The change might have saved the business
Those looking for designer face masks no longer have to look to Paris or Milan at the big fashion houses: a costumier in Drenthe has turned around its fortunes through making face masks in all colours with significant success, reports the Asser Courant.
Entrepreneur Isabelle Starke saw her company Kostuumverhuur Isabelle in Assen come to a complete standstill due to the Coronavirus outbreak. So, she has turned to making face masks in all manner of colour and prints. Sales are going well: “it is a fashion accessory”, she says.
Face masks with world maps, flowers, graffiti and windows, are all flying off the shelves. Starke is delighted: “normally I rent themed clothing and gala clothing, but due to all the events that have been canceled, demand has dried up. When I heard that the mouth masks are mandatory in public transport from June 1, the idea arose. People still want to look nice with a face mask”
The masks are not difficult to make for Starke, because she sews the clothes she rents out herself. Moreover, the masks do not have to be medical quality, but they are of course fashionable. “You notice that people identify with them and want to look good. It has become a fashion accessory.”
Starke does pay attention to the materials with which she makes the mouth masks. “Densely woven cotton or a mixture that contains cotton. It should also be washable at sixty degrees. So glitter on a mouth mask is not possible”, she says.
According to the rules, you can keep a mask on for a maximum of three hours, and then wash it. Starke is also making sure that the masks are durable. “I think that’s important not to make disposable things.”
Despite the hard times, Starke is hopeful that her company will survive the crisis. “And the mouth mask sales give me some income again, that is better than nothing.”
The mouth masks can be ordered via the Facebook page of the shop: for 7.50 euros.
Image by Quinton Delmar via Pixabay
