If you’re familiar with design, you’ve probably heard of the Bauhaus school (Staatliches Bauhaus) or its philosophy, Bauhaus Modernism. It’s the birthplace of modern design, known for prioritizing function over form, embracing minimalist, avant-garde aesthetics, and using primary colors like red, yellow, and blue.
In 1919, when Bauhaus was founded, its director Walter Gropius declared, “This school is open to anyone of good character, regardless of age or gender.” At a time when women had limited access to public education, Bauhaus’s commitment to gender equality was widely celebrated. In fact, during its first year, more women applied than men.
The “Gender Equality” at Bauhaus: An Unfulfilled Promise
However, this surge of female students worried Gropius, who feared that too many women would harm the school’s reputation. In response, he changed the admissions policy to accept only “exceptionally talented women.” While publicly claiming “there is no difference between the beautiful and the strong sex,” Gropius privately believed that men and women had different intellectual capabilities: women, he argued, had “two-dimensional” thinking, while men were better suited for “three-dimensional” creative work.
As a result, female students were steered toward “feminine” disciplines, such as textiles, where they wove modern fabrics for fashion companies and industrial production. They were discouraged from pursuing fields like architecture, sculpture, or painting, which were deemed “masculine”. Regardless of their talent, women were rarely given teaching roles, and they were unable to obtain apprenticeships or advanced degrees, severely limiting their career opportunities.
Success, But With Limits
Despite its rhetoric of equality, Bauhaus never truly liberated its female students. They faced many obstacles, but their achievements in the textile department made it one of the school’s most successful areas, influencing modern fabric and fashion design. Nevertheless, many of these women were unjustly forgotten and erased from history.
The End of Bauhaus
Bauhaus was forced to close in 1933 due to Nazi suppression. Although it only lasted 14 years, its influence on design has endured for more than a century. Recently, there has been a growing effort by museums to acknowledge the contributions of Bauhaus women. Books and exhibitions now celebrate these female artists, working to correct the historical oversight.
Bauhaus was both forward-thinking and regressive. More than 100 years later, the women of Bauhaus, often referred to as the Bauhausmädels, are finally gaining recognition. Each of these women, who persevered against the odds, deserves to be honored.
Photo source: Britannica、Italian Design Concept、Etsy