Stephie Ann: Essay Research The hand and Lock Prize for Embroidery

By looking in the old Embroidery magazines, I came across an article from 2009 about the Hand and Lock Prize for embroidery.

This showcases the absolute best of embroidery from all over the world. There are two major categories, one for students and another ‘open’ category.

Its back by a London based embroidery company and it promotes the use of hand embroidered surface embellishment in fashion, costume and soft furnishings. The competition is judged on originality, design development, technique, commercial viability and use of materials.

Winners and Runners un featured in Embroidery magazine 2009

The prize winning featured in the magazine is Lucie Bourreau. She created the most beautiful piece of embroidery for fashion. Modelled on a dress design the embroidery is created using beadwork, cord and chains. The colours blend together so well over top of the yellow base fabric. The embroidery is built up on top each other to create a solid block which appears to be quite 3D. This way you can see the intense work gone into creating it and the density of the work makes it stand out. The design work has been based on Indian jewellery and henna patterns. I think this is represented in the final design, however in a much more modern and wearable way. I think this piece could easily be translated to any couture brand or even the high street, its not over the top yet absolutely stunning.