, no words.

Beyond these four.

One less potential customer.

Also, from the FAQ (awkwardly translated by Google):

What about the working conditions in the factory in Pakistan?
In the factory, no child labor and forced labor, and are not discriminated against based on race, color or sex. There are factory set wages paid based on applicable local laws, the maximum working week is 56 hours and there are safe working conditions. This we have checked in April 2009 itself.

Is produced in an environmentally sound way?
During the production process, no toxic chemicals, so the impact on the environment minimal and there is a product that also skin friendly. There is also a special machine that thoroughly cleans the wastewater before it reaches the sewer.

Where are the Le Clochard duvets produced?
Production takes place in Europe (Turkey). Since they have the decision on the best quality cotton. The quality we have chosen consists of 144 threads per square inch.

How is it packaged duvets?
The duvet covers are packaged in a biodegradable plastic bag with paper stickers. A photograph of the packaging can be found in the system menu.

hanna 1: I notice that you registered today, and you only have 2 comments, both on this topic.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I believe that the proceeds to purchasing them will go to help the homeless in the UK. It may look ugly, but it is for a good cause.

The nerve it has touched has nothing to do with my own personal involvement in the cause to eradicate poverty and everything to do with the inappropriateness of collecting profits (even if it is only 70% of them) with what they likely thought was a great combination of shock and irony.

How very urbane and chic of them to photograph a woman on a bench using it. Classy.

This is an example of "purposeful and well-executed design"?

I think this bedding is an example of misguided and pretentious design.

Like others have suggested, one should not excuse the designer just because part of the proceeds from this product will be donated to charity. Just donate directly to an homelessness advocacy organization or charity. You can avoid owning an ugly duvet to boot.

I wonder if I can get a set of fine dinnerware with trash-picked food images on it????

lemort1, frogfood Derelicte is exactly what I thought when I saw it too!

I'm astounded at the prim outrage here in the comments. You know what's "disgusting," "inappropriate," and "shameful"? Homelessness itself. Not purposeful and well-executed design that makes a simple product into a charged reminder of your own enormous wealth in relation to the vast majority of the world's inhabitants. This bedding is what you make of it, like life itself. I think it could be a daily black-humored joke or a sort of forget-me-not. Or both. Bravo, Dutch Design, for touching a nerve.
____

Hanna1, we all agree that homelessness itself is what's shameful in our society. We all would like it to become a distant memory. This 'black-humored joke' only serves to perpetuate the image of people living under highway overpasses or filthy alleys. A 'forget-me-not' is even worse. We live in a disposable society already, where the 'haves' have too much stuff and the 'have-nots' have nothing. I simply don't buy that this is the only way a textile or design company could bring attention to the problem of homelessness and raise funds for charities that help reduce it. Pretty cynical if it is.

i dig it. people are waaaay too uptight.

No Bueno. No Bueno.

This was already posted last year. (and caused a similar reaction)

Well, in checking out the actual site....this is their ad:

Sleep under a cardboard box so a homeless young person doesn’t have to.
A large proportion of the proceeds from the Le Clochard duvet cover go to SZN, the foundation for homeless youngsters in the Netherlands. The income is used to fund housing projects which prioritise supporting young people in finding work or continuing their education.
-------------------------------------------
Sometimes we are too quick to judge.

Blah... AT did a post on this sometime LAST YEAR. Not many people cared for it then, and not so many people care about it now. I, don't care one way or another- I wouldn't own one, or spend an insane amount for something that looks crappy. I'd rather donate it straight to housing projects.

Awful.

I understand why some people may find this offensive, but I see it as a lasting visual reminder to help those less fortunate. Had it been just a normal or funky print, people may quickly forget what cause was supported when they bought it. Why it might not be to everyone's taste it does seem to be trying to help, which is a commendable act.

I once had a boyfriend who would have gone there - with real cardboard. Yes, the last image is a quandary for the politically correct - but while your getting all self righteous just remember it's a luxury to get pissed about this sort of thing.

This has got to be a joke. I bet these guys go bankrupt fast. What a waste of time.

I like it. The price is good too.

It's arrogant beyond belief considering the many homeless ppl who would appreciate not having to use cardboard for shelter/bedding.

"What about the working conditions in the factory in Pakistan?
In the factory, no child labor and forced labor, and are not discriminated against based on race, color or sex. There are factory set wages paid based on applicable local laws, the maximum working week is 56 hours and there are safe working conditions. This we have checked in April 2009 itself."

Hanna1, this really doesn't tell much. Who enforces these conditions? Who is guaranteeing that there is no discrimination? Given that first world countries seem incapable of managing discrimination even with strong laws, I find it highly unlikely that this true in Pakistan. And when does a 56 hour week and "set wages based on applicable laws" tell anything other than the company (you perhaps?) is following the local laws. What is the minimum wage? Pennies an hour? Vague statements full of language meant to reassure is often a damn good sign that the employees are being screwed.

As for those of us who are full of "prim outrage" I would suggest that for some of us it is a case of well considered moral outrage. If you find morality a prim endeavor then perhaps it is time to consider your values.
Saying prim may trigger pictures of old women dressed from neck to toe but it in this instance it is just using a provocative word to obfuscate the righteousness in our disgust.

For people who find this funny I think you've been living in your air conditioned worlds for too long.

Personally I find it tacky and offensive for no reason other than I think it just looks stupid.

Having considered the social aspect it angers me even more.

But lets all ask another question - Why does AT stoop to even posting this kind of stuff that they should know that everyone hates?

I see it as a cheap shot to simply generate lots of page hits.

Am I wrong?

An inquiring mind really honestly wants to know.

I think this is one of the most "poor taste" things I've ever seen and it see,s the majority agree. So why is it here?

Please tell me nobody at AT finds this even remotely redemming.

"There are factory set wages paid based on applicable local laws, the maximum working week is 56 hours and there are safe working conditions."

Pakistani minimum wage for unskilled workers is equivalent to $42/month.

How would you like to work 9 hours & 20 minutes a day (10 hours w/ two 20 minute breaks?)/6 days a week for $512/year?

In my opinion, the workers in Pakistan need more of our charity than panhandling drug-addicted kids in Amsterdam who already have ample resources and social services funded by their own country to help them.

I think it's pretty incredible. A provocative design that is marketed so that one thinks of the less fortunate who actually sleep on and under actual cardboard every night.

Perhaps what is offensive is the *perception* (of us AT-types) that the designers are going to make a ka-jillion $ (or kroner) even after a 30% charitable donation. Probably far from the truth/reality.

And yet, if it were done as an art installation - a one-off piece - we could see a photo of it, or visit the actual installation and raise our eyebrows and comment to a bystander, "How clever, how provocative." And then go our merry way.

The ingenuity of this is, because plain ole bedding is typically a product of mass production/marketing - and homelessness is a widespread (and growing issue here in the good ole US of A) that it really violates the line of security that someone has who actually has a bed to sleep in at night.

If these designers were like Bernie Madoff - I'd find it offensive. This however is damn provocative. Maybe some designers are hoping for that response. Provocative. I think that the discomfort it generates is why people find it offensive and in poor-taste. But instead of resting on just one or two-word judgments...try writing more about why it bothers you...and perhaps you'll figure out more about what makes you tick and where your boundaries lie. Maybe "everyone" hates it because of a kajillion assumptions they've made about the motives of the designer thus conveniently avoiding and bypassing the provocative nature of the design.

Sorry for the ramble - too much to drink tonight.

Jen - I thought your post was one of the more enlightening ones.

Why it bothers me is "it's poor taste - who in their right mind would buy this crap, much less appreciate it" is the only thing that comes to mind. I admit the social aspect was an afterthought to me.

It also angers and annoys me that AT would bother to post "garbage" like this. Pun intended.

I mean there is a lot of good design. Nice design. Life is too short to have to look at this kind of stuff - on a website devoted to "good design".

I hope AT isn't trying to get all political on us.

--------------

But don't blame "the good ol' US of A".

THe US still has one of the highest standards of living in the world.

There will always be bums and crackheads on the streets.

You should know agout PDX's despicable "Dignity Village" where taxpayer money is used to host a shanty-town used by vermin who actually prefer that "lifestyle".

Do I think more should be done to help honest hard working people who are victims of corporate downsizing? Of course - I'm currently unemployed because my job was shipped to Malaysia, and very scared about the future.

But I think current programs - especially in PDX (don't get me started) can't ever work. They need to tear down the shanty-towns, give the people who WANT help the help they need, and just ignore the bums who prefer the streets.

There will always be social turmoil as long as there are people. Social upheaval is part of evolution. It really sucks, like death and taxes, but it's unavoidable.

Britain tried experimenting with cradle-to-grave security and it bankrupted them. Maggie Thatcher was hated at first but most of the world has now copied her formula for getting Britain out of the mess that socialism brought to the UK. And there's the disaster the became of the former Soviet Union, the "worker's paradise". Even China (they are still our enemy by the way - everyone forgets that little point) has admitted that socialism is a failed experiment. People forget that it was proven decades ago that Keyenism economics style government is doomed.

You would think someone in my position would want socialism. All I want is a complete re-writing of the tax code. A national sales tax instead of income tax, and a flat tax for corporations with NO loopholes.

By the way there was an awesome PBS documentary called "The Commanding Heights - The Battle For The World Economy". The first 2 hour segment goes over all the histories of various economic theories of the 20th century. I thought I knew what Reganomics was till I watched it. Don't go down that path...just saying they do a good job of explaining the pros and cons of the various theories that have been used by various governments.

If you can't find it anywhere there are torrents for it on Pirate Bay and Demonoid. Since it's PBS it's not stealing. LOL

JenPDX, I think you make a good point about why something is provoking what response. It's a worthy consideration. My response is that I live right at the poverty line and have done so for most of my adult life. I am never more than a month or two away from falling thru the 'cracks' (now becoming valleys) into living on the streets. I know, because my friendships are largely with those like myself, and a few who are very privileged, that for those who are on the edge of the edge this kind of product is deeply insulting and that this kind of capitalism masking itself as provocative design and thoughtful generosity is morally repugnant. Added in the realities of this crap being made at slave wages by the poorest of the poor turns it from repugnant to simply immoral.

the same arguments you make about this bedding, you can of most expensive bedding featured on AT

to all who say they would rather just donate money to charities...

PLEASE COMPARE YOUR CHARITABLE GIVINGS vs how much you've spent on bedding in the past however many years..

i bet a majority of people spend a lot more on bedding.

gordon: I have no relation to these designers or to design in general, actually. I only discovered the site a couple months ago, and this was the first post where I had strong feelings and wanted to say something in contrast to all the bashing, so I registered.

graceless: I, too think the last photo was lame and needless. I find the product itself IS a great combination of shock and irony, so I see no problem in making profit off of it whilst others are making profits off of products that are banal and uncharitable.

cometz: You're right that no product made in a developing country is going to be made in a perfectly humane work environment, but I think the point is that they have made a better effort to be humane in their enterprise than most. I don't think morality is a prim endeavor, but I think censorious homogeneity and oversimplification of complex relationships between creative expression and social issues is. Also, I make less than the average US annual income and am currently unemployed but I still think this design is interesting and smart, not insulting or morally repugnant.

Maybe it's a re-post or a ploy to boost page views but I think it's an interesting idea and I was happy to see people come out in support of it.

I hadn't much thought of the insensitivity and politics of the the bedding as I am not so PC. Simply and from a design stand point, I was not keen on the concept and look.

Besides, I think my dogs might thing its their wee wee pad. ouch

Homeless Haute Couture.... Hmmmmm, will they come out with matching P.J.'s too?

Haha, I love this thing!

I was #39 on the HOT vote. Heck, I was actually homeless for a period of my life and it doesn't offend me. Although I was fortunate enough to have people I could freeload off and didn't have to sleep in cardboard boxes.

Heck, if these were 600-800 thread count, I'd probably pickup a set. But, I don't think they need the charity ruse. It seems almost an apology. There is never a need to apologize for art.

I call bullsh** on you losers who claim you would "rather donate to charity." HA! When was the last time you dropped a big old check off? Hmmmm? But who gives a shi** if a penny of it is going to charity. It's a play on your guilt and it is glorious.

Oh and this is a f*ing repost
Apartment Therapy = FAIL