A 14-year global collaborative embroidery project, The Red Dress was conceived by British artist Kirstie Macleod to provide a platform for individuals—especially women in vulnerable situations—to tell their stories through embroidery. In a coup for Queensland, The Red Dress will be presented at Museum of Brisbane and Warwick Art Gallery giving audiences right across the state the chance to see this beautiful work.
From 2009 to 2023, the dress travelled the world, embroidered by 367 women, 11 men, and two non-binary artists from 51 countries. Constructed from 87 panels of burgundy silk dupion, it holds a Guinness World Record for the largest collaborative embroidery project.
Every thread carries a story. The dress includes contributions from refugees, asylum seekers, survivors of war, and disadvantaged women across the globe, with all commissioned embroiderers compensated. It also features Lambani embroidery from southern India, gathered by Kirstie in 2002, which inspired the project.
Initially intended to spark dialogue on identity, The Red Dress evolved into a powerful platform for self-expression, amplifying marginalised voices and addressing vital social issues. Some artisans are rebuilding their lives through embroidery, using their skills to support themselves and their communities.
Now complete, the 6.8 kg dress is covered in an estimated 1–1.5 billion stitches and has been exhibited in major galleries and political gatherings worldwide. It continues to travel, aiming to reach diverse audiences, including refugees, vulnerable individuals, and those with complex needs.
The Australian contribution to The Red Dress is an intricate and highly skilled embroidery, created by 24 members of Brisbane’s Allthreads community, that beautifully captures our unique landscape, flora, and fauna. Museum of Brisbane is honoured to present this extraordinary project and looks forward to welcoming the embroidery and textile community, audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds, and those interested in seeing the exquisite details of this artwork up close for the first time in Australia.
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Support for the project has come from 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.
