Bas Timmer Redefines Streetwear with a New Collection

After the success of the Sheltersuit Foundation, designer and founder Bas Timmer is embarking on a new venture: launching a clothing line that redefines the concept of streetwear. Sneakerjagers spoke with Timmer and his business advisor, Joost van Pelt.

Introducing the Team

A few weeks before the collection's launch, we meet Timmer and Van Pelt in Rotterdam at the back of WOEI's store, the venue for the upcoming launch. Sitting amidst racks of jackets, pants, and T-shirts, Timmer introduces himself: “I’m Bas Timmer, from Enschede, and founder of the Sheltersuit Foundation,” he says, shaking hands.

Across from him sits Van Pelt, founder of WRKSHOP Agency and former head of Nike Sportswear distribution in Europe. “After over 20 years at Nike, I now focus on smaller brands and help start-ups. Through connections, I met Bas and now assist him with the strategy for his new project,” Van Pelt explains.

This new project is a follow-up to the Sheltersuit Foundation, an initiative Timmer launched a decade ago. “I studied fashion in the past and gravitated towards designing (multi)functional winter clothing,” Timmer says. “When the father of two friends died on the streets from hypothermia, I started the Sheltersuit Foundation.”

Sheltersuit Foundation

Through the Sheltersuit Foundation, Timmer began designing and distributing sleeping bags to the homeless, driven by the belief that "everyone deserves shelter." These sleeping bags, made from recycled materials, are weather-resistant and multifunctional—the top can be detached and worn as a jacket.

Over the past decade, the foundation has distributed around 35,000 sleeping bags worldwide. In 2021, luxury fashion house Chloé invited Timmer to design a jacket, which debuted that year on the Paris runway. A year later, he hosted a workshop at Nike in Portland, focused on clothing and sleeping bag designs for local shelters.

With the Sheltersuit, Timmer traveled the globe, refined his concept, and was named a “Next Generation Leader” by Time in 2020. “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved,” he says. “I want to use that experience for our next project.”

A New Challenge

While the Sheltersuit Foundation focused on housing-insecure individuals, the new label targets youth who frequently occupy urban spaces. “The designs have a streetwear look and are truly made for the streets,” Timmer explains, referring to the durable, water-resistant materials used in the pieces. “It’s a bit of a double meaning for streetwear.”

Van Pelt hands over a hoodie from the collection. The washed-black hoodie is heavy—1.4 kg, to be precise. “You can immediately feel the high quality of the items,” Van Pelt says. “No thin, easily torn fabrics here; these are sturdy materials meant to last several seasons, if not years.”

The duo showcases several items from the collection, including T-shirts, hoodies, pants, and jackets—each more unique than the last. “Do you happen to have water on you?” Timmer asks. After receiving a bottle, he pours some onto the hoodie in his hands. “Look, it just rolls right off.”

Each piece is also numbered. “I want to keep the collections limited,” Timmer shares. “For example, this hoodie is number 8 of 21—this limited.”

When asked about the materials' origins, Timmer keeps things under wraps. “We use fabrics from Parisian luxury brands, but I can’t disclose which ones.” The fabrics, sourced from deadstock—the surplus materials luxury brands don’t use—are handpicked by Timmer in Portugal. “I’m giving these materials a second life,” he explains.

The premium quality is evident. The hoodie features 800 g/m² cotton, an uncommon choice. “It was a gamble for us,” Timmer admits, “but it worked out well.”

The first glimpses of the collection and behind-the-scenes shots can be found on the Instagram account @one.of.xx.

Launch at WOEI

Recent weeks have been hectic for Timmer. One day, he’s distributing Sheltersuits at shelters in Berlin; the next, he’s selecting fabrics in Portugal. Now, the collection is finally ready. “Am I nervous for the launch? No, not at all—I’m excited,” Timmer laughs.

Rightly so. The collection is rock-solid, and the launch is being celebrated in style. On November 22, the collection will be unveiled at WOEI’s store. “WOEI is familiar territory for both of us,” Van Pelt says. “The store connects fashion with street culture. There was no other place we wanted to launch this.”

For the launch, they enlisted the help of Rotterdam-based artist Daan Koens. Known for his Picasso-esque works, Koens has previously displayed his art at events like Lowlands, where he created live pieces during performances by Joost Klein.

“Besides being incredibly talented, Daan has a deep connection with WOEI, Rotterdam, and Sheltersuit,” Van Pelt explains. “I got in touch with him through my son and introduced him to Bas. They clicked immediately.”

For the collection, Koens designed a special print for the T-shirts. The artwork reflects the societal layers of wealth, tying back to Sheltersuit’s DNA. During the launch, Koens will paint the design live in WOEI’s store. “With this launch, we want to bring the street indoors,” Timmer says.

Looking Ahead

Timmer is excited about the future of his new project. “I hope we’ve created gifts for everyone,” he says. While preparations for the launch are in full swing, work on the next collection has already begun. Timmer remains dedicated to the Sheltersuit Foundation and says that won’t change.

“Thankfully, I now have a big team to delegate tasks to, allowing me to focus on new challenges, like designing clothing collections, which is where my passion currently lies,” Timmer shares.

Van Pelt is equally optimistic: “What Timmer has achieved with the foundation makes me curious to see how far he can go with this label. The designs are strong, and the spirit is too.”

With this label, Timmer has carved out his own niche, blending streetwear with functionality—a combination that both believe has enormous potential.

“We’re just getting started, right? In ten years, we hope to be active across Europe, maybe even beyond,” Timmer concludes.