Embroidering the British Army

Discover the artistry of bespoke hand embroidery during London Craft Week, with an exclusive event and live demonstration led by experts from Hand & Lock, Britain’s oldest embroidery house.

For centuries, the uniforms, standards and ceremonial items used by British Army soldiers have been beautifully embroidered with goldwork. This event offers a rare opportunity to delve into Britain’s rich embroidery heritage, showcasing its enduring influence on royal, military and contemporary design.

This exciting immersive experience will offer a glimpse behind the scenes of Hand & Lock’s celebrated craftsmanship, offering a fascinating exploration of centuries-old techniques that remain vital in creating exquisite ceremonial and military pieces today.

You’ll learn about the studio’s storied history, from its collaborations with the British Royal Family and the British military to its partnerships with renowned fashion brands like Burberry, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton.

You will also get to hear from expert curators as they highlight the National Army Museum’s role in preserving and showcasing its world-class collections.

Programme

In this special evening event, Museum curators will begin proceedings by highlighting the history and traditions behind the uniforms worn by the British Army, while discussing the work that goes into preserving them for posterity. Attendees will also get the opportunity to view a selection of uniforms and ceremonial objects that are not normally on display and chat to curators about their history and significance.

Experts from Hand & Lock will be highlighting a range of iconic works, such as the intricate embroidery featured on garments worn by Queen Camilla and Penny Mordaunt during the Coronation of King Charles III. You will also gain hands-on insights into their process as they share exclusive samples and explain the artistry involved in creating these ceremonial masterpieces.

The event also includes a live demonstration of traditional embroidery techniques on a slate frame, allowing you to witness the precision, skill and dedication that go into crafting these timeless designs. 

About Hand & Lock

Hand & Lock are London’s premier embroidery house providing embellishment services to the Royal Family, top European design houses, the military, Savile Row and members of the public. Founded in 1767, they have over 250 years’ experience embellishing, embroidering and monogramming.