In yesterday's post we looked at an artist who moved from a painting to create a multidimensional map of a cityscape. But can we instead move from a map to create a bodyscape informed by geographies? Absolutely. And the history of fashion features a lot of examples of map and geographical prints, unanimously considered as timeless motifs.
Maps are actually trending at the moment also at the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, where a dedicated display examines the purpose, importance and personal significance of military maps in the Second World War.
While some fashion enthusiasts might overlook "Maps: Memories from the Second World War" (running until January 25th, 2026) as niche interest for geopolitics aficionados, there are diverse sources of inspiration underlying it.
Primarily, incorporating footage from the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), the display draws from aerial perspectives, a great inspiration in fashion and interior design as well.
During the years spanning from 1939 to 1945, harnessing the aerial perspective was paramount for gaining strategic advantages and creating precise maps. Within this timeframe, the British Armed Forces alone produced over 36 million photographs and 342 million maps.
In our times photographs or videos shot by drones serve recreational and military purposes, but in those years, the historical importance of aerial photography was strictly linked to the war, as proved also by artifacts on display here, such as Flight Lieutenant Thomas D. MacMillan's logbook and a stereoscope for viewing 3D landscape images.
Another inspiration is Joyce W. Cairns PPRSA's painting, "Major Robert W. Cairns MBE, TD, MA Father's Memorabilia, North West Europe" (1995). Major Cairns served across various war fronts, and the painting showcases mementos and memories including functional maps used by troops and those preserved as keepsakes and reminders.
The maps kept as mementos are actually the ones that will pique the interest of fashion enthusiasts. A silk dress from 1945 (on loan from the Worthing Museum and Art Gallery), fashioned from escape and evade maps from the Second World War, stands out as one of the exhibition's most captivating pieces with those yellow and orange hues streaked with blue, representing rivers and lakes.
A British Army Officer conceived the idea of printing escape maps on silk: Christopher Clayton Hutton, an inventor and MI9 British Army Officer, recognized silk's waterproof, quiet, resistant and concealable properties, making it an ideal material for maps.
Facing initial difficulties in obtaining cartographic data, Hutton eventually secured cooperation from mapmakers. These maps, crucial for moving on remote areas and hostile territories, were issued to pilots and Special Forces in the event that they were shot down, trapped behind enemy lines and needed to escape.
Hutton's passion for finding unusual solutions to problems caused by the war actually prompted him to influence uniform design, with convertible uniforms that from RAF uniforms could resemble those of the Luftwaffe and that may have helped the wearer to disguise and escape. Furthermore, he designed specialized flying boots with hidden compartments for concealing maps and other escape equipment. The boot consisted of a black leather walking shoe and zip-up suede legging. The wearer could separate the leggings using a pocket knife stored in the boot, providing a less conspicuous option than conventional flying boots. The leggings could also be repurposed as a waistcoat for added warmth.
When the maps no longer served their original purpose, they were repurposed into clothing during the post-war rationing era.
Such artifacts are not uncommon and can be still spotted in museums.
In a previous post we mentioned a luxurious bra owned by Countess Mountbatten, fashioned from an escape silk map given to her by a boyfriend in the Royal Air Force (Milan and Trieste are still visible, each city on one breast...). Similarly, the V&A archive in London houses woven silk maps from 1940 belonging to Cecile Tonge Stuart, a prominent socialite and licensed aviator nicknamed "Bat" for her busy night life. Stuart's maps were personalized for private use.
Intrigued by the trend? Check out in vintage markets for original silk maps from World War II, or find contemporary fabric maps and come up with your own DIY map project.
Image credits for this post
Daily Express war maps from 1944 and stickers. Image © Stewart Attwood
F24 aerial camera with a 5 inch lens and hand grip mounting, used by the Royal Air Force for reconnaissance during the Second World War. Image © Stewart Attwoo
'Major Robert W. Cairns MBE, TD, MA Father's Memorabilia, North West Europe', (1995), by Joyce W Cairns PPRSA. Image © Stewart Attwood
Assistant Textile Conservator Stella Gardner adjusting a silk dress made from escape and evade maps used during the Second World War, on loan from Worthing Museum and Art Gallery. Image © Stewart Attwood
Detail of a silk dress made from escape and evade maps used during the Second World War, on loan from Worthing Museum and Art Gallery. Image © Stewart Attwood
Printed silk map, Victoria & Albert Museum Archive, London, 1940
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