3 minute read
Katharina Reusel
from ECOPOLITAN® - No6
by Ecopolitan®
The Teenage Anthem dress "punk meets couture"
Katharina Reuschel has always wanted to create. Creating something new with her own hands. She have turned this passion into a profession.
Where did you learn how to make couture?
I studied fashion and garments production from very early on, when I was 15 years old. I went to a fashion highschool in Vienna, afterwards to Milan to study Design and then ended up learning at Valentino Haute Couture in Rome. This is where most of my skills come from.
What’s your inspiration to design a gown?
The idea always starts with the client. I take a lot of inspiration from my clients and our meetings. I always try to reflect their personalities and unique character in their looks. Only a person that feels comfortable and “real” in their outfit has this certain charisma when wearing it.
How did the idea for the Opera ballroom dress come about?
In Austria, especially my home city Vienna, we have a very long ball tradition. What I strive to show through my ball gown designs is that, even for these most prestigious occasions, the use of reused or recycled material is absolutely possible.
My aim was to modernize the classic ballgown and to start a discussion about what sustainable production in eveningwear can look like.
Why Punk?
Firstly, I was in love with the music since I was a teenager. My patches ballgown is actually made up of many many band patches I had when I was a teenager. That’s why I called it “Teenage Anthem Gown”. However, the Punk aspect in my fashion is definitely a political statement aswell. Especially since the last two years, we artists had to be loud against the growing right wing agenda.
Do you always use recycled materials?
No, not always. Since I am mostly designing for individual clients, they can choose the materials under my consultation freely. I can often recommend sustainable materials and sourcing in Europe. But most people are still a bit skeptical when it comes to recycling. Therefore, we must further normalize doing it, showcasing how amazing the outcome can be.
What’s the next step?
I want to keep experimenting with upcycling and recycling.Given our current situation of ridiculous overproduction of garments, we cannot work around it.On the way, I hope to inspire others to do so too. ◆
photographer Elisabeth Gatterburghair and MUA Katja Pulmann TPmodel Katharina Reuschelmodel Yasii @ Addictedtomodels Management
