Especially the full-body costumes and unique masks, which were made in fiddly work, enchanted people from all over the world. Created by US designer Marina Toybina, the costume designs have been brought to life by wardrobe director Alexandra Brandner and her team of eleven. The costumes for the second season of "The Masked Singer" are now also being created in her studio in Mühldorf am Inn, Bavaria. In our Insights Interview, Alexandra Brandner explains why the designer's creations have attracted attention on a national level, what the people hidden behind the masks in the second season are challenged by, and what makes her sweat already.

Alexandra, you and your team have produced the famous masks and costumes for "The Masked Singer" and got a lot of media attention for it. How did you experience that?

We believed in the show from the very beginning and were therefore not surprised at all by the great success it entailed. That both masks and costumes gained attention to that extent is a great honour for us. The whole team was thrilled.

How has "The Masked Singer" changed your work?

We have become even more flexible and inventive. Every mask for "The Masked Singer" is a real learning and improvement process. This year, we're going one step further costume-wise.

To what extent are you gonna go the extra mile this year?

The costumes are even more artistic due to even more special effects that have been incorporated, and the materials used can only be processed manually. 90 percent are handmade and only ten percent are machine-made. We try to take even more account of the celebrity underneath and try to make their costumes as comfortable as possible for them to wear. For example, we now included ventilation systems in our masks.

How has your team changed compared to last year?

We have extended our team quite a bit. Eleven of us are working in the studio, there are another five specialists from around the world, such as our ventilation specialists, who have developed these tiny fans for us, or the programmers who implemented certain effects.

Is it true that in the meantime other countries have taken notice of you and have their costumes made by you for their "The Masked Singer" shows?

Yes, that is amazing. We’re producing the masks for two other countries, including Belgium. The producers took a look at the different costumes. The quality of the German masks and us being sticklers for details seem to stand out.

How do you protect the costumes and your work done during production?

Here, everything is completely closed off: there is no getting in or out. The door is locked, the windows are blacked-out. We actually only open the door when goods are being delivered. We even agreed on signs with the suppliers so they can identify themselves. (laughs)

What takes up most of your time during production?

Most masks are more about creating costumes rather than tailoring. And this time they're even more difficult. Most of the time is needed for pre-logistics: getting and assembling all the materials. Coordinating all steps in time is extremely time-consuming. For instance, one of the costumes consists of 5000 scales, which are cut out, primed, painted, assembled by hand, and treated with both brushes and airbrush. We don’t use any machines for sewing. This costume is completely handmade. It’s in fact incredible.

What is it like to make a mask for someone without knowing who'll end up wearing it?

Challenging! Thinking about one of the masks makes me sweat already. That costume is like an armor-like suit. If it doesn't fit, we have to take it apart again completely. It is the same with other costumes.

And what are you looking forward to the most for the time when the production work is over?

"The Masked Singer" is a live show, a unique experience, and we know as little as the audience. We are really looking forward to the shows, to Cologne, to our colleagues. It's the greatest team I've ever been part of in any production.

What is your job during the shows?

We are always prepared in case something happens to the masks or costumes. We make sure everything is working out and, if necessary, we make little adjustments or repairs after each show.

What's the recovery plan after the second season of "The Masked Singer"?

We keep putting the pedal to the metal; maybe we'll take a little break in May ...