Costumes of Authority: Nubian royal outfits showcased in Warsaw

From fresco to fabric: reconstructing medieval costumes

It all began with wall paintings discovered in the ruins of a cathedral in Faras, a once-thriving medieval city in the ancient kingdom of Nubia, in what is now northern Sudan. In the 1960s, Polish archaeologists uncovered unique frescoes depicting members of royalty and clergy, which once adorned the cathedral's interior. Today, some of these works are housed in the National Museum in Warsaw and have inspired "Costumes of Authority. The Image of Royalty and Clergy in Christian Nubia"—an experimental project that brings together archaeological research and fashion design.

An interdisciplinary team—archaeologists from the University of Warsaw and designers from the School of Form—reconstructed five full costumes: outfits worn by kings, royal mothers, and a bishop. Each piece was hand-sewn from naturally dyed fabrics and finished with traditional decorative techniques.

Read more about the reconstruction process

The costumes were first unveiled to the public last fall at the Louvre in Paris. They were then featured at the Bode Museum in Berlin as part of the exhibition „Dress to Impress. Reconstructions of Medieval Robes from Nubia

Medieval fashion at the Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw

On June 26, the reconstructed costumes will be showcased at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, during an event held as part of the Lates 18+ program. As in Paris and Berlin, the robes will once again be presented by models from Sudan.

The evening will also feature additional events, including a talk by Dr. Agnieszka Jacobson-Cielecka and costume designer Dorota Roqueplo, as well as a natural textile dyeing workshop led by Katarzyna Schmidt-Przewoźna, Ph.D. / Associate Professor

Practical information

Where: Copernicus Science Center, Warsaw

When: June 26, 2025, 19:00–22:00