© Getty Images/Mike Coppola
Donata Wenders turned heads on the Oscars red carpet in a dress made from recycled VHS tapes by CRUBA — a one-of-a-kind piece that fuses fashion with film history and a sustainable message.
By Lisa Ehrhardt
VCRs, once the centerpiece of home entertainment, are relics of a bygone era today, often forgotten in the back of a drawer or attic, if they haven’t been thrown out entirely. CRUBA, though, saw an opportunity in old videotapes and crocheted them into a dress. It might sound paradoxical to some, but that very unconventionality is what makes the idea so creative and compelling. In an act that celebrates sustainability, this dress transforms videotape into a genuine work of wearable art — one that honors the past while sending a message about innovation and the thoughtful use of resources.
A one-of-a-kind dress made from videotape
CRUBA designer Mira von der Osten had the honor of creating a singular dress for Donata Wenders to wear to the Oscars. Hand-crocheted from VCR tape, the piece made its debut on the red carpet at this year’s ceremony, one of the most prestigious in the world.
Donata Wenders, known for her artistic work and her love of film, was captivated by the concept behind the dress. It’s crocheted from three VHS film cassettes — the German photographer chose three of her favorite films for the piece: Paris, Texas, Wings of Desire, and Tokyo-Ga, each lending the dress an extra layer of meaning.
A tribute to the world of film
The dress made from videotape is more than a fashion statement — it’s also a tribute to cinema itself. With Wim Wenders’ film Perfect Days nominated for the Oscar for Best International Feature, the choice of VHS tape as a material carried particular weight. Music cassettes, made from the same material as VHS tapes, play a meaningful role in the nominated film. The material underscores the creative link between fashion and film, and made for a genuine showstopper on the red carpet. Wim Wenders himself was taken with his wife’s dress — after all, something beautiful had been made from old VHS cassettes destined for the bin.
Sustainable fashion on the red carpet
CRUBA’s dress for Donata Wenders was not only a striking aesthetic achievement but also a statement for sustainable fashion. The use of recycled materials, paired with local craftsmanship and meticulous construction, reflected CRUBA’s broader philosophy. Designer Mira von der Osten pointed to the harmonious interplay of material and light as what makes the dress so special.
CRUBA stands for innovative, sustainable fashion out of Berlin. Its creations draw on the energy of the city and embody the spirit of slow fashion.
On the Oscars red carpet, Donata Wenders made a statement for fashion that is not only beautiful but responsible — a dress woven from past, present and future, bridging the worlds of film and fashion.
