We are incredibly proud of our three RSN Degree Graduates winners, as well as several other RSN alumni who were finalists in the International Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery 2023.
The Winners:
Lizzie Gray
RSN 2023 Graduate Lizzie Gray took first place in the Student Textile Art Category for her piece ‘Inside Out’.


‘Inside and Out’ is a series of five embroidered neck pieces exploring the human condition through the use of anatomical imagery, putting a microscope on the mind, body, and soul connection.
Follow Lizzie on Instagram here.
Chloe Rogers
RSN 2023 Graduate Chloe Rogers took third place in the Student Fashion Category with her piece ‘Purifying Graffiti’.


Using text as a powerful, unfiltered tool to address social and political issues, ‘Purifying Graffiti’ invites you to take a moment to reflect on your own responsibility towards the climate crisis.
This showstopping full-white look unites craft and sustainability through a contemporary window. Purity achieved through precision.
Follow Chloe on Instagram here
Emily Barnett
RSN 2023 Graduate Emily Barnett was the winner of the Worshipful Company of Broderers Associate Award for her piece ‘The Chawton House Project’.


The Chawton House Project consists of three hand-embroidered wall panels inspired by the grounds of Chawton House, Hampshire. These embroideries were created in response to the colours and beauty discovered on the grounds by Emily.
Follow Emily on Instagram here
Naomi Aindow Clarke
RSN 2020 Degree Graduate Naomi Aindow Clarke was the winner of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Associate Award.


Naomi’s piece ‘Grounded’ embodies her experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Reflecting on her distorted reality, Naomi uses repetitive, slow-process crafts to enter a flow state.
Follow Naomi on Instagram
The Finalists:
Fiza Shahid
RSN 2023 Graduate Fiza Shadid was a finalist in the Student Textile Art Category with her piece ‘Hidden Beauty’.


Hidden beauty is a depiction of Fiza’s understanding of the Muslim religious garment, the Hijab. This work aims to convey meaning through emotions, emphasising the exploration of spirituality and subconscious through the design, hand embroidery techniques and colour.
Follow Fiza on Instagram
Kate Pankhurst
RSN Tutor and former Hand & Lock Prize winner Kate Pankhurst was a finalist in the Open Textile Category for her piece ‘Fancy Free.’
‘Fancy Free’ embodies a symbol ubiquitous throughout religion and spiritual practice. The piece stands for creativity, fertility, good fortune, wisdom, and most of all, freedom.


Free of restraint, he swims transcendently through the elements of fire, water, earth, and air. The piece is mostly goldwork, including the rare technique ‘underside couching’, which pays homage to the great ecclesiastic embroiderers in Opus Anglicanum of medieval times.
Follow Kate on Instagram here
Chloe Angrave
RSN 2023 Degree Graduate Chloe Angrave was also a finalist in the Student Fashion Category.
‘Oceanic Decay’ examines Chloe’s fascination with sea life. She believes it is important that the fashion industry becomes more sustainable.


This body of work presents through embroidery how climate change is affecting the ocean, using new innovative materials as well as repurposed collected ones to create a luxurious, bespoke garment.
Follow Chloe on Instagram here
Congratulations to everyone on their fantastic achievements, and we can’t wait to see what each and every finalist does next!
Come along to the next RSN Degree Open Day to see what opportunities could be in store for you. Book here