Hiltje van Eck

Hiltje van Eck
Birth country: The Netherlands
caught refugees after the Battle of Arnhem (1944-1945) and opened the house for the veterans

Her story

The house of Hiltje van Eck in Ede is spacious and warm. During the Second World War and then it is always a place where people are welcome. Hiltje has a Jewish foster sister. They shared the house with Evacuees from the Battle of Arnhem, and there was room for allied veterans and also young German soldiers. Hiltje describes the house and the time in which she grew up as loving and secure. Hiltje grows up with the war. Her house, where she still lives after some wanderings, always remains that safe haven.

The design

The fabric of the jacket is an eco-print of leaves and plants from her garden made by Hiltje and 'Sustainable Good'. A house with a garden full of memories. That is why the jacket has the shape of the house. The gold on the inside has the pattern of the floor and radiates heat. The knitted bag refers to the mazed clothing. Clothing was scarce and is passed on from sister to sister but with mazed letters. The skirt is made from old pants as Hiltje's mother made skirts at the time.