Heroins: Fashion and Hope in World War II

The new exhibition at Design Museum Holon invites visitors on a journey through time, back to a turbulent era of global upheaval and unrest, exploring the stories of women during World War II. Fashion may not be the first thing that comes to mind in the context of World War II, but it played an important role throughout this period. During the war, fashion transformed into something entirely unprecedented, and this exhibition unveils its powerful influence during a time of existential crisis. “Heroines” examines the role of clothes and apparel in the stories of women who discovered ways to navigate an impossible reality, preserve their humanity, and cling to hope against all odds. The exhibition showcases dozens of complete ensembles, hundreds of accessories, alongside video footage, photographs, and other historical artifacts that bring these remarkable stories to life.

A fundamental question echoes across the exhibition’s multiple spaces: What is the role of fashion when darkness descends upon the world? The garments and fashion accessories on display encapsulate personal stories of inner fortitude, survival against all odds, and the brave choice to maintain a semblance of humanity. All these stories are centered on a common element: fashion’s unique, life-giving force, its secret charm, and enduring allure. The exhibition allows us to engage with these stories through the lens of time, and find inspiration, vision, and faith in the human spirit. Alongside these personal tales, fashion is revealed as a course of action that strengthens national morale and nurtures a sense of belonging, emboldening citizens on the home front and soldiers on the front lines, and carrying messages of love and belief in a brighter tomorrow.

Heroines is a tribute to the ability of individuals to redeem themselves through imagination, creativity, and indomitable strength. It unveils fashion’s capacity to instill a sliver of optimism and sustain the human spirit, even in the darkest of times. It is an invitation to feel the stories behind the textiles, to draw courage and inspiration from the past, and to place trust in a future yet unwritten.