Image: Erwin Pramhofer
Pirates, convicts, nuns and princesses are currently coming and going at Petra Larndofer. The Windhaagerin runs a costume rental and this has high season in the first weeks of the new year. No wonder, since no fewer than 800 costumes for adults and 70 for children are lined up in Larndorfer’s hanging shelves.
This is where the people of the Mühlviertel can really live out their love for flashy textiles. “I used to love to sew my own costumes. Mainly for my kids but also for adults. At a masked ball a few years ago, friends of mine told me that a costume rental shop in Freistadt was closed. His name was also Larndorfer and as it turned out, there is actually a widespread relationship here, but I didn’t know anything about it at the time,” says Larndorfer. It was the perfect time to take a closer look at what was on offer: “In any case, I was looking for a job that would go well with my children and family. So I hit it.”
That was eight years ago. In order to make room for the many costumes that had been purchased, the basement of the family home in Windhaag was quickly cleared out. Finely sorted and cleaned, these are now waiting to be worn at masked balls, parades or a Gschnas. There are also all kinds of accessories such as wigs, glasses, beards and noses. The pool grows from year to year, because Petra Larndorfer is still busy sewing new costumes – preferably in the company of a few friends. The woman from the Mühlviertel places the focus on timeless outfits: “Current trends fizzle out relatively quickly. A pirate or nun costume, on the other hand, is always possible.” Larndorfer is even prepared for groups – for example a 30-strong convict column.
After wearing masks was mainly limited to white FFP2 masks in the past three years, Larndorfer’s costume rental is of course booming at the moment. Customers often come literally at the last minute. “Then the selection isn’t that big anymore, but we still found something,” says Larndorfer. However, it is easier if those who want to dress up call a few days in advance (0676 / 46 50 800).
Starting next week, Petra Larndorfer will be noticeably quieter again. Meanwhile, their costumes and various utensils do not go completely unnoticed away from the carnival. Theme parties, Halloween or birthday parties in the style of the 70s and 80s bring customers to the house all year round. Anyone who likes to celebrate colorfully and exuberantly does not only do so in the first two weeks of February.
Source: Nachrichten
