It's a problem every parent has experienced: the cost and waste that comes with babies quickly outgrowing their clothes. On average, a baby will grow seven sizes within a span of two years. And while buying new clothes is not only expensive, discarding older clothing after mere weeks is a burden on the environment as well. As such, one London-based designer with a degree in aeronautical engineering took it upon himself to solve this universal problem.

After buying his sister baby clothing that ended up being too small upon arrival (due to the postage time as well as to the growing baby), Ryan Yasin decided to create Petit Pli —a line of children’s clothing made to expand six sizes to fit babies as they grow from 6 months to 3 years old. The concept was so good, in fact, that it recently was national winner of the U.K.'s James Dyson Award, a prestigious student design competition.

The technology works by allowing overlapping, permanent pleats to stretch outward in different directions, much like a rubber band. Unlike a rubber band: No part of the clothing will stretch thin in the process, creating a consistent level of lining throughout the outfit, even as it grows. What's more, the fabric is durable, waterproof, and recyclable.

Yasin was awarded $2,500, and with that he plans to further the production of his clothes. And while the designer is still in the process of raising additional capital from investors, he is also in negotiations with a large U.K. retailer about getting his product on its shelves. Yasin's goal is to have babies wearing his clothing within a few months.