Master’s thesis at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, 2025. In collaboration with Aalesund Protective Wear.
Women constitute a small but growing share of Norway’s professional fishers. Every day, many of them head to work in ill-fitting gear designed for men. Workwear that fits is not just about comfort—it is also critical for safety and for feeling a sense of belonging on board.
In this thesis, I present the development of Wivan, a pair of flotation trousers specifically tailored for female fishers. The project was carried out in collaboration with Aalesund Protective Wear (AAPW) and will form part of a future, comprehensive workwear collection for women at sea.
What is a pair of flotation trousers, you ask? Imagine combining a fisher’s traditional oilskin bib trousers with the buoyancy of a simple life jacket. The result is a garment that stays out of the way during daily work yet helps keep you afloat if something goes wrong.
Wivan offers all the qualities you expect from oilskin trousers—plus 50 N of buoyancy. The design is founded on user insights from both aspiring and experienced fishers and introduces innovative features while fitting seamlessly into AAPW’s range. The solution is modular: the buoyancy element and braces can be reused even if the trousers themselves need replacing due to wear. This can cut CO₂e emissions by roughly one-third compared with AAPW’s best-selling flotation trousers.
The front kangaroo pocket features a soft, warm fleece lining beneath its waterproof zippers.
Wivan shows how gender-specific design, modular construction, and material choices can enhance safety and sustainability in a traditionally male-dominated industry—helping more women choose to enter and remain in fishing, both in Norway and internationally.
The buoyancy was tested at SINTEF’s laboratory pool in Oslo and provides sufficient buoyancy to meet the NS-EN ISO 12402-5 requirement for the 50 N category.
The flotation trousers are designed specifically for female fishers, who until now have had to make do with workwear created for men.
Model: Dagny Marie Sand Haarberg.
The logo on the front of the pants is designed by Aalesund Protective Wear.