PROGRAMME OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Live talks take place at the University Women's Club in Mayfair. We stream some talks, usually from overseas speakers, via Zoom. Whenever possible, talks are recorded and made available to members via the Members' Area of the website.

We also organise trips and tours for members and their guests. These are advertised in the monthly members' newsletters.

Our next event

Wednesday, 10th December 2025

AGM, Show and Tell and Christmas Party

at the University Women’s Club. 18.00 for 18.30.

Above: Former ORTS Chair Louise Teague introduces members to a delightful textile at the Show and Tell at the University Women's Club in December 2024.

Always a highlight of the year, members are invited to gather in a festive mood for the AGM followed by the Show and Tell, with favourite or intriguing items from their collections.

Members and their guests welcome. Please contact Dimity Spiller for information.

More dates for your diary

Wednesday, 14th January 2026

Dr Alka Raman will be speaking to the Society on 'Indian cottons and European calico making and printing.'

University Women's Club. 1800 for 18.30

Wednesday, 11th February 2026

Sarah Mahaffy will talk on 'Textile Adventures in Chanderi, Lucknow and Odisha' at the University Women’s Club. 18.00 to 21.00

Society talks are normally held at the University Women's Club

in South Audley Square just behind the Dorchester Hotel. Talks start at 7pm.

Both Green Park and Hyde Park Corner tube stations are a short walk away. Free street parking

after 6.30pm (Tilney St, Stanhope Gate, Hill St, Waverton St, Curzon St, Chesterfield Gardens)

Guests are welcome to attend for £7 a single lecture. Students £5.

Membership of one year for all events from £30.

EVENTS IN DETAIL

21st October 2020 Navajo: A brief survey of the weavings of the Navajo. A talk by Anthony Hazledine.

21st OCTOBER 2020 at 7pm A talk by Anthony Hazledine >>> This will likely be an online event via Zoom - further details to be announced

ORTS

The Column Motif in Ottoman Court Prayer Rugs and Beyond: a talk by Stefano Ionescu

18th NOVEMBER 2020 at 5pm A talk by Stefano Ionescu >>> This will be an online event via Zoom - further details to be announced

ORTS

The South Kensington Museum's collection of carpets

16th DECEMBER 2020 at 7pm A talk by Jennifer Wearden The V&A and the Science Museum began life as The South Kensington Museum

ORTS

ORTS AGM

24th AUGUST 2020 at 6pm This AGM has been postponed from earlier this year, covering 2018/19. This will be a Zoom event

ORTS

Members' Collections: Geoffrey Saba on his Thai silk ikat ('mudmee') - via Zoom

19th AUGUST 2020 at 6pm A talk by Geoffrey Saba >>> This will be an online event via Zoom - further details to be announced

ORTS

Online ORTS events - Zoom instructions

Zoom is a videoconferencing software program that has become increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic

ORTS

Unravelling the Silk Road: A Textile Journey: a talk by Chris Aslan

14th JULY 2020 at 5pm A talk by Chris Aslan >>> This will be an online event via Zoom - further details to be announced

ORTS

Online: Show & Tell

27th MAY 2020 Members are invited to email in images and details of a textile or rug to Fiona Kerlogue editor.orts@gmail.com by 27th April

ORTS

Carpets from Tarim Basin and Tibet: and possible connections thereof

19th FEBRUARY 2020 at 7pm A talk by Markus Voigt how two neighbouring but very disparate cultures came to have commercial crossover in rugs

ORTS

Bhutanese Textiles: Ritualistic and Everyday textiles of Bhutan

23rd JANUARY 2020 at 7pm A talk by Zara Fleming Textiles woven into everyday life, signifying status, vital component of Bhutanese festivals

ORTS