“This little dress was made out of an American parachute which had fallen during D-day near the famous village of Sainte-Mère église in Normandy, where my aunt Jeanne was living. Those parachutes were made of silk which was strong material, and I imagine that a lot of them were left around after the landing of those brave soldiers in June 1944.

After the end of the 2nd World War, goods were rare and especially silk. Aunt Jeanne sent my parents, who had settled near Paris, parts of a parachute out of which my mother made a blouse for herself and this little dress for me!

We wore them for the 1st communion of my elder brother in 1947.

I treasure it for its simple elegance and above all for all the very moving memories it brings back.”

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Odile Langeard Hatzopoulos