Artist Sara Jane Murray runs a studio called Home Front Vintage, which specializes in repurposing World War II-era silk maps into wearable, and beautiful, clothing and accessories.

These maps helped WW2 soldiers get their bearings and, if needed, get to safety. They were printed on silk rather than on paper because silk is more durable, is still readable when wet, and can be folded or rolled up for easy concealment.

Today, while the intact silk maps are in museums and archives, the damaged ones end up with artists like Murray. She turns them into clothing, accessories, and home decor that are functional, and celebrate history.

The wedding gown below was ordered by fellow artist and history lover Hester Cox.

The gown’s design was simple, allowing the pattern of the map to be the focal point.

Murray modeled the dress after one that Cox already owned, so it was sure to be her taste, and added a slight fullness to the skirt: perfect for dancing.

In case you were wondering, this wedding dress' map fabric details areas in Scandinavia.

A turquoise color was used for the lining which complemented the map beautifully, matching the water areas and contrasting with the red roads.

All in all, the dress was a beautiful success, as was the wedding!

Turning silk into dresses is not new practice. Murray comes from a long line of crafty and thrifty women who turned these silk maps into clothing ever since the 1940s.

During and shortly after the Second World War, silk and other fabrics were rationed, and so they made clothing from the old, discarded maps they could find at the surplus stores.

Today, Murray doesn’t just make dresses. She also makes clothing and accessories for men and women, as well as home decor items. Check out some of her works.

h/t Little Things