I was lost but then I was found again.

"A La Pêche aux Moules" Geology Map of UK signed and sealed E.L. Elisabeth Lecourt. "Knock Knock" Map of London Signed and sealed E.L. Elisabeth Lecourt .

"Ballon view of London" Map of London Signed and sealed E.L. Elisabeth Lecourt.

Elisabeth Lecourt, born in France in 1972, now lives and works in London. Educated at Central Saint Martin's and achieving her Masters at the Royal College of Art in 2001, Lecourt exhibits in New York, Brussels, Madrid, Mexico, London and more.

Her head turning work includes her intriguing line of map-wear. She folds and cuts individual maps by region to produce clothes not to be worn but rather hung, mostly pleated parochial dresses and button-down shirts made out of modern maps. Universal by nature, her work is popular wherever shown. In 2004 summer "les robes géographiques travelled to Brussels, London, and New York and she was named 2004 Best Newcomer by BIDA, the British Interior Design Association.

I found these exquisite pieces of art while just searching through google for "map dresses" this wasn't just for a random reason (though I do suggest you do that from time to time some of the garments or items that come up are just beautiful or sometimes insane.) I'm looking at the milk maps which were used during the second world war by the military you can read about these said maps on two earlier posts. And I also briefly touched on the subway dress from Nordstrom. So while getting a few pieces on these maps to bulk up my research I came across Elizabeth Lecourt and I have to state that I am so glad I did, these garments are truly incredible obviously they are utterly impractical for actual use but just to look at they are stunning.

Though as many may expect that the dresses are my favourites of this genre of Elizabeth's work you would be wrong. My favourite piece by far is her shirt and its not because its a map of London ( though it is nice to know that I've actually been to some of the places on that map, but not nearly enough of them!) it'd because I just really adore shirts. The cut, structure and most importantly the collars and the detail which goes into the sleeves and buttons but I feel this shirt really speaks I suppose you would say it knows where its going in the world. I find the Idea of using a map for "the fabric" of a garment really interesting and its something I'm playing with the intention of for my final collection.

So would any of you like the idea of a playsuit with panels of maps on?

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Let's never get lost again.

During the Second World War the clever people at MI9 (the escape and evasion wing of British Military Intelligence) developed the idea of printing maps on silk because they were much better for escape and evasion purposes than conventional paper or linen-backed maps. Silk maps were and still are extremely durable, do not disintegrate in water, are not damaged by repeated folding and unfolding or by being scrunched up and are silent to unfold and use, which was crucial if you were trying to silently find how to escape or where to go. Silk scarves were also simple to conceal. They were often sewn into the lining of a jacket or the hem of an undergarment. A silk map was unlikely to be found during a prisoner search. So not only were these special scarves able to help you find your way back home but they also provided a certain warmth to airmen shot down over Europe in cold weather. While those in hot areas such found them invaluable as head and face-wraps to keep the blazing sun off their faces.

Several hundred thousand silk maps were produced during the Second World War. It is also estimated that of the 35 thousand British and Allied troops who managed to escape from behind enemy lines over more than half used a silk map to aid them. Apparently there is a number of these maps still around today and are now highly collectable and sought after. Well I wish I could have one of these historical pieces of beauty to add to my vintage scarf collection, unfortunately for now I can only dream of owning one.

So I would think of this as the modern equivalent of the silk scarf map. does anyone else think that paper maps are sometimes useless especially when it’s bucketing it down and they go all soggy. So imagine a dress with a map on it. The effect is strangely beautiful. This map silk printed dress is colorful and very pretty in it’s bright hues. This dress is from Nordstrom and is a map of the subways. But I think I would really love one with a map of the British isles on, or possibly something more useful to me. Maybe if you get lost a lot, this might just come in handy. The dress looks extremely chic and trendy with its fitted bodice and full, pleated skirt.

So would any of my American readers wears this dress? And to my English bloggers would you like it if one of our stores started selling map clothing? I know I would.

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