Honouring Sir Chris Bonington’s Legacy: A Unique Hand Embroidered Tribute with Berghaus.
This year marks an extraordinary milestone in the life of Sir Chris Bonington, one of the world’s most iconic adventurers and mountaineers. To commemorate his 90th birthday, Hand & Lock has partnered with Berghaus to create a truly unique tribute that celebrates Sir Chris’s incredible career. The project centers around a specially designed Trango jacket, a one-of-a-kind garment adorned with hand-embroidered badges that represent the significant moments and achievements of his legendary expeditions.
A Story Told Through Stitches
The Trango jacket features a series of meticulously crafted embroidered badges, each one highlighting a key moment in Sir Chris Bonington’s adventurous life. From first ascents to iconic expeditions, these badges celebrate everything from his numerous summits to his contributions to the world of mountaineering and adventure. Each badge has been designed with incredible attention to detail, reflecting the essence of each moment it represents.
Some of the milestones depicted include:
- Ash Tree Gully (1951): Sir Chris's first taste of mountaineering in the Lake District.
- Annapurna II (1960): A major ascent in the Himalayas, marking the beginning of his international expeditions.
- The North Face of the Eiger: One of the most dangerous and legendary climbs in the Alps.
- The Ogre and the Central Tower of Paine: Iconic summits that solidified his place as a master of high-altitude climbs.
- Summiting Everest at 50: A remarkable achievement that proves age is no barrier for true adventurers.
- Expeditions to Tibet: Countless journeys through one of the world’s most challenging terrains.
- The Old Man of Hoy: A triumph of strength and endurance in one of Britain’s most difficult climbs.
But the Trango tribute doesn’t stop there. Even the tools of the trade that Sir Chris relied on throughout his career are immortalized in embroidered form, for example his favourite equipment, trusted camera of choice, and more. Each detail woven into this bespoke jacket captures his spirit of adventure, resilience, and the determination that has defined his legendary journey.
A Tribute to Craftsmanship and Legacy
At Hand & Lock, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional quality and craftsmanship, and this project with Berghaus is no exception. The hand-embroidered badges are created using time honoured techniques passed down through generations of artisans. Each stitch, thread, and design element is crafted with precision, ensuring that the tribute to Sir Chris Bonington’s remarkable career is as enduring and timeless as his legacy.
This collaboration between Hand & Lock and Berghaus is more than just a celebration of Sir Chris’s 90 years, it is a nod to the spirit of exploration, craftsmanship, and the indomitable will to push beyond limits. It’s a fitting tribute to a man who has climbed the highest peaks and charted the most treacherous landscapes, and it’s a piece of history that will forever celebrate his achievements.
As Sir Chris Bonington turns 90, we couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate his life’s work than with a bespoke Trango jacket, a symbol of the adventurous spirit, precision craftsmanship, and undeniable impact he’s had on the world of mountaineering and beyond.
