Dr Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, Leiden University

For centuries Iran has been producing intriguing textiles and beautiful garments, discount especially for women, healing which reflect the complexity of its cultural history and the many groups that live in this vast and diverse country. Naturally, these forms have changed over time, but ever so often there is an echo of a past style! The talk will look at some of the echos and how urban and regional dress have responded to each other over time.

Dr. Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, Director of the Textile Research Centre, Leiden, is a specialist in Middle Eastern and Iranian dress. She has travelled to many parts of Iran over the last 15 years collecting examples of urban and regional dress, talking with men and women involved in their making, as well as those wearing the garments.