Stitching History 

One thing many of you might not know about me is my passion for Holocaust history and my involvement as a volunteer tour guide at the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. The MJH is a museum in downtown Manhattan dedicated to the jewish experience before, during, and after the holocaust. It also houses a rotating set of exhibits exploring a variety of topics and issues. 

Over the summer I visited the the museum to visit one of their rotating exhibits titled "Stitching History from the Holocaust." The exhibit told the story of Hedy Stand, a distinguished designer and seamstress. The exhibit perfectly paired my love for fashion and my interest in holocaust history (something I never thought would parallel.)

The exhibit focused on Hedy and Paul Strand, a jewish couple trying to escape Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. In 1939, Paul wrote to his family in America trying to secure safe passage for him and his wife. To prove their financial independence he sent along sketches made Hedy, who was a recognized and successful professional in their town . The Strand's never made it to America, and did not survive the war.  

Nearly 60 years later, that letter and Hedy's sketches were discovered in the basement of the Strand family home here in the United States, the basement of the family that had tried to help save their relatives many years before. With the help of the Milwaukee Jewish Historical Society, the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, and the Costume Shop of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Hedy's sketches were finally brought to life. 

No detail was overlook. From the fabrics to the seams, to the small label housing Hedy's signature, the designs were re-created as authentically as possible. 

I wanted to share these photos and designs in honor of Hedy. We are living in a time when emotions and political opinions are running at an all time high. I do not claim to have all the answers, or any for that matter. but I do know that this was a story of two people trying to find a better life. 

 If when we all get dress every day, if every person can add an extra layer of love, compassion, understanding 9it's the winter i KNOW you're already layer up, so those few additions can't hurt.) If history had been different, perhaps I would be wearing a Hedy design today.