VEB Dessous - Abandoned Clothing Factory, Germany

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B W T

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In the course of documenting the decay of human civilization we came across this site. If we hadn’t seen the interior with our own eyes we wouldn’t have believed that something like this is even possible. This time we’re exploring an abandoned clothing factory somewhere in Eastern Germany. Floor by floor we ascended this tremendous building. And we couldn’t stop being astonished. We already knew that this place is unique but what we discovered here exceeded our wildest expectations. It was like people simply forgot that this factory even existed.

40198757621_0fa0c241c4_b.jpgVEB Dessous #14 by Broken Window Theory, on Flickr

While entering the factory building we already realized that this place is some kind of gold mine. Even after 20 years of vacancy there’s still an unbelievable amount of items left inside the plant. Plenty of them are still in the original packaging.

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It’s a paradise for photographers who pay great attention to details. But at the same time we had to think about what a huge kind of waste this is. Quite a number of objects could have been used by someone. But instead they have been rotting away in this old factory for years. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. There was so much more to discover.

25327061507_9fcce130ca_b.jpgVEB Dessous #29 by Broken Window Theory, on Flickr

The story of this place dates back to the 19th century. Back then it was an era of industrial expansion in Germany. Not far away from this site a knitwear factory was built. Due to the high quality of the products the company was able to establish a global distribution network. Due to the growing demand a new factory complex was built. It was the one we were exploring.

40198760451_88f7300281_b.jpgVEB Dessous #21 by Broken Window Theory, on Flickr

After moving on from the lower levels to the upper ones we discovered the real highlight of this abandoned place. A huge room full of sewing machines. In former times, garments were fabricated here. Even today the different work stations can still be recognized due to the fact that everything was left behind.

39300733925_6460dcd216_b.jpgVEB Dessous #01 by Broken Window Theory, on Flickr

Especially swimsuits and undergarments for women and children were produced here. But also suits and sports jackets for men.

39300731595_3a673ca783_b.jpgLaundry by Broken Window Theory, on Flickr

So this is where the finished articles of clothing were stored. To be honest, it was strange to see what people have been wearing back then. But fashion is changing all the time. In a couple of decades people will probably think the same way about today’s clothing.

40198759121_65e594c77d_b.jpgVEB Dessous #30 by Broken Window Theory, on Flickr

During the Soviet occupation the factory was expropriated in 1949 and continued as public property. After the fall of the Berlin Wall the company went private again. But they were producing here only eight more years. In 1998, the last pieces of clothing left this place. After that the factory closed down.

40198760351_4d39bd3307_b.jpgArchive by Broken Window Theory, on Flickr

Today this huge factory building is under monumental protection. But the future of this area is uncertain. It counts as an important symbol for the European Industrial Culture. But it’s also a symbol for waste. A waste of items and a waste of life. This place is a death trap for animals filled with stuff which other people could have used. But the year-long storing made those things useless. But as always we can’t do anything about it. We’re only visitors documenting the decay of human civilization.

40198758541_a077d9b213_b.jpgVEB Dessous #37 by Broken Window Theory, on Flickr
 

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