But what if you, for a reason or another, cannot go to demonstrations or write critical comments on threads? All those who have to work all the time, or are less able to move, or simply don't like to be in a crowd or
before a computer, can also indicate changes: there are countless ways to be an activist.
Here are some hints about how we have been fighting for diversity in all fields of Balktantango's activity.
Upcycled tarpaulin of @szigetfesztival >>> graphic @extraverage 2005
Graffiti constest upcycling >>> @nikonone 2012-2013
Grafitember comics for Balkantango
Cooperation bicycle messenger bag >> @bagaboo bags, 2009
Hulladékból termék exhibition >> 2006-2016
Balkantango's crew has always been 90% female and LGBTQAI+.
We always had single mothers among us and our shop was also a cooperation with another female-led brand.
So we do show the World that business is not only-for-men at all.
Balkantango's founder and designer, IPek, an activist herself, has been fighting constantly for the improvement of social and ecological awareness.
In result of this did Balkantango countless co-operations from local underground radios to educational exhibitions for schools.
As a side activity, Balkantango has been representing an ecological design on exhibitions since ever. +___+
Velowelt Exhibtion, Aktienmühle, Basel, 2013
Cooperation bicycle bag >> @csepelroyal, Budapest 2010
Bringologia exhibtion, Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, 2017
new creatures >> @janbachmann, 2022
When IPek finished her studies in art theory, she also curated an exhibition about the socio-cultural aspects of Budapest's bicycle revolution.
This show, titled Velofetish, was exhibited in different forms from Istanbul, throughout Berlin to Budapest.
As IPek's new field of activism is refugee support, she plans to set up a new project: Bicycle for Everybody.
20% of Balkantango’s income will be earmarked for free bicycles and bicycle courses for refugees and people without the right papers. *v*
Velofetish pop-up store & exhibition, Budapest
Velofestish exhibition, Berlin
Shopwindow design, Basel
Bicycle Film Festival, Basel
Velofestish exhibition, Istanbul
As the spirit of Balkantango is IPek, an activist herself, these two principles have been grounding values of the brand since the very first steps.
It is these main concepts that define the production, sales and the brand's general social presence. 100% fair-made, Balkantango’s products are individually cut and sewn partly in IPek's workshop in Basel and partly by the seamstresses of the oldest Hungarian Association for the Integration of the Special Needs People in Budapest. Neither our materials, nor the ready-to-wear products travel beyond Europe: Balkantango only ships locally. Fortunately there are local inner tube upcyclers all around the world, so we encourage everybody to support their local brands.
Balkantango has been happily supporting local youth initiatives of teenagers and young adults, both in Switzerland and Hungary. With our social presence we aim to inspire other brands to design statement products which communicate any of the sustainable values of a new, cruelty-free fashion.
@blickfang, Vienna, 2015
Purse with traditional Swiss sheperd’s decoration, 2018
Sarajevo beltbags for @horb’air festival > package design > upcycled posters of @marcopapiro, 2020
New branding >>> Drawings from @janbachmann, 2022
Package design from upcycled posters
of @girafuriosa queer-feminist actionweek, 2023
of @girafuriosa queer-feminist actionweek, 2023