Interview mit Sophie Onillon - Outfits von Rammstein

You’ve been responsible for the stage outfits of RAMMSTEIN since 2001 – how did you get the job?
A friend who works as a lighting technician and who knows the guys told me that RAMMSTEIN were looking for a costume designer. My friend Irmi and I applied and got the job.

Have you created outfits for other bands before or in the meantime?
I work in different fields. In the area of music for example for Subway To Sally, Krypteria, Down Below and various bands from Universal Music. In television for example for ZDF, Pro7/Sat1, Fernsehballett or Jürgen von der Lippe, but also advertising, shows like Stars in Concert in Berlin, musicals and much more.

What kind of training do you have, what would you call your job or what do you do professionally in everyday life?
I am a costume designer/stylist and have completed my training as a cutting director.

How can you imagine the process in the case of RAMMSTEIN?
Usually the band has a theme, which we develop further together.

Are there any differences in the band, so is there someone you’d rather „lead“ or someone you’d rather „follow“?
Actually not: Suggestions are just made, then rehearsals.

What do you get inspired by?
It always starts with Moods, then we decide in which direction we want to go. But what the stage looks like also plays an important role, for example.

In general, the outfits of the individual RAMMSTEIN musicians are always very different – it seems as if they underline the character of the respective musician. Would you agree with that, and could you perhaps elaborate a little more on what thoughts you had about the look of each of the six?
In 2001 and 2004 the costumes were very uniform, after that we worked more individually according to personality.

Nevertheless, in the end the ensemble looks extremely harmonious and not wildly thrown together. What is the secret here?
That’s because we’ve always made sure that the unity comes through the colours.

RAMMSTEIN stage wear probably has to meet a wide range of criteria – of course it has to fit well, but it also has to be robust and ideally not easily flammable. What do you have to consider when choosing materials?
Exactly these criteria have to be considered, especially the durability is very important. Fire was the big question at the beginning, but in the end there are few traces of fire on the costumes – as far as fire is concerned, the guys are already professionals! As far as the choice of materials is concerned, there is no limit.

What was the biggest challenge with the current RAMMSTEIN outfits?
Till’s is made of upholstery fabric, which means it’s very heavy and stiff. Till’s coat alone weighs around 30 kilos! To sew a costume out of this material was a big challenge: It means tennis elbow and extreme finger pain. Otherwise perhaps to convince the band that Flake in a sequin suit would be a blast!

In general: How much time does a tailor-made outfit like Till Lindemann’s take to create?
It takes about one and a half months of work.

And when the outfits are finished, RAMMSTEIN will come to you for a big fitting, or how can one imagine that?
Yes, most of the fittings are made in my studio in Berlin-Neukölln. When many parts are ready for fitting, I also go to their rehearsal room.

Do you also go to their shows to see your clothes in action? Or don’t you like the music at the end?
I’m always there for a few days before the first concert takes place. Actually I’m not a metal fan, but RAMMSTEIN has already grabbed me. A couple of numbers are real catchy tunes, the lyrics are also great – and the shows are unique. I also like the humour, especially between Flake and Till. In 2016 I was at Hellfest in Clisson with the guys. I am French and come from the area – it was great to be at home with them!

Last question, almost answered: What is your favourite outfit of a RAMMSTEIN member and why?
I like Flakes appearance in general, but my favorite outfit is probably Till’s last Python outfit. But there are many I like!

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Publiziert am 28. Juli 2019 von Moritz Grütz