The Swiss start-up final. Cover fashion and sustainable products for a period that we do not like to think about: hospital stays, chronic illness, the last days of a person. Fragile times, as the common good -oriented design studio and research laboratory calls it. After careful consideration and planning, all products are created, often in cooperation with those affected, i.e. sick, relatives and nursing staff.
“Care often takes place in a sober, functional atmosphere. For the personal needs of those affected and their environment, there is little space. Finally. Wants to change that: with nursing average and accompanying products that support people in fragile life phases aesthetic and functional – and thus also the social handling of fragility, illness and dying.”
Finally. It was recently seen at the YES! Con cancer fair in Berlin. The German fashion professor and founder of the brand asked Stetter shared her impressions and answered some questions from fashionunited regarding challenges, favorite products and more.
How did the idea for Finally.?
The concern arose from a very personal experience. When I accompanied a close person during their cancer for several years until the end of life, as a designer, I became painfully aware of how little meaningful disease -accompanying products exist in everyday clinical life. A lot is only functional, sometimes uses more to the specialists than those affected, a lot is free of warmth, sensuality or dignity. That was the impetus to deal with the topic deeper. I went on training, started working on a station for several years and then began to design.
What were some of the challenges that had to be overcome before the first articles came onto the market?
Many of our products have their origin in everyday care; They were basically invented by caregivers that they were improvisations that were designed in crisis moments ad hoc. I translated them and steadily adjusted them during the tests.
The challenge was to develop marketable products from these individual pieces: with the right feel, in the right price framework and in a quality that touches. It must be borne in mind that care products have to be useful for everyone, not only for the care tracters but also for the care giver, private and institutional. Thanks to the support of the Migros pioneering fund, we were able to find suitable production partners and lead our first collection into series production.
How was the label recorded on the YES! Con in Berlin?
We were overwhelmed – from the response, the encounters, the stories. It was touching how much people long for those products that not only work, but also perceive people holistically in their fragility.
There were so many people who looked at us with big eyes and said, ‘yes, just missing something like that, I would have needed something like that. They told about their therapy experiences and gave us further tips for further products. It made something in them and us sound.
It is particularly important: Our new Care Collection was created together with a cancer -minded woman who came to us and has brought her experience into the design process. The visitors noticed that. Design is not created ‘top down’ but with people. That takes time, but it’s worth it.
Were there certain products that were particularly popular?
Yes, in addition to our new Care Collection, the “turnaroberound” was also very well received, which was also ordered a lot online after the fair. We see this part as a travel companion, on the journey through phases of health but also in phases in which we are fragile, have to go to the hospital.
The turnarounder is a mixture of kimono, morning mantle and feel -good text, people can wear it in good times, but when they have to go to the hospital, the textile accompanies us and has all the functions of a care shirt, which is important when people are dependent on help.
The turnaround can accompany at birth and become a loyal companion for fragile moments. Even when we don’t always want to expose therapies, it has its effect.
All of our care product are designed in such a way that they combine textile care with functional design; They create importance beyond pure practicality. It’s about closeness and dignity, but also that we don’t have to give up our identity just because we are sick or vulnerable. And as a nurse says to me: “When people put on the turnarounder, they feel much better and we too are happy that some color comes into our everyday life.” Motivate such reactions.
Where are the clothes made and from what materials?
Our textiles are largely created in Europe. We use skin-friendly, sustainable materials such as organic cotton, bamboo fiber or wool-cashmere mixtures-carefully selected for sensitive skin and a gentle fit. It is important to us if we campaign for Care that we produce the products under fair conditions.
What do you want people to know about people in fragile life phases?
We hope that fragile times are no longer hidden, but seen and accepted as human. Because they are part of life – to everyone and everyone: R of us. Our goal is to give shape exactly these moments, phases or times.
I also hope that we create a language in words, images and material that allows us to find an open handling of absent health. It is not just about being strong and powerful, it is not always about fighting, it is also about recognition and acceptance, because this is the only way to define quality of life very individually.
Is participation in other trade fairs planned?
Yes, absolutely. We were recently at the “Life and Death” trade fair in Bremen – an intense, very fitting place for Finally. In Switzerland we will be on the Ornaris for the first time this year [Fachmesse für Trends, Inspiration und Design, Anm.d.Red.] be represented. And in autumn there is a further participation in the “Life and Death” trade fair – again in Bremen and at the YES! Con would be happy to be there. And of course, we are of course also invited at design fairs and museums etc., currently we are still right pioneers with our researcher and shaping approach. Who knows another fair or a place where Finally. should be presented. We look forward to carrying our concerns into the world.
In addition to clothing such as the turnarounder, the bed shirt, the ceiling cape, T-shirts and more, there are other products such as bed linen, organizational aids, a canopy who creates some privacy at the bedside, a practical trailer for the mobile phone, a fragrance lantern, greeting cards and more.
Finally. Has a shop at Ankerstraße 27 in Zurich, which calls itself Care Atelier and also sells online.
The interview was led in writing.