Poppies: The Warflower

The Story Behind Poppies of War

At SOTURI, we believe the materials you wear should carry meaning. Our latest release, Poppies of War, honors one of the most enduring symbols of remembrance and the sacrifices made across battlefields, old and new. Both Afghanistan and World War I are associated with poppies, but the context and significance of the flower differ greatly in each situation. In essence, the poppy in WW1 represents remembrance and sacrifice, while the poppy in Afghanistan symbolizes the complex challenges of drug production, conflict, and economic development. 

A Tribute to Courage and Memory

The red poppy has stood as a powerful emblem of remembrance for over a century. Its roots trace back to the First World War, where the bright crimson flowers were the first to bloom on the war-torn battlefields of Flanders.

Inspired by those fields and the words of In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, American Moina Michael made a simple yet lasting promise — to always wear a red poppy as a tribute to the fallen. That act sparked a national movement. In 1920, the American Legion adopted the poppy as a formal symbol of remembrance, and a year later, it became the centerpiece of National Poppy Day, a tradition that continues to this day.

Across the country — from the steps of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to quiet hometown ceremonies — the poppy remains a visible, powerful reminder that the cost of freedom is never forgotten.

But the story of the poppy doesn't end in the past.

The Modern Complexity

During the United States’ long war in Afghanistan, the poppy took on a far more complicated role. Afghanistan became the world’s largest producer of opium poppies — a crop that fueled both local economies and insurgent groups.

What once symbolized remembrance became entangled with the harsh realities of modern conflict. U.S. forces initially targeted poppy fields, hoping to disrupt funding for the Taliban. But as the years passed, it became clear that destroying livelihoods only deepened the struggle. The strategy evolved — focusing on stability, understanding, and the complex human terrain that defines modern warfare.

Our Poppies of War pattern acknowledges both sides of that story — the enduring beauty of the poppy as a symbol of sacrifice, and the hard lessons of how that same flower shaped America’s longest war.

The Material

Handcrafted from upcycled, military-grade 500D Cordura canvas, these straps breathe new life into battle-tested materials. Durable, comfortable, and steeped in meaning, each strap carries the marks of authenticity that only hard-use textiles can provide.