This is such a wonderful project unifying women around the world – Kirstie Macleod from Somerset, England started The Red Dress project to help marginalised women tell their stories through embroidery.
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| The finished object c/0 The Red Dress |
As she says in her introduction … her dress embroidery project has globally connected 244 embroiderers (239 women and 5 men), their families and their communities from 28 different countries by adding an image onto the dress that represents themselves and their culture.
During twelve years (2009 – 2021) pieces of burgundy silk dupioni have travelled the globe to be embroidered with cultural stories …
Embroiderers include:
- Women refugees from Palestine;
- Victims of war in Kosovo, Rwanda, and DR Congo;
- Impoverished women in South Africa, Mexico and Egypt;
- Women in Kenya, Japan, Paris, Sweden, Peru, Czech Republic, Dubai, Afghanistan, Australia, Argentina, Switzerland, Canada, Tobago, USA, Russia, Pakistan, Wales, Colombia, and the UK, as well as
- Upmarket embroidery studios in India and Saudi Arabia
It is quite stunning … and I would ask that you look at the video twelve minutes of pure indulgence for us to luxuriate in – and wonder at:
- their stories,
- their skill …
- and to see the dress in all its glory – in the individual's homeland …
- and now it is being exhibited in various galleries and museums worldwide …
Just look at the beauty … this artistic platform has really opened doors for these marginalised people to rebuild their lives.
Kindly commenters, readers – please look at the video and marvel … I exhort you to!!
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| Hilaria in Mexico - one of the talented embroiderers c/o the video |
The Red Dress will embrace you – draw you in, let you wonder at its beauty. An artistic project to be sure …
This has to be a perfect example of the We are the World Blogfest mantra:
We are the World Blogfest
In Darkness, Be Light
The Red Dress Project has completely transformed their lives … they can afford to feed themselves, earn a decent and consistent living …
The BBC Dress Embroidery Project unifies women around the world.
This has a two minute video - to give you an idea ... but the twelve minute one is superb.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
45 comments:
Thank you. I am moved to tears and so grateful for the people who continue to shine light into dark places and corners. Which includes you.
Wow. Amazing.
This is such an amazing story, Hilary, and so uplifting . Miriam and I just watched this together and we are both very moved by it. If I am completely honest I am left somewhat uneasy, a little ashamed even, to ponder that the conditions these women find themselves in is the result of action by men. It always is. Thank goodness they have received a helping hand and have been able to lift themselves up. It strikes me again, that your blog is really what blogging should be about. You bring us so much challenging material and I am truly grateful. With love from Canada. David
Another wow post
Hari OM
This barely requires words - just to be shared far and wide! Thank you for bringing it to us - I shall be sharing it further... YAM xx
What a great multicultural project.
@ EC - thanks so much ... recently I've seen a great many #WATWB ideas - but this rose to the front for this month's entry ... Kirstie Macleod's Red Dress Project is quite extraordinary ... and I don't think I'll forget it ...
@ Liz - thank you ... it's a wonderful story.
@ David - I'm so pleased you and Miriam enjoyed watching the video together - I know I'll be back to watching it often. I'm sure Miriam with her sewing skills has appreciated their abilities.
Yes it is sad and awful that when women are struggling the reason is so often that men haven't been supportive and encouraging - and regrettably too often cruel.
You are really very kind - I'm just so happy to read it ... and pleased that I didn't settle on 'a subject' ... so my mind can wander and post whatever I feel like, when it inspires me ... and I know blogging friends enjoy the 'different stories' I post.
@ Jo-Anne - thank you
@ Yam - great idea ... thank you - I just don't do FB, Twitter or else - so any sharing gratefully accepted by me and all women ...
@ Nick - it is inspiring isn't it ... great to see you here ...
Cheers and thanks to you all for visiting - 50% of the world needs to be recognised and respected at all times - some of us are, but many (most) aren't even in this day and age. All the best - while it's wonderful to know women are being offered a way to help themselves. Hilary
This is wonderful in so many ways. And David's comment above truly touched my heart. Thank you, Hilary, for always finding the important stories and creating this amazing blog.
I continue to learn so much through your blog, Hilary.
Thank you for sharing this uplifting story and video.
What an amazing project. The video really brought it to life.
How wonderful Hilary, thank you and so beautiful! I've only watched the short one, 2 mins - will watch the longer one later! A lovely and inspiring post for the #WATWB, women united, stitching together ...
What a wonderful idea, expressing and learning through embroidery, hugs...
This is a wonderful project. Things (people) like this are inspiring.
A most beautiful thing Hilary and a lovely share. I so enjoyed watching the video and the beautiful stories told about what's embroidered in the dress. <3
@ Inger - thanks so much ... I just loved it - and so thought 'everyone' would love to see the videos and understand the enormity of the project - yes, David's comment is very pertinent.
@ Donna - so appreciate your thoughts ... I'm just grateful you and other commenters appreciate the posts ... and this one I particularly liked - especially after David's comments ...
@ Jacqui - yes - the video really does bring all the participating women in their home countries to the fore - highlighting their lives.
@ Susan - great to see you ... you'll so love the longer one - it is just amazing to see all these ladies improving their own lives and those in the community in 28 countries ...
@ Carole - excellent to see you back blogging again - and I so agree with you re the concept of this amazing project ...
@ Dan - thank you ... I'm inspired every time I think about The Red Dress ... so it's great to see you agree with us (women!) ...
@ Debby - the messages within the dress are fascinating to see ... and I must watch again to take note ... excellent to see your comment ..,
Wonderful to see you all here - thanks for your visits - All the best - Hilary
Simply amazing, I'm almost lost for words. Thank you for sharing this with us Hilary.
What a beautiful project and idea.
Thanks for sharing, Hils. Hope your day is serene.
Hi Hilary,
This is such an inspiring thing to do. Lovely of you to highlight them.
Such a beautiful and meaningful post! Thanks so much for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB! Hope you have a wonderful week! Stay safe and be well!
@ Keith - excellent to see your comment ... it's just brilliant - I love it ...
@ Sandra - it is quite beautiful isn't it ... and such an incredible project ...
@ Nas - thanks - just felt it was a completely different, but such a worthwhile, post for #WATWB ...
@ Belinda - great ... and the #WATWB is such a worthwhile blogfest to be involved with ... we need to enlighten as many lives as possible ...
Thanks for your visits and comments - always lovely to see you - cheers Hilary
Thank you Hilary for this. What a beautiful and loving project and a stunning dress. take care.
Absolutely beautiful and such an inspiring project! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
I am late to watch and comment, but that is a wow! Thank you for posting this.
@ Susan - great to see you ... and thanks so much - I just loved this project - it amazed me ...
@ Elizabeth - I thought you and others would love the idea of this ... so am delighted you enjoyed me sharing it with you ...
@ Joanne - not late - it was Thanksgiving weekend ... but I so agree, I had to post immediately I found it ... and it is a 'wow' ...
Cheers to you three - all the best - Hilary
I watched the video and sent the link to my daughter. Very moving.
Thanks for sharing.
Oh my, what an exquisite gown! Such a noble cause and undertaking by so many - and an impressive feat, for sure. Thank you for highlighting this, Hilary.
Hope this finds you doing well. Missed seeing you so wanted to stop by to say hello. :) May your holiday season be rich with abundant blessings!
So beautiful, and what a wonderful cause! Amazing work!
Wishing you a lovely holiday season!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. What an inspiring project this was to read about. I remember the quilt that came together with contributions from around the world, but this is even more dramatic.
I loved and appreciated the video.
A most fascinating project, Hilary! The dress is stunningly beautiful, created with such pride. There was such a humbled reverence in the countenance of the Chiapas women I was nearly moved to tears. I can’t thank you enough for sharing this – I’ll never forget it.
Happy December 1:)
What a unique and beautiful endeavour to help disadvantaged women all over the world! Thank you for sharing this, Hilary. I had not heard of it until now.
Oh my gosh, what a wonderful project and such a beautiful creation too!
That's an amazing dress, and what an inspiring project!
This is a delightful story. Such a gorgeous dress, even more so for the stories it tells. What a neat idea.
@ Sandra - thanks for your comments and I'm so pleased you watched the video and then sent it on to your daughter ...it's an amazing project.
@ Karen - it is exquisite isn't it - excellent descriptive word. I was so taken with the project ... and just thought how inspiring and how far the ideas would reach.
All well here - thank you and I know one does lose touch with other bloggers, when they stop blogging. I went over .. but saw you hadn't started up again ... equally I understand your need to 'fall away' from the blogging scenario.
@ Yolanda - thank you ... it is an extraordinary project and I was so pleased to learn about it ...
@ Lee - so glad you reacted like this ... that was exactly my type of thinking on finding it. Delighted you enjoyed the video so much ...
@ Diedre - isn't the dress absolutely stunning and such a wonderful idea ... creatively inspiring. I have to agree - I had tears in my eyes as I watched the video - and saw the impact on many communities.
Your sentence 'There was humbled reverence in the countenance of the Chiapas women.' excellent ... my eyes watered too ...
@ Debbie - delighted you enjoyed it ... I will always remember it ... and yes a project helping disadvantaged women all over the world.
@ Lynda - so pleased you enjoyed seeing the dress and it will be wonderful that the dress will be entered into a museum for posterity.
@ Sherry - thanks, I so agree ... just beautiful
Great to see you all - thanks for being here and appreciating this project ... while realising the opportunities it provides for these disadvantaged women, which can help them in their futures. Take care and all the best - Hilary
@ Shannon - sorry you popped in while I was replying to previous comments.
I so agree - 'what a neat idea - for the stories it tells about their cultures, despite their disadvantaged situations' - thanks for commenting ... all the best - Hilary
Hi Hilary!
I am speechless... Such an amazing and inspiring video. These women DESERVE to be recognized for their incredible gifts and determination to rebuild their lives. This dress reminds me a lot of the AIDS quilt from years ago and how it traveled through the world to inform everyone of AIDS... this dress will inform the world of the hardships of these amazing women and how they overcame them to improve their lives and the lives of others! An INSPIRATION to us all... and HOPE.
Thank you for writing about the Red Dress Project. It is a wonderful story. Happy IWSG day!
@ Michael - so good to see you - I know ... immediately I found it - I thought I had to write a post about this incredible creation.
Interesting to read about the AIDS quilt ... and how it had travelled in a similar way to show the world about disadvantaged women ...
This dress as it travels the world will highlight their plight, and how they have been able to help themselves ... through their embroidery and sewing.
I love your comment - thanks so much ...
@ Kalpana - I'm so pleased you enjoyed the story ...
Cheers to you both - Hilary
What a great idea! I'm glad there are so many people keeping these arts alive. I just read about a Dutch fabric artist (Claudy Jongstra: https://www.holland-herald.com/archive/#1) and I love Kate Davies the knitting designer!
Hi Deniz - yes creative artists keeping our 'thread' skills alive - which have been going for centuries; I just loved the way this dress collaborated and helped so many disadvantaged embroideries live more easily.
I'm going to look at Claudy Jongstra - thanks for the tip; I love knits - it's jus I can't abide wool next to my skin, which 'crawls' at the thought ... in fact irritatingly many cloths have the same effect. Wish I could enjoy them more, but I'm happy if I only admire and have no desire for them.
Great to see you here - cheers Hilary
That is an amazing project! It’s beautiful and what it represents is fantastic!
Hi Dan - thanks ... and appreciate the comment - it is, I agree, amazing as a project and what it represents ...
but I've no idea why this has only just popped up - but I'm glad it did ...
Cheers Hilary
Wonderful share Hilary. An amazing project that I'd read about some time ago. The video was equally beautiful. Thank you for sharing the good stuff. <3
Hi Debby - thanks so much ... I've no idea why this post has 'suddenly' hit friend's inboxes ...
But I'm delighted to read more comments on this amazing project - which is so beautiful, and then provides seamstresses and craftspeople an opportunity to start small businesses and thus raise funds for their families and communities.
Great to see you - cheers Hilary
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