Floor sack fashion, Design Museum Holon
In times of hardship, creativity often becomes a lifeline. The “Heroines” exhibition at the Design Museum Holon, running since March 31, 2025, delves into this theme by showcasing how women during World War II used fashion as a means of survival and expression.
During the Great Depression in the United States, families repurposed cotton flour and grain sacks into clothing. Recognizing this, companies began printing the sacks with colorful patterns, making them more appealing for reuse. Some even included dress patterns directly on the fabric, simplifying the sewing process. This initiative not only provided affordable clothing options but also empowered women to create and sell garments, supporting their families during challenging times.
Flour sack fashion in the US
Silk Maps Transformed
In Britain, women found innovative uses for silk escape maps issued to soldiers during World War II. These durable, lightweight maps were repurposed into dresses, combining practicality with a statement of resilience. The exhibition features such garments, highlighting the ingenuity and adaptability of women who turned tools of war into symbols of hope and normalcy.
Follow the map to her heart
upcycled silk
Curated by fashion historian Ya’ara Keydar, “Heroines” presents over 100 ensembles, accessories, and artifacts that narrate stories of courage and creativity. The exhibition spans various geographies, from pre-war Prague to the American and British home fronts, culminating in Israel. It emphasizes fashion’s role not just in aesthetics but as a medium of resistance, identity, and survival.
Yaara Keydar
“Heroines” invites visitors to reflect on the power of fashion beyond its visual appeal, showcasing how, in the darkest times, clothing became a canvas for resilience and hope. Included are fashion items made during the Holocaust, some by pre-eminant fashion designers who ended up in the camps.
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
