Madelaine Atkinson, MA learner at JCA | London Fashion Academy is a finalist for the Hand & Lock Prize in the Student Fashion category. The prize was set up in 2000 to promote the fine art of embroidery.
Madelaine’s showstopper garment, The Uncovered Secrets Sin Cape’s was inspired by the Ireland mother and baby scandal that came alight in 2015. Each inch of the cape pays homage to hundreds of children that were secretly buried at a home in Tuam which was run by nuns. As Shamrocks are the Irish symbol of Catholicism, Madelaine thought it was fitting to digitally stitch and hand cut 802 individual Shamrock clovers onto the cape. Each Shamrock represents each child that was found buried at the Tuam.
Madelaine Atkinson is currently enrolled onto the JCA | London Fashion Academy Fashion Entrepreneurship in Design and Brand Innovation course where she has been experimenting different styles and techniques for her brand. Previously, Madelaine has explored social issues which have been the inspiration behind her garments so far.
The Hand & Lock Prize is held annually and receives submissions from fashion students and talented embroiderers from over 40 countries worldwide. The competition is split into two categories: Fashion and Textile Art. The judging panel is made up of industry professionals who choose 24 finalists to showcase their garment during the final days of the exhibition.
