What Hand & Lock does

Hand & Lock is a London-based bespoke embroidery atelier founded in 1767 by Huguenot refugee M. Hand, formed in its present identity in 2001 through the merger of M. Hand & Co (1767) and S. Lock Ltd (originating as CE Phipps & Co, 1898). The company operates from a single central London atelier at 86 Margaret Street, combining handcraft and digital machine embroidery capabilities. Its service portfolio spans bespoke hand embroidery, digital/machine embroidery, goldwork, monogramming, military embroidery, ceremonial and ecclesiastical embroidery, flags and banners, restoration and repair, product development, bridal and wedding embroidery, PR and gifting services, and live event activations. Underlying craft techniques include goldwork using metallic threads and bullion wires, tambour beading, silk shading, and hand-guided Cornely embroidery, supplemented by digital machine embroidery and a technology partnership with Coloreel.

The firm serves a diversified customer base including international fashion and luxury houses (Burberry, Ralph Lauren, ERDEM, Casablanca, Dunhill, Asprey, Barbour, Olivia Von Halle, Jessica McCormack, Kent & Curwen, Globe-Trotter), the British Royal Family and military institutions (Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF, Army), film, television and theatrical productions (Gladiator II, Frankenstein 2025, Young Victoria), ecclesiastical and heritage clients (St George's Chapel Windsor), and individual consumers via bridal commissions and direct-to-consumer channels. Retail revenue is generated through a physical shop at the Margaret Street atelier and an e-commerce site (handembroidery.com) selling hand-embroidered jewellery, accessories, embroidery kits ($18–$69), and ready-made military and civilian badges. Recurring education revenue comes from the Hand & Lock School, offering online, in-person, taster and diploma programmes ($29–$394), and the firm runs the annual Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery (25th anniversary in 2025) as a brand-building and talent pipeline asset.

Hand & Lock generates revenue across seven principal streams: bespoke hand embroidery commissions, digital/machine embroidery services, retail product sales, educational courses and the Diploma programme, live events and activations, studio tours, and restoration and repair services. Pricing is predominantly project-based and quote-driven for bespoke commissions, with unit pricing on retail goods, courses, and tours. Distribution combines a single UK retail storefront, global e-commerce shipping, direct enterprise sales for bespoke commissions, and on-site event activation services for brand partners. The company holds a Royal Warrant renewed in 2024 as Embroiderers and Suppliers of Military Accoutrements to King Charles III and reports operations in the United Kingdom, United States, and Japan.

Name

Hand & Lock

Legal name

Hand & Lock

Website

https://handembroidery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1767

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hand & Lock is a 1767-founded London bespoke embroidery atelier serving luxury fashion houses, the British Royal Family, military institutions, film/theatre productions, and consumers via hand and machine embroidery commissions, e-commerce retail, education programmes, and live brand activations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bespoke Embroidery Services

NAICS

Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers (459130), Narrow Fabric Mills and Schiffli Machine Embroidery (31322)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Printing & Decoration Services (Screen Print, Embroidery, Laser) (BPAFAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Needlepoint & Embroidery Shops (CRALADAE), Threads, Yarns & Sewing Notions (Sewing Thread/Embroidery Thread/Bobbins/Needles) (IMAOALAE)

Keywords

• Bespoke hand embroidery
• Goldwork embroidery services
• Military ceremonial embroidery
• Luxury monogramming services
• Textile restoration services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Bespoke Hand Embroidery Services: Custom hand embroidery commissions for fashion houses, individuals, military organizations, and ceremonial clients. Revenue generated through project-based pricing based on complexity, materials, size, and design requirements.
2. Digital/Machine Embroidery Services: Commercial machine embroidery services offering faster turnaround for theatre, film, advertising, and retail personalization projects. Can be combined with hand embroidery for hybrid solutions.
3. Retail Products: Sale of finished products including hand embroidered jewellery, accessories, embroidery kits, haberdashery supplies, military badges, and lifestyle products through e-commerce and physical store.
4. Educational Courses and Diploma: Revenue from online and in-person embroidery courses, taster sessions, guest tutor workshops, and the Hand & Lock School Diploma program. Courses range from taster courses to comprehensive multi-session programs.
5. Events and Activations: Live customisation experiences for retail activations, brand launches, corporate events, and VIP experiences. Partners with luxury and high street brands for on-site embroidery personalisation services.
6. Studio Tours: Revenue from guided studio tours of the Hand & Lock atelier, providing an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience of their embroidery facilities.
7. Restoration and Repair Services: Specialist restoration services for historic textiles, ecclesiastical items, military uniforms, and haute couture pieces requiring sensitive repair and preservation work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Hand & Lock is a London-based bespoke embroidery house providing custom hand and machine embroidery commissions for fashion houses, the British military, the Royal Family, ecclesiastical bodies, film/theatre, brides, and interior decorators using techniques such as goldwork, tambour beading, silk shading, and digital machine embroidery. The company also operates a physical and online retail shop selling hand-embroidered jewellery, accessories, embroidery kits, haberdashery, and ready-made military/civilian badges, and runs the Hand & Lock School of embroidery and The Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery competition.

Product overview

Hand & Lock is a bespoke embroidery services company founded in 1767, operating as a unified offering built around hand-crafted and digitally enabled embroidery. Its core portfolio spans service lines — Bespoke Hand Embroidery, Digital Embroidery (machine embroidery), Goldwork, Monogramming, Military Embroidery, Ceremonial & Ecclesiastical Embroidery, Flags & Banners, Restorations & Repair, Product Development, Events, Bridal & Wedding Embroidery, and PR & Gifting — supported by a physical and online retail shop selling jewellery, accessories, embroidery kits, and military/civilian badges. Adjacent offerings include Hand & Lock School (offering online and in-person courses and a Diploma program) and The Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery competition. The company serves fashion houses, military institutions, the Royal Family, interior decorators, and individual consumers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bespoke Hand Embroidery Custom hand embroidery commissions using tambour beading, goldwork, and silk shading for haute couture garments, theatrical costumes, tailored suits, and bridal wear, designed for fashion houses, designers, and individuals.
• Digital Embroidery Bespoke machine embroidery service using state-of-the-art technology to produce intricate embroidery for luxury fashion garments, wedding decorations, interior pieces, and personalised items with quick turnaround.
• Goldwork Specialised goldwork embroidery service using metallic threads and bullion wires to create luxurious emblems, logos, cyphers, and designs for royal, military, and fashion house commissions.
• Events On-site live embroidery customisation services for retail activations, brand launches, VIP experiences, and corporate functions, including digital machine embroidery, hand monogramming, custom patches, and embossing, delivered in partnership with luxury and high-street brands.
• Monogramming Hand and machine monogramming services for luxury personalisation of fine linens, garments, accessories, and scarves, delivered to brands and individual customers.
• Bridal & Wedding Embroidery Bespoke wedding embroidery including custom gown embroidery, veil finishing, monogrammed wedding favours, napkins, table linens, banners, and jacket embellishments, for brides, wedding planners, and designers.
• Ceremonial and Ecclesiastical Embroidery Ceremonial embroidery service for religious stoles, altar cloths, ecclesiastical banners, diplomatic uniforms, academic regalia, coronation attire, and full military dress uniforms, serving churches, cathedrals, diplomatic services, and institutions.
• Military Embroidery Military embroidery service for British traditions including royal weddings, jubilees and coronations, encompassing military laces, drum sashes, beret badges, aiguillettes, and blazer badges for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF, Army, Emergency Services, and other military branches.
• Flags & Banners Custom-made embroidered flags and banners produced for churches, institutions, government buildings, embassies, and private clients, ranging from single pipe banners to large-scale national flags.
• Restorations and Repair Specialist restoration and repair of historic textiles, haute couture pieces, ecclesiastical banners, altar fronts, and military uniforms using period-appropriate techniques and sympathetic materials, delivered to museums, churches, collectors, and private clients.
• Product Development Bespoke product development service creating embroidered jewellery boxes, embroidery kits, fashion accessories, and other custom embroidered products from concept through to production, for brands and designers.
• PR & Gifting Services Bespoke embroidery for PR and corporate gifting including custom napkins, cushions, robes, and tailored items for brand activations and marketing campaigns, delivered to luxury and high-street brands and their agencies.
• Hand & Lock School Educational program offering online and in-person embroidery courses, taster courses, guest tutor workshops, and the Embroidery Diploma, for aspiring and practising embroiderers seeking to develop technical skills in hand embroidery traditions.
• Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery Annual embroidery competition celebrating emerging and established embroidery talent, with submission categories, judging by industry figures, and catalogue publication.
• Jewellery & Accessories (Retail) Hand-embroidered retail jewellery and accessories including brooches, earrings, necklaces, patches and lifestyle items, sold through the Hand & Lock online store and physical Margaret Street shop.
• Embroidery Kits (Retail) DIY hand-embroidered retail kits including goldwork kits and floral designs in collaboration with artisans such as Bernadette Banner, sold through the Hand & Lock online store and physical shop.
• Military Badges & Accoutrements (Retail) Ready-made retail military badges covering Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF, Army, Emergency Services, International Badges, ranks, military accoutrements, laces, braids and cord, sold through the Hand & Lock online store.
• Civilian Badges (Retail) Ready-made retail civilian badges including Orders of Chivalry, Diplomatic Badges, Club Badges, and Institutions & Associations badges, sold through the Hand & Lock online store.
• Studio Tours Paid guided tours of the Hand & Lock atelier at 86 Margaret Street, London, providing behind-the-scenes access to the studio for individuals and groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4000+ hours of restoration work completed over four years for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra's Garter Banners
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers38 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The White CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live customisation experiences. Hand & Lock provides on-site embroidery personalisation services at The White Company retail locations or events.
• Formula 1minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner providing live embroidery customisation experiences at Formula 1 events and activations.
• BarbourcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing events partner for live customisation experiences. Also collaborated on Erdem x Barbour bespoke embroidered labels. Major brand collaboration spanning multiple activations.
• BelstaffminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live embroidery customisation services.
• Olivia von HallecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner and product collaborator. Created bespoke hand embroidered pyjamas in collaboration with Jessica McCormack. Multiple product collaborations and event activations.
• Soho HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live customisation experiences at Soho House venues.
• AllSaintsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live embroidery customisation activations.
• VuoriminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live embroidery customisation experiences.
• Russell & BromleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live customisation experiences.
• Rag & BoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live embroidery customisation activations.
• TrottersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live customisation experiences.
• Event Republic StudiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvents agency partner for coordinating and delivering embroidery activation experiences.
• WonderlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live customisation experiences.
• Maison EstelleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvents partner for live embroidery customisation experiences.
• Uncommon AncestorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration with founder Kara to create bespoke machine embroidered artworks. Transform humble footstools into storytelling canvases with deeply personal expressions of identity. Multi-year partnership developing custom motifs rooted in personal memory.
• Spinocchia FreundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign collaboration for bespoke machine embroidered interior pieces. Created 'The Curator's Room' installation for WOW!House 2025 with Stark. Developing custom motifs for furniture and interior design applications.
• BerghauscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2024 collaboration to create extra special jacket celebrating Sir Chris Bonington's 90th birthday. Meticulously embroidered series of badges capturing key moments from his life, sewn onto bespoke Berghaus Trango jacket.
• Bernadette BannerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduct collaboration creating Bernadette Banner embroidery kits and bespoke embroidery projects including Joan of Arc Armour Dress.
• Studio CoverdaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration creating hand embroidered jewellery cupcakes and other bespoke products.
• William Morris GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduct partnership creating bespoke embroidered accessories inspired by William Morris designs.
• Rediscovered ByminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration creating embroidered embroidery cases with Rediscovered By.
• John SmedleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Hand & Lock Japan for live embroidery demonstrations in Japan with John Smedley, one of Britain's premium knitwear manufacturers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Brother International: Global manufacturer of sewing, embroidery, and digital embroidery machines used in fashion, signage, and personalisation. Relevant to Hand & Lock's digital/machine embroidery capability and broader embroidery hardware ecosystem.
• Madeira Thread: Germany-based global supplier of embroidery threads, stabilisers, and machinery consumables serving industrial and commercial embroiderers. Adjacent incumbent relevant to Hand & Lock's haberdashery, machine embroidery consumables, and broader embroidery ecosystem.
• Coats Group: UK-listed industrial thread and textile manufacturer serving apparel, footwear, and embroidery industries globally. Broad incumbent relevant to Hand & Lock's embroidery thread supply chain, military braids/laces, and trims business.

Direct peers

• Maison Lesage: Founded 1858 in Paris, Maison Lesage is the leading haute couture embroidery house, now part of Chanel's Paraffection subsidiary. It is the most direct competitor to Hand & Lock globally for luxury fashion embroidery commissions, goldwork, and beading on haute couture garments.
• Atelier Hurel: French couture embroidery atelier also owned by Chanel/Paraffection, specialising in floral embroidery and intricate embellishment for haute couture. Direct comparability with Hand & Lock for luxury fashion house commissions and traditional embroidery techniques.
• Royal School of Needlework: UK-based heritage embroidery education institution (founded 1872) offering hand embroidery courses and a Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery. Direct peer for Hand & Lock's School/Diploma education business and technique-preservation mission.
• Monde Petit (SITAM Group): Paris-based embroidery atelier known for beadwork, sequinning, and embellishments for couture, lingerie, and ready-to-wear. Directly comparable to Hand & Lock's tambour beading and luxury fashion embellishment services.

Emerging players

• DMC (Dollfus-Mieg et Compagnie): French thread and needlework supplier (founded 1746) selling embroidery threads, kits, and haberdashery globally. Comparable for Hand & Lock's haberdashery and embroidery kit retail business and DIY consumer channel.

Regional players

• Zardozi Embroidery Artisans (Lucknow): Indian zardozi (metallic thread) embroidery ateliers serving both Indian couture and international fashion houses, operating primarily in India/UAE. Regional peer for Hand & Lock's goldwork heritage technique and Southeast Asian/Middle Eastern luxury clientele.

Others

• Sulky of America: US-based supplier of embroidery threads, stabilisers, and kits serving the consumer embroidery and quilting market. Adjacent player relevant to Hand & Lock's haberdashery retail channel and DIY embroidery kit consumer base in North America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/handandlock
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@handandlocklondon1767
• Facebookfacebook.com/handandlock
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hand-&-lock
• Instagraminstagram.com/handandlocklondon
• Pinterestpinterest.com/handlock

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hand & Lock