In celebration of International Women’s Day this year and Bradford’s tenure as City of Culture 2025, we have chosen to highlight one of Bradford’s own remarkable women this year: Louisa Pesel.
As well as being an amazing Bradfordian woman, we are also proud of the fact that there is a unique example of her work in the Cathedral’s textile collection- the World War One or “Khaki” altar frontal.
Louisa Pesel was born in Bradford in 1870, the eldest of five daughters of a merchant who later became a stockbroker. She was educated at Bradford Girls’ Grammar School and went on to study Design at what is now the Royal College of Art in London. Louisa studied Design under Lewis Foreman Day, a decorative artist, industrial designer and a significant figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement.
During the First World War Louisa worked with Belgian refugees in Bradford and she was also a founding member of the Bradford Khaki Club for injured and shell-shocked soldiers, pioneering the teaching of embroidery as occupational therapy. This altar frontal, also known as the “Khaki Altar Cloth”, is an example of the type of work that Louisa Pesel was engaged in with the soldiers as part of their rehabilitation. The soldiers worked to her design in cross stitch on linen and under her supervision. The beautiful floral design is inspired by her time spent in Greece and the surrounding area and her study of Greek Island patterns, themselves inspired by the colours and flowers of the natural landscape.
The altar frontal was originally made for the chapel at the Abram Peel Hospital in Bradford, before being given to Bradford Cathedral. It is now part of Bradford Cathedral’s textile collection and can be viewed by appointment.
Louisa Pesel’s life was unconventional for a woman of that time. She travelled widely and taught at the Royal Hellenic School of Needlework and Lace in Athens from 1903 to 1907. She became interested in archaeology whilst in Greece and subsequently visited Egypt, Turkey and India. On her travels she collected fabrics and embroidery, later writing books about the techniques she had learned and the history and symbolism of the embroideries she had come across.
After returning to England in 1908 she became a member of the Guild of Embroiderers and from 1910 she was commissioned to produce pieces and to give lectures by the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Louisa Pesel has recently come to prominence again, this time in the literary world, where she appears as a character in the novel by Tracy Chevalier, called “A Single Thread”.
Textiles Tours
On Saturday 10th May we are holding two textiles tours, which will give you the chance to see Louisa Pesel’s altar frontal in person. You can book your tickets today on our Eventbrite page.
Fairtrade
In 2025, the Fairtrade Foundation are celebrating the incredible women who play a vital role in the Fairtrade system. From inspiring campaigners to resilient producers, they will shine a spotlight on their contributions and achievements. International Women’s Day will be a key moment for them to amplify their voices, celebrate their impact, and continue to push for gender equality within global trade systems. You can find out more on their website.
Videos
Here are some archive videos for International Women’s Day that you may like to watch