Paris is Falling

In June 1940, Paris fell to the Germans. They entered a nearly empty city, marching past Parisian onlookers who watched in silence as their city was taken from them. The Germans took hold of and controlled the city, and in response to this, fashion was used as a silent rebellion against the Nazis.

(Source: ww2today.com) One of the most famous pictures of the Fall of Paris - a German soldier took a photo of the onlookers, and this man is weeping. It's so powerful and shows the genuine fear and emotion that the war brought.

Women adopted the 'Paris Hat' style - ornamental hats on a huge scale which were worn with grace and dignity to show they still had some control, and that some Nazis wouldn't stop people from dressing how they wanted to.

(Source: bluevelvetbintage.com) 

(Source: pleasurephotofiles.wordpress) I think this is a beautiful example of how fashion helps people to feel so much better and can be used as a shield - it reminds me of how Isabella Blow used to wear her amazing hats and clothes like a shield.

As well as this silent rebellion, it was also used in the resistance - Maps of france were printed on scarves to aid escape if necessary, and even handbags would have false bottoms in order to conceal resistance leaflets and important resistance documents. The women of Paris were most definitely in control as much as they could be, and it's innovative minds and fashion which helped them to do this.