( CNN ) Jackson Gordon is no ordinary 21-year-old . By day he is an industrial design student at Philadelphia University , but Gordon has another side to him -- a side altogether darker , tougher and more enigmatic . Hanging in his workshop Gordon has a full suit of armor plating , cape and cowl -- matte black and built to stop a knife . Gordon has an alter ego : the Dark Knight himself , Batman . You might expect his origin story to be cloaked in mystery , but speaking to CNN Gordon is quick to explain how the transformation took place . Gordon says his calling came five years ago when he began experimenting with cosplay . `` Previously I 'd been involved with costume making ... I 'd made a version of the Batsuit from Christopher Nolan 's 'Dark Knight Trilogy ' and I really liked that suit , '' Gordon says . But , as elaborate as his design was , it lacked the functionality or the authenticity of the genuine article . `` I was frustrated every time I wore it , '' Gordon explains . `` It really limited my mobility and I did n't like that -- it did n't go with the character . '' In September 2014 he bit the bullet , deciding `` to do another one that would n't inhibit my mobility and would actually provide protection and function more like Batman 's actual suit . '' The Batsuit had to be strong -- tough enough to withstand the stab or slash of a knife , the impact of a punch or a baseball bat , but light and articulate enough to make it practical . Striking such a balance required expensive materials , and they did n't come cheap . Gordon therefore fired up a Kickstarter campaign . He `` did n't really think anyone would fund it or even be interested in it '' -- he raised $ 1,255 in 6 days . `` It was a little surprising , '' Gordon demurs . Writing out his shopping list , it was important that `` everywhere , even places without armor plating , had some sort of protection . '' Kevlar was sourced as the base fabric , making it `` cut and slash resistant to bladed weapons , but breathable and wearable all day . '' Eschewing conventional materials , Gordon opted for a form of memory foam , built around key areas to `` squish and compress , '' dissipating the impact of blows . After much experimenting with `` polycarbonates and extruded PVC materials , '' ¼ '' Kydex ( or ABS ) plastic formed the tough armor plates , located on the torso , forearms and shins . Stab resistant , Gordon says `` it can take anything but a gunshot . '' The cowl was more problematic , being `` nearly impossible '' to craft out of the same materials within the limits of his workshop . Gordon therefore took a mold of his head using Sintra plastic , `` working on top of that with different sculpting clays and soft plastics to get it into a recognizable Batman shape . '' Using a two part box mold Gordon was able to create a `` silicone jacket '' of this , into which liquid polyurethane was poured , forming the final , `` durable and functional '' cowl . Gordon ( who does n't appear to be related to Gotham City 's police commissioner , James Gordon ) is also an expert in Shaolin Kung Fu : he is both brains and brawn , a cross between Bruce Wayne and Batsuit designer Lucius Fox from Nolan 's Batman trilogy . Legendary , the production company behind the films , has taken note of his design and given it their seal of approval . The Batsuit has made appearances at conventions and proved a showstopper among his fellow students and the faculty . `` People love the theatricality of it , '' its designer says . That the product so closely mimics DC 's fantastical comic book creation has had resonance . He has already begun manufacturing the cowls for the public , with `` fully adjustable '' jackets going up for sale on his site Armatus Design `` in the next couple of weeks . '' The jackets have received particular attention . Gordon has received `` easily over 50 requests from people , '' and not just from the cosplay community . `` They range from recreational use to martial artists ... but also motorcycle and All Terrain Vehicle riders who want protective gear and prefer the look and functionality of [ Gordon 's ] suit . '' Perhaps because of their versatility and the small matter of copyright issues , those that go on sale will not feature the iconic bat symbol . Gordon says his fledgling business will remain small whilst he 's at University -- he has to finish he studies after all , and wo n't be using the project towards his degree credits . For now the Batsuit and Armatus Design will remain a one man operation : such is the life of a superhero .
21-year - old student Jackson Gordon has designed and built a functional outfit . funded with money raised on donations , the outfit has received a prestigious award .