French fashion during the German occupation in the dairy of Andrzej Bobkowski 1940 -1944

Abstract

Blocked in Paris in 1939 en route to South America, Andrzej Bobkowski (1913-1961), Polish writer and essayist, holds a diary during the period of German occupation. This document of great value, published in French in 1991, is rich in cultural, philosophical and literary references. It also provides fascinating details and observations on daily life of Parisians under the Nazi boot where fashion and elegance every day become a sort of aesthetic response to the situation and a patriotic duty. Fantasy hats and wooden soled shoes, rabbit furs and couture dresses, skirts for cyclists and legs painted due to the lack of silk stockings – French fashion dark years succeeded in combining creativity, comfort and chic to remain faithful to the ideal of beauty and femininity.

Keywords

• Andrzej Bobkowski
• journal intime
• mode
• occupation allemande