Be among the first to see The Red Dress at this intimate after-dark event, where British artist Kirstie Macleod and museum conservators dress and install this extraordinary artwork before your eyes. As the garment takes shape, Kirstie will share insights into the 14-year journey behind the project and the hundreds of stories stitched into every inch.
Created by 380 embroiderers across 51 countries, including a contribution by Brisbane’s Allthreads Embroidery community, The Red Dress is a powerful expression of identity, community and connection. Throughout the evening, you will have the opportunity to hear directly from the artist, ask questions and experience the remarkable craftsmanship of the work up close.
Part installation, part conversation, this special event offers a rare glimpse into one of the world’s most ambitious collaborative textile projects, revealing the stories, skill and global connections woven into every stitch.
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Presented by Museum of Brisbane with support from Allthreads Embroidery, Queensland Women’s Historical Association, Queensland Embroidery Guild, National Council of Women Australia and private donors. Project supported by the Queensland Government.
The Red Dress project is supported by charities, social enterprises, and funding bodies, including the British Council Dubai, Arts Council England, and others.
Kirstie Macleod has been an artist for over 20 years, and for the last 16, she has dedicated herself to The Red Dress—a global tapestry of connection and expression. What began as a sketch on the back of a napkin in 2009 has blossomed into a worldwide collaborative project, touching thousands of lives across continents.
Growing up in diverse corners of the world, Kirstie’s early years were rich with contrasting cultures, colours, languages, and experiences. In her quest to make sense of her journey and shape her own identity, she turned to drawing, painting, and sewing as her language of expression.
Textiles were woven into the fabric of her upbringing. The women in Kirstie’s family were skilled stitchers, knitters, and makers, so it was only natural that she too would pick up needle and thread. She later earned a BA in Textile Design and an MA in Visual Language & Performance, launching her career as a fine artist in London. Her diverse portfolio spans photography, film, painting, drawing, and high-impact installations involving garments.
Embroidery soon became her focus. Kirstie was captivated by its diversity and potential for expression, communication, and even subversion. As she delved deeper, she discovered its rich history and practice around the world—as an art form, a part of daily life, and a meditative, healing practice. A pivotal moment came in 2002, when Kirstie travelled to southern India and spent hours stitching alongside Karnatakan Lambani women. Though they couldn’t speak the same language, they connected deeply through the shared act of stitching. Some of the embroideries from that trip now grace The Red Dress, honouring the seeds that inspired its creation.
