A blossoming business in traditional costumes
Inspired by peartree flowers
“I love where I’m from”, says Christa Steinauer with a satisfied smile. She believes the town of Waidhofen an der Ybbs is the ideal location for her and her now six-year old fashion business FREIWILD. If you’re on the Ybbs Valley Cycle Trail and want to look good in traditional Austrian dress, you should definitely stop by.
Friends and family live within reach and the Mostviertel also inspires the creative process of the traditional costume designer – especially in spring: “Every year, when temperatures start to rise, the pear blossom gives me new ideas for models”, says the 36-year-old. “On walks with my partner I take in the endless majestic colour of the pear trees and put the inspiration onto paper in the studio a short time later.”
Her favourite hiking routes lead around the Sonntagberg. One of them is the Basilica Hiking Trail, which is 20 km long. It offers a fairytale view of the Eisenwurzen and the Danube Valley as far as the Czech Republic. “Traditional costume makers have always been inspired by their surroundings”, she says. “Home and culture are very closely linked to our profession. You can see it in the rich diversity of traditional regional costumes – they reflect the region’s characteristics in their colours, patterns and cuts.”
While she likes to work on traditional models, she enjoys creating modern alpine costumes just as much: “It’s important for me to make traditional costume wearable for today”, she says. “But they also have to last. It’s telling that young people enjoy wearing traditional costume again today.” In addition to the classic dirndl, her collection also includes jackets, shorts, blouses and dresses and knitwear for women. For men, Steinauer produces jackets and waistcoats, all with a contemporary touch. “FREIWILD DESIGN should keep up with the rhythm of the urban world as well as slower pace of rural life”, she says.
Author: Martina Weinbacher
Further recommendations, tips and news
Landscapes influence people and people influence landscapes. Austria has a lot to tell you about.
A cultural and architectural jewel
The diverse Joanneum Quarter in Graz, City of Design and European City of Culture, is a popular meeting place for...
tip
Good advice for your next bike trip
Thoughts on the next bike tour First of all: we’re happy that you’ve found your way here and that you are intereste...
tip
Unadulterated enjoyment on the Attersee
The turquoise-blue Attersee enchants everyone from hikers and bikers to cyclists, sailors, swimmers and those...
tip
An architectural jewel at the foot of the Grimming
A fascinating world of mountains and culture in the Enns Valley: from the peak of the Grimming to the cultural...
tip
Discovering the town of culture
Hartberg: Historical buildings and a wide variety of events and modern art....
tip
Salzburg and the Mozarttorte
A charming treat: The Mozarttorte in all its variations and the combination of marzipan, nougat, pistachio and...
tip
The world’s smallest wheat beer brewery
An addition to excellent beers and the cosy atmosphere of the world’s smallest wheat beer brewery, the Hausbrauerei...
tip
There’s something in the air
Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over Europe come to one of Central Europe's most important places of...
tip
The Spielberg
The region around the Red Bull Ring is characterised by an imposing natural landscape. At the heart of the...
tip