STITCHING STORIES |
THE RED DRESS & SAMBHALI SUTRA with Defashion Dorset
Hawkers Farm, 29th Nov - 5th Dec 2024
Bringing together voices from around the world through stitch; The Red Dress (2009-2023) and Sambhali Sutra (Rajasthan, India 2019)
The Red Dress is A 14-year, award winning global, collaborative embroidery project 2009 to 2023. Conceived by British artist Kirstie Macleod, the garment provides an artistic platform for individuals around the world (predominantly women) many of whom are vulnerable and live in poverty, to tell their personal stories through embroidery: www.reddressembroidery.com/press
As part of the Red Dress’s ongoing world tour, the garment will be on display with panels from Sambhali in The Barn at Hawkers Farm, Dorset, November 29th – December 5th 2024.
From 2009 to 2023, pieces of the Red Dress travelled the globe being continuously embroidered onto. Constructed out of 87 pieces of burgundy silk dupion, the garment has been worked on by 367 women/girls, 11 men/boys and 2 non-binary artists from 51 countries. All 141 commissioned embroiderers were paid for their work, and receive a portion of all ongoing exhibition fees, merchandise, and the opportunity to sell their work through The Red Dress Etsy shop. The rest of the embroidery was added by willing audiences at various exhibitions & events.
The Red Dress has been exhibited in various galleries and museums worldwide, including Gallery Maeght in Paris, Art Dubai, Museo Des Arte Popular in Mexico City, the National Library of Kosovo, National Waterfront Museum in Wales, Fashion and Textile Museum, London, an event at the Royal Academy in London, Frick and Fuller Cra_ Museums in the USA and the Premio Valcellina Textiles award in Maniago, Italy where it won first prize in 2015.
The exhibition will also see the display of a series of large, brightly coloured stitched panels created by vulnerable women supported by the Sambhali Trust in Rajasthan, India. The women each produced a work telling their story and what it is to be a woman in India.
The empowerment of disadvantaged women and children in Rajasthan through the Sambhali Trust has been Govind Rathore’s driving force for over 17 years, with a mission to break the cycle of poverty and dependence by providing underprivileged communities with safe space and vocational training. More than 57,000 women and children have been reached.
The historic setting of Hawkers Farm has breathtaking views across the Blackmore Vale. The creative vision of
Jennifer Morisetti, who converted an old milking parlour into a sustainable sewing hub which is now home to
Hawkers Re-Creatives. Here you will find; Wear Me Out - special occasion outfits and hats to borrow, Second to None - a collection of natural fibre second hand clothes for sale and mending and redesigning workshops. Jennifer is also the Founder of Defashion Dorset, which brings local fibre producers together with makers to encourage a local
clothing culture.
Opening Times: Fri 29th Nov - Sun 1st Dec 11am - 4pm
Mon 2nd Dec - Thu 5th Dec 10am - 4pm
Free Entry, donations welcome.
Children's Workshop
Sat 30th Nov 10am -12pm
10-16yrs £10
Be inspired by the Red Dress.
Learn simple embroidery stitches to enhance an item of clothing or bring something to upcycle.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK 2024
Defashion Dorset is delighted to be part of Sustainable Fashion Week Hub: Dorset with Bridport Fashion Revolution and Sustainable Dorset
Friday 20th - Sunday 29th September
We are united in our mission to foster slow fashion, support a local clothing culture and raise awareness about the environmental impacts of the fashion industry.
This year's theme for Sustainable Fashion Week is THE POWER OF REPAIR. By uniting the community in creative action, we aim to transform the fashion system from the bottom up. Local actions can drive global change. Joining forces with other hubs across the UK and beyond, Sustainable Fashion Week will be a hive of activity nationwide.
WHATS ON
Upcycling Workshop
Sat 21 Sep, 10am - 12pm
Repair Cafe, Marnhull Village Hall, DT10 1PP
Drop-in for garment upcycling or repairs. Bring along a favourite dress that needs a revamp or a knitted item that needs repairing. Materials provided. Donations welcome.
Printing Workshop with Stomp
Sun 22 Sep, 11am - 2pm
Walford Mill, Wimborne, BH21 1NL
Get creative with waste materials for printing blocks and be inspired by the beautiful surroundings of the Mill to revamp a tired garment. Hosted by Hannah Cummings recent graduate of the London College of Fashion. Tickets here, £45,
Film, River Blue & Clothes Swap
Sun 22 Sep, 6:30pm
Shaftesbury Arts Centre, SP7 8AR
Screening of River Blue which chronicles an unprecedented around-the-world river adventure, led by renowned paddler and conservationist, Mark Angelo. Can Fashion Save the Planet? Swap up to five garments in good clean condition. Tickets £10 from box office
Stitch and Spin Workshop
Tue 24 Sep, 6 - 8pm
Guggleton Farm Arts, Stalbridge, DT10 2RQ
Embrace fibre reuse, repair, and crafting with Laura Tyley, This Living Place. Are you a knitter, crocheter, seamstress, flax grower or spinner or keen to learn? All welcome, free to attend.
Clothes Swap & Talk - Upcycling Buttons into Jewellery
Wed 25 Sep, 7pm
Hawkers Re-Creatives, Hawkers Farm, Stour Provost, SP8 5LZ
A talk on repurposing old buttons into jewellery with Catherine Potter and the opportunity to make a bracelet followed by a clothes swap. Refreshments included. Bring your buttons and up to five garments in good clean condition. Tickets £10, reserve at: defashion.dorset@gmail.com
Clothing Repair and Mending Workshop
Thu 26 Sep, 10am - 12:30pm
Hawkers Re-Creatives, Hawkers Farm, Stour Provost, SP8 5LZ
Learn skills to repair and mend garments - embroidery, visible mending and applique. This weekly session is free to attend, book a place at: defashion.dorset@gmail.com.
Film, Fashion Reimagined and Clothes Swap
Thu 26th Sep, 6.30pm
The Sherborne, DT9 3JG
Screening of Fashion Reimagined (in the superb setting of the recently restored Sherborne House) - trailblazing fashion designer Amy Powney is on a mission to create a sustainable collection from field to finished garment and transform the way we engage with fashion. After the screening there will be an opportunity to refresh your wardrobe by swapping up to five garments in good clean condition. Tickets here.
Film, The Red Dress and Clothes Swap
Fri 27th Sep, 6.30pm
The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FH
Screening of The Red Dress which was conceived by Somerset textile artist Kirstie Macleod, who began the Red Dress in 2009. Over the next 14 years pieces of the dress travelled across the globe, and were embroidered by artists from 50 countries. In the process The Red Dress has become an astonishing medium of expression for women across the world, many who are living in war-torn countries. It is their feelings, stories and dreams that have been embroidered into the material. The Red Dress will be followed by two short films and then a stylish clothes swap. Please bring up to five garments in good clean condition. Tickets £10, here.