A truly international competition, The Prize receives hundreds of entrants from all over the world. This year the brief “Modern Mystic Arts and the Power of Colour” has inspired over 400 embroidery artists from over 36 countries to enter the Prize! After the first round of judging we now have 25 embroiderers as our finalists. These finalists will now work with a mentor to perfect their submission in time for a final live judging event this November.
Each year The Prize culminates in a final prize-giving that has grown from a small evening event held at the Hand & Lock studio, into a pop up exhibition and awards ceremony, with hundreds of visitors and industry professionals coming to see embroidery by the best emerging designers from around the world.
An esteemed independent judging panel of industry professionals choose from the 25 finalists to reveal the winners at the prize-giving during the final days of the exhibition. Winners and runners up have gone on to start their own businesses, teach the next generation, or work for designers such as Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Mary Katrantzou and Richard Quinn.
Hand & Lock are proud to have played a role in promoting and nurturing the next generation of embroiderers.
The Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery Exhibition will be showcasing the work from over 50 embroidery artists over a stunning 3 day event here in the centre of London, on the doorstep of the Hand and Lock Studios. Combining the Prize entrants from 2022 and 2023, with a unique look at the Hand and Lock’s history and a rare opportunity to see unseen pieces from Hand and Lock.
This exhibition will allow you to get close to see the exquisite craftsmanship created by so many individual embroidery artists.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore two floors of embroidery work from fashion to art. A unique video room showcasing the Hand and Lock history.
Hand and Lock will be running bespoke workshops inspired by the brief “Modern Mystic Arts and the Power of Colour” which will include a entry to the Prize exhibition.
Visitors will also have a rare opportunity to get an in-depth understanding of the Finialists pieces from 2023 and 2022 with a unique tour with fashion historian Robert Ossant. For more details please see below.