Christiane Strobel makes this warm, unlined vest from a tightly woven pure wool fabric. The slightly tapered cut and the lengthwise dividing seam at the back visually slim the silhouette. The torso hem is straight at the front and rounded at the back. Side slits ensure greater freedom of movement. Combined with a blouse and business trousers or skirt in the same color, the vest goes perfectly with classic, elegant outfits. Mixed with jeans and a shirt, it adds the finishing touch to casual looks. The distinctive details include the paper buttons handmade in Japan and the hand-embroidered triangle on the back bar.

The Cologne-based fashion label Christiane Strobel, founded in 2020, creates durable fashion that effortlessly outlasts fleeting trends thanks to its quality and timeless design. In doing so, Christiane Strobel always stays true to her core philosophy: “Clothing should not be limited to a single season, but should be worn and cherished for many years.” The collections, which are produced as part of a social project in Morocco, feature natural fibers such as GOTS-certified cotton, GOTS-certified linen, and RWS-certified wool, as well as innovative regenerated fibers like TENCEL™. Christiane Strobel’s trademark feature is the tabs attached to the back of each garment, adorned with hand-embroidered triangles—known as “Dars”—some of which feature traditional Fassi-style embroidery. This makes every piece—whether pants, a dress, a T-shirt, or a jacket—a one-of-a-kind item bearing the “signature” of the respective embroiderer, along with her name.

The collections are produced at Sitaara Couture and Alnour Textiles, two collaborating social enterprises in Marrakech. These companies employ women with physical disabilities who would have little to no chance of finding employment in the regular job market. The working conditions there go far beyond the norm—ranging from a living wage and individual health benefits to a pleasant and equitable work environment where employees are challenged and supported in their personal and professional development. Not only are they trained, but they also receive additional courses in reading, writing, basic arithmetic, and the fundamentals of IT. There is a daycare center and free meals—and transportation for the women between their workplace and home is also provided. Through her dedication, Christiane Strobel creates a pleasant work environment with real opportunities for the employees and demonstrates how social responsibility can be put into practice.