"Corona Couture" by Sasse-Design
Back in 2016, we interviewed German fashion designer Melanie Wedemeier about her label Sasse-Design. Founded in 2001, Sasse-Design is celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year, and we are back for a small, but all the more creative update on the label’s latest project: “Corona Couture”. Read the article to find out more about what ‘Corona Couture’ is and how Melanie got the idea for it.
|
With the Corona pandemic, face masks quickly became mandatory in many countries, also in Germany. “In the first lockdown, masks were desperately searched for and my studio also eagerly participated. We sewed non-stop for retirement homes, hospitals, physio- and doctor's offices and thus got through this difficult time well.”, Melanie told us. “The constant demand from private individuals also helped us through the year. We even sewed Christmas masks, which were very popular with customers.”.
A week before Christmas, Germany went under lockdown again leaving Sasse-Design with Christmas motived face masks, unable to sell them. Instead, Melanie decided to donate them to an organisation that helps the homeless. The next blow quickly followed in January. Regular, handmade face masks were not allowed anymore when travelling with public transport, doctor’s visits and other occasions. Replaced by disposable ffp2 or medical face masks, there was suddenly no demand anymore for the beautifully designed face masks by Melanie and her team: “Due to the new regulations, not even donations were possible anymore, and we still had over 300 face masks in the studio.” |
Outfit 1 out of 6 - scroll down to see the other ones in the slideshow!
|
|
|
|
|
|
While being upset about the new regulations at first, Melanie quickly turned the situation around and set a great example of how to deal with difficult situations like this, and make the best out of it: “At first, we were upset, of course, but creativity won, and we just made clothes out of the remaining masks!”
No sooner said than done and it wasn’t long until the first piece had been designed and was ready to be photographed. “Professional photographer Bernd Günther and my model Sabrina, who were all annoyed from another lockdown, immediately were sold on the idea and with everyone being all fired up, we got to shooting quickly.”
The feedback on the first piece of “Corona Couture” was so good, that Melanie went on to design more pieces, every time using the face masks that have found a new purpose in a completely different way.
No sooner said than done and it wasn’t long until the first piece had been designed and was ready to be photographed. “Professional photographer Bernd Günther and my model Sabrina, who were all annoyed from another lockdown, immediately were sold on the idea and with everyone being all fired up, we got to shooting quickly.”
The feedback on the first piece of “Corona Couture” was so good, that Melanie went on to design more pieces, every time using the face masks that have found a new purpose in a completely different way.
Check out all 6 outfits in the slideshow!
Watch the 'Behind the Scenes' videos of both shoots here!
|
|
|
|
Artist Credits
|
Editor Credits
Interview Translation Florian M.
Text & Image Compilation Annika Maug |
Published: 22 February 2021
|
|
|
|
More about Sasse-Design
Read our first interview with Sasse-Design founder and CEO Melanie Wedemeier.
|
Want to read more about fashion?
Read our interview with Jessica Lingonstierna, founder and CEO of 'Acquo of Sweden' - a Swedish brand producing fashionable rubber boots based on a vintage design from the 70s!
Exclusively in our 1st Print Magazine -
also available as digital download! |