Published: 2 December 2025
Costumes of Authority: Recreated attire of Faras dignitaries showcased in London
Author: Magdalena Miszewska
The stunning costumes of medieval Nubian elites return to the runway—this time in London. On December 9, the Brunei Gallery at SOAS University of London will present the robes of kings, royal mothers, and a bishop from Faras, painstakingly re-created by an interdisciplinary team of designers from the School of Form at SWPS University and archaeologists from the University of Warsaw.
From frescoes to runway
It all began with wall paintings uncovered in the 1960s during excavations at the ruins of the cathedral in Faras—once a key center of the medieval Kingdom of Makuria. Polish archaeologists discovered a unique collection of frescoes depicting monarchs, clergy, and members of the royal court.
These portraits served as the starting point for "Costumes of Authority: The Image of Royalty and Clergy in Christian Nubia," a project that aims to transform two-dimensional images into three-dimensional garments. The distinctive style of dress blends inspiration from the courtly costume of Byzantium with African motifs and Arabic influences.
For the School of Form team, led by Dr. Agnieszka Jacobson-Cielecka, the project offered a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of design and archaeology. Costume designer Dorothée Roqueplo contributed her invaluable expertise in historical textiles, production methods, and garment construction, while Dr. Katarzyna Schmidt-Przewoźna reconstructed the color palette of medieval Nubian attire.
Their collaboration resulted in the creation of five reconstructed silhouettes: two royal outfits, two garments of royal mothers, and a bishop's robes. Each piece was meticulously crafted from natural materials, hand-dyed and adorned using techniques inspired by traditional craftsmanship.
#keepeyesonsudan
From the beginning, this project has carried an important social dimension. The reconstructed costumes are modeled by members of the Sudanese community, highlighting the region's living cultural legacy and emphasizing the urgent need to protect Nubian heritage—especially now, amid the devastating civil war in Sudan.
Growing international interest
The reconstructed garments were first shown to the public in 2024 at the Louvre in Paris, and then featured in an exhibition at Berlin's Bode Museum in 2025 Polish audiences could admire them at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, where the show was accompanied by lectures and workshops on natural dyeing.
Practical info
"Dress to Impress. Reconstructions of Medieval Robes from Nubia"
Where: SOAS, University of London, Brunei Gallery
When: December 9, 2025, 19:00–21:00