Hand & Lock’s rich history dates back to 1767 when M. Hand, a young Huguenot refugee from France, arrived in London and began selling lace to military tailors. As his reputation grew, M. Hand expanded his business to include the design and manufacture of military badges and uniform accoutrements. His expertise in embellishing officers' dress uniforms, which required precision and craftsmanship, quickly made M. Hand & Co. a trusted name among Savile Row and military tailors—a relationship that endures over 250 years later.
In the 1950s, Stanley Lock, a gifted embroidery designer, joined CE Phipps & Co., a specialist embroidery house. When the owner retired in 1956, Lock acquired the business and rebranded it as S. Lock Ltd. The company soon became a key collaborator for haute couture designers like Christian Dior, Norman Hartnell, and Hardy Amies, working on garments for the Queen, Queen Mother, and later, Princess Diana. In recognition of its exceptional craftsmanship, the company was awarded the Royal Warrant in 1972.
Today, Hand & Lock continues to serve a diverse clientele, including international fashion houses, emerging designers, interior decorators, the Royal Family, and costume designers for theatre, film, and television. Despite its evolution, the company prides itself on preserving the traditional embroidery techniques that have remained largely unchanged since 1767.
Hand & Lock is not just a hub of expert craftsmanship but also a global ambassador for the fine art of embroidery. Through workshops and educational programs worldwide, the team remains committed to promoting quality British craftsmanship and passing down the timeless skills of embroidery to future generations.
Through the Years
"Hand & Lock pride themselves on the fact that the design methods and embroidery techniques have changed very little since 1767."
