CONFERENCE
International Online Conference
Historical Clothing and Textiles in Europe
February 26–27, 2026, ZOOM
We warmly invite proposals for presentations for the 2026 conference Historical Clothing and Textiles in Europe. This virtual conference is organized in conjunction with the 84th Annual International Conference of the University of Latvia as part of a series of regular international conferences on the textile histories of Europe.
Overview: Textiles and clothing are central to human history, reflecting developments in the economy, technology, trade, identity, belief systems, and the environment. From garments and footwear to accessories, these materials offer a rich lens through which to explore Europe’s cultural and historical landscape across time. This conference invites scholars from a range of disciplines and career stages to explore the production, use, and meaning of clothing and textiles throughout European history, encouraging dialogue that highlights their enduring role in shaping society.
Topics may include, but are not limited to material culture, production and trade, textile technologies, symbolism and identity, clothing in visual or textual sources, reconstruction and re-enactment, and interdisciplinary approaches.
Submission Guidelines
Your proposal should include:
• Your full name
• Title/degree
• Institutional affiliation
• ORCID iD
• E-mail address
• Title of your presentation
• An abstract in English (maximum 250–300 words), suitable for publication in the collection of abstracts
• Reference to the financing of your research (if applicable)
Please send your proposal via e-mail by November 10, 2025, to both:
• Maria Elena Bertoli – m.bertoli.1@research.gla.ac.uk
• Meghan Anne Korten – mak77@hi.is
Applicants will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of their application and will be notified of the outcome by November 20, 2025.
Please note that all presentations must take place in English, but presenters are also welcome to include text in their native language on their presentation slides. Presentations are expected to last 20 minutes, followed by 5 minutes for questions. Abstracts will be published in a digital collection online, which will be made accessible to promote continued scholarly engagement and to serve as a resource for future research. The conference will be recorded and posted on YouTube.
Listener-only registration is also available until February 25, 2026. Please send your request to both:
• Mairéad Finnegan – mairead.finnegan.2013@mumail.ie
• Una Valtere – una.valtere@gmail.com
Should you have any questions about this process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The conference is organized by:
• Ieva Pigozne – University of Latvia
• Anete Karlsone – University of Latvia
• Riina Rammo – University of Tartu
• Meghan Anne Korten – University of Iceland
• Maria Elena Bertoli – University of Glasgow
• Mairéad Finnegan – Maynooth University
• Una Valtere – Art Academy of Latvia
