ACCESS
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE RED DRESS PROJECT WITH SUBTITLES.
The Red Dress Story | AUDIO DESCRIPTION
The Red Dress is a large silk dress covered in ornate embroidery created in 50 different countries around the world. 374 artisans have stitched onto the dress over the last 13 years. 365 women / girls, 7 men / boys and 2 non-binary individuals.
The Red Dress project was created by British artist Kirstie Macleod, an artist now living in Somerset. She wanted to create a work that would bring together individual voices and stories from around the world without borders, boundaries or prejudice, to show what is possible when we collaborate and come together supporting one another.
The burgundy red silk is richly coloured and smooth with a slight shine to it. The embroideries have been created using hundreds of different coloured threads of varying thickness, some are loud others subtle, some are smooth while others are metallic and shiny.
Some of the embroideries include bright tropical flowers from South America, tribal figures of women in patterned clothing from Kenya, a large gold lotus created in Bombay stitched with tiny metal coils and crystals, geometric patterns from Afghanistan and a large spider’s web covering much of the back of the bodice from the UK.
The embroideries vary in size, shape and style. Each artisan was invited to create a motif that shared a part of their identity and culture. Some used designs specific to their family, village or town, while others told stories from their past. All commissioned artisans were paid for their work and receive a portion of the exhibition fees.
Many of the women who created the embroideries are living as refugees, recovering from war or experiencing extreme poverty. For these women the Red Dress can help share their stories with the world.
The Red Dress is now being exhibited around the world in many different museums, galleries and event spaces, so Kirstie can share the garment and it’s stories around the globe.
The Red Dress project was created by British artist Kirstie Macleod, an artist now living in Somerset. She wanted to create a work that would bring together individual voices and stories from around the world without borders, boundaries or prejudice, to show what is possible when we collaborate and come together supporting one another.
The burgundy red silk is richly coloured and smooth with a slight shine to it. The embroideries have been created using hundreds of different coloured threads of varying thickness, some are loud others subtle, some are smooth while others are metallic and shiny.
Some of the embroideries include bright tropical flowers from South America, tribal figures of women in patterned clothing from Kenya, a large gold lotus created in Bombay stitched with tiny metal coils and crystals, geometric patterns from Afghanistan and a large spider’s web covering much of the back of the bodice from the UK.
The embroideries vary in size, shape and style. Each artisan was invited to create a motif that shared a part of their identity and culture. Some used designs specific to their family, village or town, while others told stories from their past. All commissioned artisans were paid for their work and receive a portion of the exhibition fees.
Many of the women who created the embroideries are living as refugees, recovering from war or experiencing extreme poverty. For these women the Red Dress can help share their stories with the world.
The Red Dress is now being exhibited around the world in many different museums, galleries and event spaces, so Kirstie can share the garment and it’s stories around the globe.
OUR SUPPORTERS
A huge thank you to all who have given their time, energy, enthusiasm, advice, experience and financial support to the Red Dress project over the years.
In addition to the institutions below, funding has been gratefully received from a number of private donations and 441 individuals around the world via 2 Crowdfunding campaigns in 2020 and 2022.
In addition to the institutions below, funding has been gratefully received from a number of private donations and 441 individuals around the world via 2 Crowdfunding campaigns in 2020 and 2022.
"
"