The WOVEN festival, a biennial celebration of textile heritage and innovation, will take place from June 1 to June 30, 2025, in Kirklees, UK. With a growing international presence, this year’s festival is set to highlight not only the rich textile history of the region but also the significant contributions from Egypt and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Theme for 2025: Connecting Culture
The theme of WOVEN 2025, Connecting Culture, seeks to unite communities through the shared language of textiles. The festival will celebrate the local textile heritage of Kirklees, while also exploring cutting-edge developments in the textile industry globally. In particular, the spotlight will shine on Egyptian textile traditions, innovations, and their connections with the global textile community.
A Global Collaboration: The Red Dress
A standout feature of the festival will be the installation of The Red Dress, a global embroidery project initiated by British artist Kirstie Macleod in 2009. The project, which now features the work of over 300 embroiderers from 51 countries, has traveled worldwide and is set to be displayed at Oakwell Hall during WOVEN 2025.
Notably, Egyptian artisans are among the contributors to The Red Dress project, showcasing their unique embroidery techniques and cultural symbols. The dress aims to connect marginalized voices from around the world, with contributions from communities in Egypt, including supported Bedouin women from the Sinai desert, highlighting the role of Egypt in the international textile community.
Theme for 2025: Connecting Culture
The theme for WOVEN 2025 is Connecting Culture, aiming to unite communities through the shared language of textiles. This year’s festival will again showcase the region’s deep textile heritage while embracing the latest advancements in the industry, fostering creativity and collaboration across different cultural backgrounds.
Featured Highlight: The Red Dress
One of the key highlights of the festival will be the installation of The Red Dress, a collaborative embroidery project initiated by British artist Kirstie Macleod in 2009. The project has traveled the world, featuring the work of over 300 embroiderers from 51 countries. The Red Dress will be displayed at Oakwell Hall as part of the festival.
The project seeks to break down barriers, focusing on themes of social justice, equality, women’s rights, and empowerment. It includes contributions from survivors of war in DR Congo, Rwanda, and Kosovo, students from the Royal School of Needlework, refugees from Ukraine, Syria, and Iran, as well as artists from around the world, including rural Wales, Tokyo, India, and Egypt. Macleod describes the dress as a symbol of unity, showcasing a variety of embroidery skills and traditions that represent the voices of people worldwide.
