The Red Dress Project : A presentation by Kirstie Macleod

We are excited to welcome Kirstie Macleod to The Loom Shed. The Red Dress is an awe inspiring project, shining a spotlight on hundreds of women whose circumstances overshadow their lives. Kirstie co-ordinated this project, travelling around the world with the dress, and we look forward to hearing more about the thought that started the project and the stories she heard as they stitched.

Kirstie has recently been elected as an Ambassador for the Textile Society for her “sustained commitment to The Red Dress as a global community project, which has become an icon of contemporary world textiles”.

The Red Dress is an award winning global collaborative embroidery project centred around a red silk dress that holds the voices and stitches of 380 individuals from 51 countries around the world. Over 60% of participants are vulnerable women; living as refugees, survivors of war and trauma, or living in extreme poverty.

The garment speaks of unity, peace and collaboration, and has become a platform for voices to be shared and heard. It also showcases an exquisite variety of embroidery skill, traditions, symbols, motifs and imagery from around the world.  For more info : www.reddressembroidery.com

For those able to join us in house, you can meet Kirstie and join us for morning coffee and cake after the talk.

Please note, The Red Dress will not be at The Loom Shed (we are a bit too worried about dust and looms), but will be exhibited at Killerton House from the 15^th November 2025.

We will record this talk for ticket holders only to watch for two weeks after the event. So if you can’t make the date or the time isn’t right for your time zone, you can still watch the talk.