Monika Benndorf

Monika Benndorf
Country of birth: Netherlands
Born during the war from a relationship between a German soldier and a Dutch woman.

Monika was born during the war out of love between a German soldier and her mother. The heart of the top represents love; forbidden love.

The design

The zipper represents the scar in this love, because the connection had to be broken. On the outside of the heart, the names of her father and mother are carved, like one would do on a tree. Her father used to rock her to sleep with Schubert's Lindenbaum. Together with Monika, Mirte created a screen print of a linden tree leaf for "Plaatsmaken." Mirte used this to create the bag. The skirt is made from existing thermal army clothing, a nod to her father. The sleeves of the cardigan hug the hips like hands on the stomach, because Monika has had a hard time but was born of love.