Munich Dirndl Designer Produces Protective Face Masks

MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 07: Airline flight attendant and dirndl designer Birgit Backeler lays out her handmade protective face masks at Munich International airport Fran-Joseph-Strauss on May 7, 2020 in Munich, Germany. Backeler sews protective face masks in her dirndl workshop during the novel coronavirus crisis as she normally works as a flight attendant for Lufthansa, a job that has come at least to a temporary halt with the lockdown measures on international travel. And while designing and sewing traditional Bavarian dirndl dresses has long been her second occupational pursuit, Backeler has recently switched to sewing protective face masks, which are currently in high demand across Germany. Backeler chooses designs for the masks from the same fabrics she uses for making dirndls, and also accommodates requests from past dirndl customers for matching masks. Germany this week launched a nationwide requirement that people must wear masks in shops and while riding public transport. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)