Type of Entry
Student Category:
To qualify for the Student Category you must be in full or part time higher education at the time of registration. Registration as a students means you will benefit from subsidised entry fee and can submit work you are creating as part of your course.
Open Category:
If you aren’t in full or part time higher education, you will qualify for the open category. Registering in the open category is for anyone of any age. You can be a skilled practitioner, a passionate enthusiast or even a recent graduate.
Categories
Fashion
Fashion entrants should design a fashion garment inspired by the Prize brief. Entrants are expected to closely examine the brief and produce one complete fashion look that clearly demonstrates their interpretation of the theme, originality of design, garment construction, and embroidery skills. The final piece should showcase how embroidery has been thoughtfully integrated into the design and construction of the garment. Judges will assess originality, execution, quality of embroidery, garment construction, and overall presentation of the fashion piece.
Textile Art
Textile Art entrants should design a textile-based artwork inspired by the Prize brief. Entrants are expected to closely examine the brief and produce one complete object that clearly demonstrates their interpretation of the theme, originality, and embroidery skills. The object may take many forms, including jewellery, an artistic sculpture, an embroidered tapestry, or a piece for home or interior design. Judges will assess originality, embroidery technique, execution, construction, and overall presentation of the final piece.
The Fashion Category
The Fashion category is open to anyone who has incorporated embroidery into a fashion garment. Finalists in this category are required to design a single fashion garment inspired by the Prize brief.
Your submission should consist of a complete outfit. While not every piece of the outfit needs to be embroidered, at least one standout piece should feature embroidery. Please ensure the entire look is cohesive and ready for display—for example, submitting only a top, jacket, trousers, or skirt as standalone pieces will not be eligible.
Only one complete outfit may be submitted; multiple outfits or collections will not be accepted. However, accessories that complement the outfit are permitted as part of the final submission.
What size should I make my garment?
UK Female clothing size 8: Due to the mannequins we use, please do not make your designs smaller than the following measurements:
Bust 81cm / 32″
Waist 66 cm /26″
Hips 86.5 cm / 34″
UK Male Clothing size Medium: Due to the mannequins we use, please do not make your designs smaller than the following measurement:
Chest 96 cm / 38″
Waist 88 cm /35″
The Textile Art Category
The Textile Art category allows finalists to enter any piece of embroidery that falls under the textile art remit. This includes, but is not limited to, jewellery, fashion accessories, interior design, artwork and sculpture. Textile Art finalists should design an art piece or object that takes inspiration from the Prize brief.
Textile Art pieces may be one piece or a small collection, provided it is supported by the design concept (for example, a triptych). Hand & Lock would prefer that the collection consists of 4 or fewer smaller pieces. All types of hand embroidery, hand-guided machine embroidery and digital embroidery will be accepted.
All prize pieces must be free standing or come with supports or wall hanging systems so they can be exhibited. Hand & Lock will be able to hang 2D pieces on the wall and display 3D items on a plinth or the floor, depending on their size.
Again please note, you will be required to enter one completed art work/object. (All types of hand embroidery, hand-guided machine embroidery and digital embroidery will be accepted).
What size should I make my piece?
3D textiles pieces must be no bigger than 1m x 1m.
2D framed pieces and wall hangings must be no bigger than 1.55m high x 2m wide.
Any items that require power must have their own battery pack.
PLEASE NOTE: Associate Award prizes are available to some Prize categories and not others. The organisation offering the Associate Award might have their own specific criteria for judging that means only specific categories qualify. For more information on the Associate Awards and their judging criteria please see the awards page.
Online Submission Guidelines for the First Round of Judging
For the first round entrants should only submit images. These images should convey a combination of your overall vision, your design journey, your research and include fine details. If your submission is incomplete, images of your work in progress and a rendering of your overall scheme can be submitted.
Our judges will use these images to asses your embroidery vision and how you have chosen to interpret the brief. Judges will look for evidence of your inventive and original interpretation, as well as your technical ability and overall design.
For the online submission you will be asked to upload 4 images. These images should meet the following criteria:
All images must be JPEGs, and sent in SQUARE FORMAT
DO NOT INCLUDE TEXT on your images
The 4 images should show;
Image 1 – The concept of your design, research and development e.g the beginning of your story and how your design connects to the brief. (This can be a collage of images but do not include text or images of your Pinterest board.)
Image 2 – Samples, progress and where you will be heading e.g the middle of your story (DO NOT submit multiple images or text)
Image 3 – A close up of your work e.g something important that you feel is important that the judges see and showcase your strengths and techniques (DO NOT submit multiple images or text)
Image 4 – Finished piece/Work in progress e.g the end of your story, if not yet completed, a clear idea of what your final design will look like. (DO NOT submit multiple images or text)
- YOU MUST NAME each image YOUR NAME followed by what image section you are uploading too e.g SamSmithImage2.jpg
– DO NOT include text on your images. Your supporting text goes in the boxes provided. Here you can discuss your concept and relationship to the brief, and techniques/materials used and about your final piece (max 200 words per image).
– Please note that judges will use these images to determine who goes through to the next round and it is vital they understand your overall vision. Please ensure the images are in focus and not too light/dark and have no text this includes descriptions of images, titles, names etc...
– No physical work needs to be submitted at this stage, you are only required to send your work to Hand & Lock if you become a finalist in the Competition.
– Your images should demonstrate that you have followed the specially written brief.
– Your images should not be doctored, edited or filtered, obscuring your overall design vision or your embroidery skill.
Examples of Submission Images
Finalists Submission Guidelines
If you are selected as a Finalist, you will then be required to send your physical work to Hand & Lock. Your physical submission must meet the criteria outlined above, in line with the guidelines for that year.
Submission Categories
Textile Art
If you are submitting to the Textile Art category, your piece must be an embroidered object that is not a fashion garment. This can include (but is not limited to) jewellery, accessories, interior design pieces, wall-hung works, sculpture, or other art objects. All submissions must be ready to hang or display and must meet the size requirements for that year.
Fashion
If you are submitting to the Fashion category, you must submit one complete outfit, designed to be worn by a model or mannequin. The outfit must meet the size requirements for that year.
Transport & Packaging
Finalists are responsible for the transport and shipment of the piece. If your work is especially delicate or prone to damage, please ensure it is supplied with adequate protective packaging and a sturdy container.
Photoshoot Requirements
Finalists may be permitted (subject to approval by the Prize Team) to bring additional props for the photoshoot. This may include items such as an extra hat or accessory to enhance the overall theme of your work. Any props must arrive at the studio at the same time as your final piece. If your piece comes with any extra props for the exhibition please coordinate with the Prize Team.
Finalist Announcements & Marketing Materials
As a finalist, you will be required to submit additional written content and media for use across Hand & Lock Prize marketing and social media channels.
There will be two rounds of official finalist announcements on social media. All submission deadlines will be clearly outlined in the finalist contract once announcements are made confirming those progressing to the final round.
Additional content required includes:
A professional portrait photo
(1080 × 1350 pixels, Instagram portrait format, 300 dpi)
A brief biography (maximum 50 words, written in the third person)
Title of the artwork/project
A short description of the inspiration behind the artwork
(2–3 sentences, written in the third person)
High-resolution images of the artwork, which may include:
mood boards, creative process imagery, work-in-progress shots, final artwork, and detail images
(1080 × 1350 pixels, Instagram portrait format, 300 dpi)
A short video (30–45 seconds maximum) showcasing the stitching journey, inspiration, materials, and techniques used in the creation of your Prize piece.
This video will be shared with the judges ahead of the final judging stage and may also be used on Hand & Lock social channels where appropriate.
Examples are shown throughout the @handandlockprize instagram account
Further information regarding submission deadlines and detailed guidelines will be shared in the finalists contract.
