Rich tradition of hand embroidery focus of April 13 talk at UA

Alastair Macleod, chairman of Hand and Lock, the world-renowned design and hand embroidery company established in London in 1767, will speak about “A Taste of the Rich Tradition of Embroidery” at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, at The University of Akron.

The talk is free and open to the public in Student Union 314, 303 Carroll St.

Macleod will discuss the origins of embroidery, how lace and cords are made, contemporary embroidery, and the history of his company and its prestigious embroidery prize.

Specialists in gold and silver hand embroidery, Hand and Lock has created garments for the royal court, diplomats and the military throughout its history. The company is also frequently consulted by film and theatre productions looking for historic accuracy. In recent years, Hand and Lock has worked on the film “The Last King of Scotland” and the Broadway musical “Wicked,” among others.

Macleod’s visit to Akron as part of a United States tour sponsored by The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Powerhouse Museum, The Embroiderers Guild of the United Kingdom, Embroidery magazine and The Royal School of Needlework.

Justin Campbell, a graduate student in the UA School of Family and Consumer Sciences, will intern this summer at The Royal School of Needlework in southwest London at Hampton Court Palace.

For more information about the talk, contact UA Professor Teena Jennings at 330-972-8313 or tj9@uakron.edu.

Media contact: Cyndee Snider, 330-972-5196 or cyndee@uakron.edu.