Design and Art Australia Online

Susan Karas’ (nee Kardos) dream of becoming a school teacher was shattered by anti-Jewish measures in her native Czechoslovakia. Instead she was sent by her practical mother to learn to sew. Deported to Auschwitz in 1944, she survived when re-routed as a slave labourer to Sudetenland, getting extra bread for every item of clothing that she hand sewed for the warders.
With her husband and daughter she arrived in Australia in 1949. After home-dressmaking, she became a maker-upper (outworker) with Sydney dress manufacturer John J Hilton in 1951, cutting garments for local women to assemble at home. In 1959 she moved into the factory as their first designer. As the business grew, additional designers were brought in. Initially Susan designed dresses, however after 1 – 2 years doing this, she was put in charge of the successful half-size range, which became her area of speciality.
She was a designer with Leon Cutlers from 1981-1982, until her retirement in 1982.

Writers:

Date written:

2013

Last updated:

2013