S4E01: This Record-Breaking Red Dress Took 14 Years to Make | Kirstie Macleod

For 14 years, artist Kirstie Macleod brought together 380+ artisans from 51 countries to create The Red Dress—a breathtaking hand-embroidered gown that tells stories of heritage, resilience, and empowerment. Made from 87 panels of burgundy silk dupion, this extraordinary piece has now earned a place in Guinness World Records 2025 as the largest collaborative embroidery project ever.

In this Season 4 premiere of The IKKIVI Podcast, we uncover the origins of The Red Dress Project and the deep connections Kirstie built with artisans worldwide—from Lambani craftswomen in South India to remote village embroiderers. She shares how the project evolved over the years, its survival through challenges like the pandemic, and the deeply personal narratives stitched into every thread.

Tune in to hear Kirstie’s journey before The Red Dress, her process of managing a global creative movement, and her vision for its future. This episode dives into creativity, perseverance, ethical fashion, slow craft, and the power of embroidery in storytelling and social change.

Watch the documentary by Black Bark Films: https://vimeo.com/646523063 

Follow Kirstie’s work here: https://reddressembroidery.com/ 

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