Press Release 10.08.10

The 1st Prize in Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery 2010 goes to USA's Beata Kania.

With more than 400 international entrants from 19 different countries, with a jury composed of embroidery world's elite, this was no small accomplishment. 

The Prize, originally created to promote the use of hand embroidered surface embellishment within fashion, costume and soft furnishing, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. This year's entrants were challenged with a new theme of Militaria, giving them the opportunity to play with construction and complexities of all military apparel. 

Beata Kania, the winner of the decade, interpreted the Militaria subject by drawing from the 16th century's Winged Hussars, who with oversized wings worn on their backs conjured images of angels descending on the battlefield. Hussaria's armor created eerie, whistling sound, disorienting the enemy and frightening their horses. "They ran through the smoke and the sound was like that of a thousand blacksmiths beating with a thousand hammers."

The riveting, winning entry is a stunning silver dress with metallic embroidery that rustles, swirls, shields and leads your eye to the center lens which symbolizes the passage between life and death. "I juxtaposed the heavy metallic vinyl of the dress with the exposed back and delicate mesh sleeves, partially covered with scale-maille-like beading. Similar in shape to a cockade – a rondel, circular metal plate designed to protect vulnerable areas of the body not covered by armor, inspired various details of the garment. " says Ms Kania.

The 1st Prize will be awarded in London, November, 2010.