https://reddressembroidery.com The Red Dress Sun, 16 Mar 2025 15:54:02 +0000 https://reddressembroidery.com en https://reddressembroidery.com/Home Wed, 11 Aug 2021 09:36:44 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/Home Embroiderers COUNTRIES DRESS SEE MORE https://reddressembroidery.com/Text-Content-One Wed, 11 Aug 2021 09:36:46 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/Text-Content-One A 14-year, award-winning global, collaborative embroidery projectThe Red Dress project, conceived by British artist Kirstie Macleod, provides an artistic platform for individuals, particularly women, and communities around the world, many of whom are vulnerable and/or live in poverty, to tell their stories through embroidery. From 2009 to 2023, pieces of The Red Dress and later the completed garment travelled the globe being embroidered onto. Constructed out of 87 panels of burgundy silk dupion, the dress has been worked on by 367 women/girls, 11 men/boys and two non-binary artists from 51 countries, earning it a place in the Guinness World Records 2026 for the largest collaborative embroidery project. All 141 commissioned embroiderers were paid for their work and receive a portion of all ongoing exhibition fees and merchandise sales. Further embroidery was added by willing audiences at various exhibitions and events. &nbsp; The dress’ embroiderers include female refugees from Palestine, Syria and Ukraine, women seeking asylum in the UK from Iran, Iraq, China, Nigeria and Namibia, survivors of war and genocide in Rwanda, DR Congo, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina and Kosovo, impoverished and disadvantaged women in South Africa, Mexico and Egypt, individuals in Kenya, Japan, Turkey, Jamaica, Sweden, Peru, Czech Republic, Dubai, Afghanistan, Australia, Argentina, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Tobago, Vietnam, Estonia, USA, Russia, Pakistan, Wales, Colombia and England, students from Montenegro, Brazil, Malta, Singapore, Eritrea, Norway, Poland, Finland, Ireland, Romania and Hong Kong as well as artisans from embroidery studios in India and Saudi Arabia. The dress also features pieces of Lambani embroidery gathered by Kirstie during her travels in southern India in 2002, honouring the hours she spent stitching alongside Lambani women. Without a common language these interactions unfolded through a shared love and understanding of stitch and embroidery. They had a profound effect on Kirstie and seven years later provided huge inspiration for creating The Red Dress.&nbsp; . <img width="1333" height="2000" width_o="1333" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a3df74cab3ec287b2a72b9eab06de1c4e15618ba84e3f6a9999066b8c6487e52/-From-Victim-to-Victory--created-by-15-female-survivors-of-conflict-related-sexual-violence--supported-by-the-War-Childhood-Musuem-in-Sarajevo--Bosnia---Herzegovina-2022.jpg" data-mid="173522012" border="0" alt="'From Victim to Victory' created by 15 female survivors of conflict related sexual violence, supported by the War Childhood Musuem in Sarajevo, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, 2022" data-caption="'From Victim to Victory' created by 15 female survivors of conflict related sexual violence, supported by the War Childhood Musuem in Sarajevo, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, 2022" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a3df74cab3ec287b2a72b9eab06de1c4e15618ba84e3f6a9999066b8c6487e52/-From-Victim-to-Victory--created-by-15-female-survivors-of-conflict-related-sexual-violence--supported-by-the-War-Childhood-Musuem-in-Sarajevo--Bosnia---Herzegovina-2022.jpg" /> <img width="1343" height="941" width_o="1343" height_o="941" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0e2efbacae012ccbe46d1b915472e50126fb2ad3859ad874734626085076d2ac/Refugees-from-Ukraine-embroidering-onto-the-Red-Dress-during-the--Traces-of-Sisterhood--exhibtion-at-Galeriia-Salon-Akademii-in-Warsaw--Poland--2022.JPG" data-mid="173522038" border="0" alt="Refugees from Ukraine embroidering onto the Red Dress during the 'Traces of Sisterhood' exhibtion at Galeriia Salon Akademii in Warsaw, Poland, 2022" data-caption="Refugees from Ukraine embroidering onto the Red Dress during the 'Traces of Sisterhood' exhibtion at Galeriia Salon Akademii in Warsaw, Poland, 2022" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0e2efbacae012ccbe46d1b915472e50126fb2ad3859ad874734626085076d2ac/Refugees-from-Ukraine-embroidering-onto-the-Red-Dress-during-the--Traces-of-Sisterhood--exhibtion-at-Galeriia-Salon-Akademii-in-Warsaw--Poland--2022.JPG" /> <img width="864" height="576" width_o="864" height_o="576" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8b5b349b337544aa2baac8ed45a1063ae5e29aea98c0e2d5c0b8071b6e867845/Home-Page_2.jpg" data-mid="119513849" border="0" alt="Kirstie Macleod and the Red Dress, UK, 2021" data-caption="Kirstie Macleod and the Red Dress, UK, 2021" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/864/i/8b5b349b337544aa2baac8ed45a1063ae5e29aea98c0e2d5c0b8071b6e867845/Home-Page_2.jpg" /> <img width="576" height="864" width_o="576" height_o="864" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/07549faa9ab705258ad61089f5a5e44a360fbe7baae40e084c0c7c659532dc47/Home-Page_3.jpg" data-mid="119513850" border="0" alt="Kiki Jerome, Artisan from Somerset, UK, 2021" data-caption="Kiki Jerome, Artisan from Somerset, UK, 2021" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/576/i/07549faa9ab705258ad61089f5a5e44a360fbe7baae40e084c0c7c659532dc47/Home-Page_3.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2869" width_o="3000" height_o="2869" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/45a21362c05fc738517aaaa7ea7c16f6d6a5732ba4cff51c78dda6e3a1057a64/Red-Dress-worn-by-Sharmin-Sadiq_Kurdistan.jpg" data-mid="140035673" border="0" alt="Red Dress worn by Sharmin Faeq Sadiq, Kurdistan, Iraq supported by the 'Swansea Women's Asylum and Refugee Support Group', Wales, 2022" data-caption="Red Dress worn by Sharmin Faeq Sadiq, Kurdistan, Iraq supported by the 'Swansea Women's Asylum and Refugee Support Group', Wales, 2022" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/45a21362c05fc738517aaaa7ea7c16f6d6a5732ba4cff51c78dda6e3a1057a64/Red-Dress-worn-by-Sharmin-Sadiq_Kurdistan.jpg" /> <img width="1368" height="1695" width_o="1368" height_o="1695" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3fb05cc3745010e2f5518c5e8ccfdc4086565b877dd07af1e066cbf66c42147f/Saranda_-Bogujevci_Parliment_Kosovo_2021_Photo_Kirstie-Macleod.jpg" data-mid="123305705" border="0" alt="MP Saranda Bogujevci, Deputy Head of Parliament, Kosovo, 2021" data-caption="MP Saranda Bogujevci, Deputy Head of Parliament, Kosovo, 2021" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3fb05cc3745010e2f5518c5e8ccfdc4086565b877dd07af1e066cbf66c42147f/Saranda_-Bogujevci_Parliment_Kosovo_2021_Photo_Kirstie-Macleod.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="3000" width_o="2000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/529d645f9e4ea906e5b24f7108665ca17de99f88f1bd376b454c5da05a493e5f/Embroidery-detail-from-Allthreads-community--Brisbane--Australia--2019.jpg" data-mid="140035525" border="0" alt="Embroidery detail from Allthreads community, Brisbane, Australia, 2019" data-caption="Embroidery detail from Allthreads community, Brisbane, Australia, 2019" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/529d645f9e4ea906e5b24f7108665ca17de99f88f1bd376b454c5da05a493e5f/Embroidery-detail-from-Allthreads-community--Brisbane--Australia--2019.jpg" /> <img width="945" height="670" width_o="945" height_o="670" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/084be7cb6170425ecd84b08ab2ab11c18b15213a72e592bd7f459d3b5edcaee4/482A9067_ss.jpg" data-mid="116182032" border="0" alt="Exhibiting the Red Dress in Zig Zag, Glastonbury, UK 2020" data-caption="Exhibiting the Red Dress in Zig Zag, Glastonbury, UK 2020" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/945/i/084be7cb6170425ecd84b08ab2ab11c18b15213a72e592bd7f459d3b5edcaee4/482A9067_ss.jpg" /> <img width="1280" height="960" width_o="1280" height_o="960" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/14d2eb95568914c88c2389ddb65f9ed5946c59710e8e002469c0b6c13962917a/M_2.jpg" data-mid="116182018" border="0" alt="Hilaria Lopez Patisht&aacute;n, supported by Kitzen, Chiapas, Mexico, 2018" data-caption="Hilaria Lopez Patishtán, supported by Kitzen, Chiapas, Mexico, 2018" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/14d2eb95568914c88c2389ddb65f9ed5946c59710e8e002469c0b6c13962917a/M_2.jpg" /> <img width="1797" height="1423" width_o="1797" height_o="1423" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f34911bcd15975d2ce541918f373dd8ea93cba972f275011e43f1010a54b3377/Hilaria.jpg" data-mid="116182027" border="0" alt="Hilaria Lopez Patisht&aacute;n, supported by Kitzen, Chiapas, Mexico, 2020" data-caption="Hilaria Lopez Patishtán, supported by Kitzen, Chiapas, Mexico, 2020" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f34911bcd15975d2ce541918f373dd8ea93cba972f275011e43f1010a54b3377/Hilaria.jpg" /> <img width="1512" height="1512" width_o="1512" height_o="1512" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/686ca6eef231c4e5494a1c40edce4183883692546a6706f7f19500ae29a71846/M_3.jpg" data-mid="116182019" border="0" alt="Embroidery by Zenaida Aguilar, supported by Kitzen, Chiapas, Mexico, 2018" data-caption="Embroidery by Zenaida Aguilar, supported by Kitzen, Chiapas, Mexico, 2018" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/686ca6eef231c4e5494a1c40edce4183883692546a6706f7f19500ae29a71846/M_3.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1605" width_o="2000" height_o="1605" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0a60ce5ec977be14cd880a5b10d57a78a935eb9434dfee5fb176ee24147144ee/Rwanda_s.jpg" data-mid="116182020" border="0" alt="&lsquo;From Darkness to Light&rsquo; by 6 Artisans from Aproade, Rwanda, 2018" data-caption="‘From Darkness to Light’ by 6 Artisans from Aproade, Rwanda, 2018" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0a60ce5ec977be14cd880a5b10d57a78a935eb9434dfee5fb176ee24147144ee/Rwanda_s.jpg" /> <img width="1723" height="1901" width_o="1723" height_o="1901" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/603086bf89c3283d9ba2e2bf3f5a16a62d957ed71b00c7a076f19565a17e5ff4/Anastasia_Serenebird_Russia.jpg" data-mid="116182021" border="0" alt="Anastasia Yurievna Katyshevtseva, Chitta, Russia, 2018" data-caption="Anastasia Yurievna Katyshevtseva, Chitta, Russia, 2018" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/603086bf89c3283d9ba2e2bf3f5a16a62d957ed71b00c7a076f19565a17e5ff4/Anastasia_Serenebird_Russia.jpg" /> <img width="908" height="1613" width_o="908" height_o="1613" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cd8f8c4784d103cdfd923c06b1d9eeb5d774fdf9e0e653665077bcb1b37bdd1c/Annonciata-Mukarewego.jpg" data-mid="116182022" border="0" alt="Annonciata Mukarewego, supported by Kisany, Rwanda, 2018" data-caption="Annonciata Mukarewego, supported by Kisany, Rwanda, 2018" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/908/i/cd8f8c4784d103cdfd923c06b1d9eeb5d774fdf9e0e653665077bcb1b37bdd1c/Annonciata-Mukarewego.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1500" width_o="2000" height_o="1500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b3918a410a6ed88d5a7e8b59934658175bb81b0eef9aaa851f5936c170201ebe/Barocco_Amanda_Wright_-WALES.jpg" data-mid="116182023" border="0" alt="Amanda Wright, Wales, UK, 2010" data-caption="Amanda Wright, Wales, UK, 2010" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b3918a410a6ed88d5a7e8b59934658175bb81b0eef9aaa851f5936c170201ebe/Barocco_Amanda_Wright_-WALES.jpg" /> <img width="1000" height="667" width_o="1000" height_o="667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2d748e14d9363639df34c356f3158c7826d7a82974ea90d25bd879a5ca883873/Barocco_No-Ayini_SA.jpg" data-mid="116182024" border="0" alt="Ayo Amon Demi supported by Missibaba, South Africa, 2010" data-caption="Ayo Amon Demi supported by Missibaba, South Africa, 2010" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2d748e14d9363639df34c356f3158c7826d7a82974ea90d25bd879a5ca883873/Barocco_No-Ayini_SA.jpg" /> <img width="527" height="800" width_o="527" height_o="800" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/823929f90894f9505eb4fde84d1ec37e21e8071522841195beb7eac639c1b8f6/DSC_0008_s.jpg" data-mid="116182025" border="0" alt="Selema Gabaly, founder of FanSina, Sinai, Egypt, 2015" data-caption="Selema Gabaly, founder of FanSina, Sinai, Egypt, 2015" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/527/i/823929f90894f9505eb4fde84d1ec37e21e8071522841195beb7eac639c1b8f6/DSC_0008_s.jpg" /> https://reddressembroidery.com/Text-Content Wed, 11 Aug 2021 09:36:50 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/Text-Content <img width="3442" height="2197" width_o="3442" height_o="2197" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/65481ef3fc1a3047c5e3ef13b7636ca502000871ea2c22c37a421dd6111ea0e3/RD-at-KTB_HAMPI_2024.jpg" data-mid="223160584" border="0" alt="The Red Dress at &lsquo;Knots That Bind&rsquo;, Hampi Art Labs, India, 2024" data-caption="The Red Dress at ‘Knots That Bind’, Hampi Art Labs, India, 2024" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/65481ef3fc1a3047c5e3ef13b7636ca502000871ea2c22c37a421dd6111ea0e3/RD-at-KTB_HAMPI_2024.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1451" width_o="2000" height_o="1451" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/87e28181fe7b30d9bacd947f4bcefcf26b531d58a19da3101624465422510cd7/The-Red-Dress-at-the-Council-of-Europe--part-of-the-PACE-Session-on--Equality-and-Non-Discrimination----Strasbourg--France--2023.jpg" data-mid="173522517" border="0" alt="The Red Dress at the Council of Europe, part of the PACE Session on 'Equality and Non Discrimination' Strasbourg, France, 2023" data-caption="The Red Dress at the Council of Europe, part of the PACE Session on 'Equality and Non Discrimination' Strasbourg, France, 2023" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/87e28181fe7b30d9bacd947f4bcefcf26b531d58a19da3101624465422510cd7/The-Red-Dress-at-the-Council-of-Europe--part-of-the-PACE-Session-on--Equality-and-Non-Discrimination----Strasbourg--France--2023.jpg" /> <img width="1512" height="2016" width_o="1512" height_o="2016" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/343cff12e987d02e0645d6878078560b4d0e55502c1cf81aad50347029a3e455/Heroinat-Memorial_RD-worn-by-Kirstie-Macleod_Kosovo_Photo_Pam-Dawes.jpg" data-mid="123305724" border="0" alt="The Red Dress at the Heroinat Memorial, Pristina, Kosovo, 2021" data-caption="The Red Dress at the Heroinat Memorial, Pristina, Kosovo, 2021" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/343cff12e987d02e0645d6878078560b4d0e55502c1cf81aad50347029a3e455/Heroinat-Memorial_RD-worn-by-Kirstie-Macleod_Kosovo_Photo_Pam-Dawes.jpg" /> <img width="904" height="1301" width_o="904" height_o="1301" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5437f3da89e6f48727c14fd7f9cd75e3b4fe3f6ffd9903da11915d4c0fcb0c01/Janingapara_Katjiuanjo--Artisan-from-Namibiya_Supported-by-the-Swansea-Womens-Asylum-and-Refugee-Support-Group_2022.jpg" data-mid="140041621" border="0" alt="Janingapara Katjiuanjo, Namibia supported by the Swansea Women&rsquo;s Asylum and Refugee Support Group, 2022" data-caption="Janingapara Katjiuanjo, Namibia supported by the Swansea Women’s Asylum and Refugee Support Group, 2022" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/904/i/5437f3da89e6f48727c14fd7f9cd75e3b4fe3f6ffd9903da11915d4c0fcb0c01/Janingapara_Katjiuanjo--Artisan-from-Namibiya_Supported-by-the-Swansea-Womens-Asylum-and-Refugee-Support-Group_2022.jpg" /> <img width="576" height="864" width_o="576" height_o="864" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3eb556c7e815c3b97d2f379fd64314d356b40a7d6f2ed889b613f575baf6d804/Embroidery-by-Elna-Carr_-Sweden--2018.jpg" data-mid="140039550" border="0" alt="Embroidery by Elna Carr, Sweden, 2018" data-caption="Embroidery by Elna Carr, Sweden, 2018" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/576/i/3eb556c7e815c3b97d2f379fd64314d356b40a7d6f2ed889b613f575baf6d804/Embroidery-by-Elna-Carr_-Sweden--2018.jpg" /> <img width="1335" height="2000" width_o="1335" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2326cdcebaff8d0015368fa3499b5f52a2c1d426d2a5ca0b9537d1812c8d5b41/dRESS-BACK.jpg" data-mid="140773226" border="0" alt="Embroidery details from Pakistan and Japan 2018 and Columbia 2019" data-caption="Embroidery details from Pakistan and Japan 2018 and Columbia 2019" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2326cdcebaff8d0015368fa3499b5f52a2c1d426d2a5ca0b9537d1812c8d5b41/dRESS-BACK.jpg" /> <img width="1339" height="2000" width_o="1339" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c0fc15eed50126ad90e59f1effdf901dc0246370a188a6f3a18a337b62172440/Fansina_bodice.jpg" data-mid="116182042" border="0" alt="Hamida Gabaly, FanSina artisan, Sinai, Egypt, 2015" data-caption="Hamida Gabaly, FanSina artisan, Sinai, Egypt, 2015" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c0fc15eed50126ad90e59f1effdf901dc0246370a188a6f3a18a337b62172440/Fansina_bodice.jpg" /> <img width="2195" height="1463" width_o="2195" height_o="1463" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/630e94ce71cc2a1595bed4b6910b26ab5d0b6ef70c6f153ddcea33d26e8f0927/Gisele--Esther-et-Esperance-2_DRC.jpg" data-mid="116182043" border="0" alt="Gisèle, Esther and Espérance, supported by KISANY, DR Congo, 2018" data-caption="Gisèle, Esther and Espérance, supported by KISANY, DR Congo, 2018" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/630e94ce71cc2a1595bed4b6910b26ab5d0b6ef70c6f153ddcea33d26e8f0927/Gisele--Esther-et-Esperance-2_DRC.jpg" /> <img width="825" height="559" width_o="825" height_o="559" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cee031069f21e3f9bc15349cff768bf91e877fa453e632c29783a06aa6dbc1eb/Home-Page_7.jpg" data-mid="119513865" border="0" alt="Diana Milstein, Artisan from Somerset, UK 2021" data-caption="Diana Milstein, Artisan from Somerset, UK 2021" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/825/i/cee031069f21e3f9bc15349cff768bf91e877fa453e632c29783a06aa6dbc1eb/Home-Page_7.jpg" /> <img width="669" height="1000" width_o="669" height_o="1000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/72dc3ec1452b04649d6e05528cb9ac3beb469c7b0f4eddc63c86def0ce5532f1/image009.jpg" data-mid="116182045" border="0" alt="Bodice back detail, UK, 2019" data-caption="Bodice back detail, UK, 2019" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/669/i/72dc3ec1452b04649d6e05528cb9ac3beb469c7b0f4eddc63c86def0ce5532f1/image009.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1328" width_o="2000" height_o="1328" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5b996abc66c37d9cf12c8e070e2edafde9cb58a241371b2af26c5317a2f37a36/IMG_2944.jpg" data-mid="116182046" border="0" alt="Embroidery by Feride and Fatime Hallili, Sister Stitch, supported by Manchester Aid to Kosovo, 2018" data-caption="Embroidery by Feride and Fatime Hallili, Sister Stitch, supported by Manchester Aid to Kosovo, 2018" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5b996abc66c37d9cf12c8e070e2edafde9cb58a241371b2af26c5317a2f37a36/IMG_2944.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1500" width_o="2000" height_o="1500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8bdd5bcdf9a9cacd9e8cc45c1ff378bfd16475a2c48a510c286fe98188dca1f5/IMG_7456.jpg" data-mid="116182048" border="0" alt="Embroidery detail by Diana Griffiths, Somerset, UK, 2020" data-caption="Embroidery detail by Diana Griffiths, Somerset, UK, 2020" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8bdd5bcdf9a9cacd9e8cc45c1ff378bfd16475a2c48a510c286fe98188dca1f5/IMG_7456.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2001" width_o="3000" height_o="2001" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c844c8c282f69c6cf29307884ec6b75321255f278eee3aab99bf23c0e7725acd/Sharmin-Sadiq_Kurdistan-and-Tugba-Gula_Turkey.jpg" data-mid="140041939" border="0" alt="Sharmin Sadiq, Kurdistan and Tugba Gula, Turkey, supported by Swansea Women&rsquo;s Asylum and Refugee Support Group, Wales, 2022" data-caption="Sharmin Sadiq, Kurdistan and Tugba Gula, Turkey, supported by Swansea Women’s Asylum and Refugee Support Group, Wales, 2022" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c844c8c282f69c6cf29307884ec6b75321255f278eee3aab99bf23c0e7725acd/Sharmin-Sadiq_Kurdistan-and-Tugba-Gula_Turkey.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="1280" width_o="960" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/929990c43b7a8b50485d77d252d76e0cc9e01d2a83c5cff62e3f8c73acd9dde6/M_1.jpg" data-mid="116182051" border="0" alt="Zenaida Aguilar, supported by Kitzen, Chiapas, Mexico 2018" data-caption="Zenaida Aguilar, supported by Kitzen, Chiapas, Mexico 2018" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/929990c43b7a8b50485d77d252d76e0cc9e01d2a83c5cff62e3f8c73acd9dde6/M_1.jpg" /> The intention of The Red Dress Initially the project sought to generate a dialogue of identity through embroidery, uniting people around the world across borders and boundaries. However, over the 14 years it was created, The Red Dress also become a platform for self-expression and an opportunity for, often marginalised, voices to be amplified and heard, initiating vital dialogues on important and frequently uncomfortable issues. Many of the artisans are established textile professionals, but there are also pieces contributed by first-time embroiderers. The artists were encouraged to create a work that represented them personally while also reflecting their culture and traditions. Some used embroidery styles practiced for hundreds of years within their family, village or town, while others chose simple stitches to convey powerful, at times traumatic, events from their past and the potential for healing through the act of voicing and processing their experiences via the dress. Some of the artisans are rebuilding their lives with the help of embroidery, using their skills or being trained in embroidery to earn a consistent living to support themselves and their communities.

 The completed garment The Red Dress’&nbsp;14-year creation journey around the world is now complete with the garment assembled in its final configuration. Covered in an estimated 1-1.5 billion stitches, the 6.8 kg. silk dress is weighted as much by the individual and collective stories it gives voice to as by the threads and beads that adorn it. The Red Dress has been exhibited in major galleries and museums worldwide, including Galerie Maeght in Paris, Art Dubai, Museo De Arte Popular in Mexico City, the National Library of Kosovo, War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo, Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, Frick Pittsburgh, Fuller Craft Museum in Massachusetts, National Waterfront Museum in Wales, Fashion and Textile Museum in London, Hampi Art Labs in India, an event at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the&nbsp;Premio Valcellina Textiles Award in Maniago, Italy, where it won first prize in 2012. The Red Dress has also been presented within significant political and human rights contexts. It was invited to be displayed at the United Nations in Geneva in 2026 with the Human Rights Division of the UK Mission, and at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Winter Session on Equality and Non-Discrimination in Strasbourg in January 2023. During this session, two Ukrainian refugees contributed embroidery to the dress on behalf of the women of the Assembly. A delegate later reflected that The Red Dress offered a powerful and tangible way to engage more deeply with the issues being discussed.&nbsp; Moving forward, as well as continuing to develop a strong online presence through the Digital Red Dress&nbsp;and social media, the garment will be travelling to many different galleries, museums and event spaces around the world on its exhibition tour, with the aim to be accessible to all. Kirstie hopes to take the dress to visit the countries of all 141 commissioned embroiderers who contributed to it and exhibit The Red Dress alongside the artisans’ own work in their chosen venue.&nbsp;The Calico Garment initiative and other projects inspired by The Red Dress is supporting this vision. With the help of funding and by collaborating with professionals, groups and charities, the project continues to ensure the dress touches the lives of audiences it might not otherwise reach, among them refugees, vulnerable individuals, those with complex needs, the visually impaired and blind and recovering addicts. Inclusivity is a cornerstone of The Red Dress and Kirstie was proud to display the garment at the FLINT Festival of Rights (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans) in 2023 which included sessions on tackling gender-based violence. Support for the project Practical and logistical support for commissions for The Red Dress was provided by the following charities, self-help development projects, social enterprises and various initiatives providing support to women in poverty: Manchester Aid to Kosovo&nbsp;supporting&nbsp;Sister Stitch&nbsp;in Kosovo,&nbsp;KISANY&nbsp;in Rwanda and DR Congo,&nbsp;Missibaba&nbsp;in South Africa,&nbsp;Kitzen&nbsp;in Mexico,&nbsp;Al Badia&nbsp;in Lebanon supporting Palestinan refugees,&nbsp;FanSina&nbsp;in Egypt, the&nbsp;Swansea Women’s Asylum and Refugee Support Group in Wales,&nbsp;White Ribbon Alliance in the UK and the&nbsp;War Childhood Musuem in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Seed investment for the project was provided by the British Council Dubai in 2009, with subsequent funding received from the Arts Council England National Lottery Fund, three British Embassies, Contemporary Middle East, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Frick Pittsburgh and Fuller Craft Museum, USA, JSW Foundation, India, hundreds of individuals around the world via three crowdfunding campaigns as well as private donations. https://reddressembroidery.com/First-section Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:04:52 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/First-section <img width="3675" height="3675" width_o="3675" height_o="3675" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/97f8aa12264e48354e25f2171d173c336359b0ec67cd7f375ea4366e016ebde6/Hard-back-cover.jpg" data-mid="228082523" border="0" data-scale="62" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/97f8aa12264e48354e25f2171d173c336359b0ec67cd7f375ea4366e016ebde6/Hard-back-cover.jpg" /> <img width="3529" height="3418" width_o="3529" height_o="3418" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6f432a98ab66de89a3898dd31b74020f742e15f15c0024ec47f06d219eba547b/RED-DRESS-MOCK-BLUE.jpg" data-mid="228079598" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6f432a98ab66de89a3898dd31b74020f742e15f15c0024ec47f06d219eba547b/RED-DRESS-MOCK-BLUE.jpg" /> THE RED DRESS BOOK The Red Dress: Conversations in Stitch is the much-anticipated book documenting and celebrating The Red Dress global collaborative embroidery project. Published in May 2025 to coincide with World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, the book further explores and amplifies the narratives stitched into the dress and brings together new voices from the wider project. Powerful and poignant embroiderer stories sit alongside reflections from key moments in the dress’ incredible journey from its creation 2009-2023 to ongoing exhibition tour. Featuring insights from the dress’ creator Kirstie and further organisations involved, the book also presents specially commissioned essays on themes such as empowerment, healing trauma and building community which The Red Dress opens up for audiences. How to order The Red Dress: Conversations in Stitch is published by independent publisher Quickthorn Books UK on 21 May 2025 and available to preorder from Quickthorn.com&nbsp;and good bookshops and online retailers. Softback book £25.99 (ISBN 978-1-7393160-8-2) Limited-edition hardback book £45.00 (ISBN 978-1-0683215-0-4) E-book £8.99 ISBN 978-1-0683215-1-1) BOOK REVIEWS "Abundant congratulatory wishes on the completion of The Red Dress, Conversations in Stitch. It is a lovely, poignant, and rich book that beautifully captures the history, the magic, and most importantly, the PEOPLE of the Red Dress project". Beth McLaughlin, Artistic Director / Chief Curator of Fuller Craft Museum, Massachusetts, USA - - - - - - - - -“The Red Dress: Conversations in Stitch is a moving embroidery-led chronicle of a 14-year global collaboration—a singular silk dupion dress that became a vessel for voice, memory, and cross-cultural storytelling. Beginning in 2009, this dress was embroidered by 380 contributors across 51 countries, generating over a billion stitches that carry the weight of identity, resilience, and creative communion. The book brings these stories to life with embroidered panels, intimate narratives from embroiderers, and commissioned essays exploring themes of empowerment, healing trauma, and community building.More than documentation, this book is both celebration and critical exploration. Alongside compelling personal accounts, the volume includes reflections by Kirstie Macleod, insightful essays, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on the dress’s exhibitions and impact—from solidarity events to appearances in political arenas and festivals. The publication also honours the future by channeling royalties into the Red Dress Artisan Fund, sustaining the artists who contributed to this collective statement of stitched humanity.“ Selvedge Magasine, UK - - - - - - - - - -"A most touching, heart-warming and uplifting account of what a humble stitch at a time can achieve when entrusted into the caring hands of an extraordinary person such as Kirstie Macleod.A beautiful presentation, letting the individual artisans' voices be heard and each person involved in the numerous&nbsp; projects be acknowledged for their valuable contributions.An exquisite book indeed" Nana Wagner, Writer and curator of iThemba CraftArt Gallery, Stellenbosch, South Africa https://reddressembroidery.com/Second-Section Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:18:48 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/Second-Section Support for the book The book was made possible thanks to a successful Crowdfunder campaign which raised £12,915 with the help of 295 donors supported by social media amplification by fashion historian Cassidy Zachary (@the_art_of_dress). A generous donation was also made by Mrs Sangita Jindal, chairperson of the JSW Foundation, following the exhibition of The Red Dress at Hampi Art Labs in India in November 2024. A percentage of all royalties from the sales of The Red Dress: Conversations in Stitch will go to the Red Dress Artisan Fund which provides an annual payment from the dress' income for all 141 commissioned embroiderers who stitched panels of embroidery for The Red Dress between 2009-2023. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img width="1084" height="843" width_o="1084" height_o="843" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/60bbeaf5da8564e3b8e58fe15e3563594f2c7689c3fd69e10acce2e4d590a981/lolooo.png" data-mid="228082773" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/60bbeaf5da8564e3b8e58fe15e3563594f2c7689c3fd69e10acce2e4d590a981/lolooo.png" /> &nbsp; https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-1 Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:06:33 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-1 CALICO dress NO. 1 National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, Wales / 2022 – ongoing Dress launched and initial embroidery circle led by Kirstie and community textile artist Menna Buss at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, Wales, in 2022 with ongoing activities planned.--- The first 'sister dress' to The Red Dress was unveiled on International Women’s Day in March 2022 as part of an exhibition of The Red Dress at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, Wales, in conjunction with the Swansea Women’s Asylum and Refugee Support Group (The Women’s Group). The Women’s Group, alongside a handful of exhibition visitors, contributed the final motifs to The Red Dress before its official completion in a moving and uplifting embroidery event. The launch of the Calico Dress No. 1 – known as the Calico Dress Cymru or ‘Gwisg Calico Cymru’ would mark a new beginning in the wider project. The garment aims to gather women’s voices in the heart of communities at workshops and other occasions. Originally commissioned by the National Waterfront Museum, textile artist and arts educator Menna Buss is now steering the Calico Dress Cymru&nbsp;through Spring and Summer 2025 with a dedicated space within the museum, once housing a steam locomotive!Menna plans to give the Calico Dress Cymru a reimagined Welsh Folk costume silhouette while keeping it recognisably related to The Red Dress and its sister dresses. It will be added to during open-to-the-public embroidery sessions and through specific engagement activities with community groups from Swansea and beyond. www.instagram.com/calicodress_cymru/ https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-2 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:23:52 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-2 CALICO Dress NO. 2 Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, Vermont, USA / 2023 Members of the local community added their stories to Calico Dress No. 2 ahead of and during The Red Dress exhibition at the Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, Vermont. --- The Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) was the first arts organisation in the United States to exhibit The Red Dress as part of the garment's travels across the country 2023-2024 also taking in The Frick Pittsburgh and the Fuller Craft Museum. Curated by Alison Crites, the SVAC exhibition was three years in the planning and explored the evolution of The Red Dress project including the development of the Calico Garment Initiative and launch of Calico Dress No. 2, Vermont's own collaborative piece. After an open call, more than 15 people worked on Calico Dress No. 2 prior to the exhibition adding motifs representing individual identities alongside cultural and personal influences. Profiles of the contributors and interpretation materials explaining their designs were included in the exhibition and are also detailed in an online catalogue.&nbsp; SVAC then invited members of the community and visitors to add their stories to Calico Dress No. 2 through an embroidery workshop led by Kirstie and further engagement activities during The Red Dress exhibition, resulting in a total of 58 contributions. Calico Dress No. 2 was later displayed with dresses No. 3 and 4 at the Fuller Craft Museum in the Spring of 2024 and later added to the permanent collection of the SVAC.https://www.svac.org/class/red-dress/ https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-3 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 11:27:45 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-3 CALICO DRess NO. 3 The Frick Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA / 2023 Created by local embroiders, craftspeople and imaginative visitors of all ages to The Frick Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, over three months. --- The second stage of its three-stop 2023-2024 US tour, the exhibition in early 2024 of The Red Dress at The Frick Pittsburgh curated by Dawn Brean also saw the presentation of Calico Dress No. 3. A collaboration of 150 contributors - including arts collectives, community organisations and individuals - over three months, it was led by Linda Brown of the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh. The dress aimed to capture both personal stories and cultural heritage reflecting the rich history of Pittsburgh. It also represented an important outreach activity for The Frick Pittsburgh, engaging with refugee and migrant support groups and Women of Visions Inc., the longest-running collective of Black women visual artists in the United States, among other organisations. Over 16,000 visitors attended the exhibition, including an estimated 1000 in the final weekend. Alongside The Red Dress and an engaging timeline of the wider project, Calico Dress No. 3 was a much-admired element of the exhibition, displaying not only embroidery styles but a wide variety of fibre art techniques. Calico Dress No. 3 was displayed with dresses No. 2 and 4 at the Fuller Craft Museum in the Spring of 2024. It is now in the care of the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh. https://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/Exhibition-The-Red-Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-4 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:38:41 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-4 CALICO dress NO. 4 Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, Massachusetts, USA / 2024 Commissioned by the Fuller Craft Museum and created by the local Brockton community, led by Denise De More and the Mayflower Sampler Guild. --- Following exhibitions of The Red Dress at the Southern Vermont Arts Center and The Frick Pittsburgh during 2023-2024 and the accompanying ‘sister dresses’ made by local communities, the exhibition of The Red Dress at the Fuller Craft Museum in Spring 2024 also saw the creation of a collaborative garment. Featuring myriad techniques, colours and designs and diverse stories to match, Calico Dress No. 4 was worked on by over 200 hundred participants from the local community. Following the three-month exhibition of The Red Dress curated by Beth McLaughlin it was unveiled alongside Calico Dress No. 2 and No. 3 in a moving closing event. Exhibition venues are able to request either an assembled calico dress or one in 11 separate parts. The Mayflower Sampler Guild was instrumental in leading the creation of Calico Dress No. 4, with individual panels stitched onto by contributors before the completed garment was displayed at the Fuller Craft Museum. https://fullercraft.org/exhibitions/the-red-dress/ https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-5 Sun, 16 Mar 2025 15:54:02 +0000 The Red Dress https://reddressembroidery.com/CALICO-DRESS-NO-5 CALICO dress NO. 5 b-side Festival, Portland, Dorset, UK, 2024 – ongoing The Portland Dress was unveiled as a blank canvas at the b-side festival on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, in September 2024. It will be embellished by Portland residents and the completed dress shown at the b-side BIG Weekend in September 2025. --- Calico Dress No. 5 – the Portland Dress – was exhibited alongside The Red Dress at the St George’s Centre on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, during the b-side festival 2024. Inspired by The Red Dress, it will be decorated by local residents and those connected with the island before reemerging at the next b-side festival. Connected to the Jurassic Coast by Chesil Beach, Portland is a unique location. b-side seeks to both celebrate the island individually and its connection to the bigger picture and commissions artists who focus on people and place from both a local and global perspective. Workshops led by Portland-based textile artists Antje Rook and Sarah Whiteside will take place from January to July 2025 enabling people to come together to add their stories to the Portland Dress project around the themes of heritage, identity and migration. The events are drop-in sessions with materials provided plus support to explore basic embroidery and fabric collage techniques. Participants are invited to bring heirloom items to incorporate into their designs, with contributions added to the garment before its display in September 2025. https://b-side.org.uk/project/the-portland-dress/