Something out of nothing

The first years after the war ended were marked by a singular goal: to return to a sense of normalcy as quickly as possible.

Fashion, as a conspicuous aspect of pre-war life, certainly played a part in this effort. It wasn’t an easy task given the scale of destruction, particularly in the capital, which had been practically razed to the ground. People didn’t even have homes to live in or food to eat. Clothing was among the many necessities that were lacking. People searched for options wherever they could, accepting donations, even looting.

These ‘gifted and looted’ items formed the basis of a person’s wardrobe, which were then customized to fit their new wearer. The DIY trend, so evocative of Poland’s creative culture, was rooted in hardship and a lack of access to resources. To make something out of nothing wasn’t just the only goal – it was to make something fashionable too, something that was as respectable as anything you’d see in the West.