Have you got what it takes to stand out on the international stage – to champion leather and sustainable design?
The Real Leather. Stay Different. student design competitions are open worldwide. Submit your design to one of our five regional competitions or the International competition.
Visit rlsd.internationaldesigncomp.com to learn more and enter today.
The RLSD China Mainland team recently visited Sichuan University, Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts and Hubei Institute of Fine Arts, meeting with hundreds of students and faculty members in a dynamic exchange of ideas between the Real Leather. Stay Different.
We first met Tamar Elbaz in Milan in 2023, just before she presented her design, WHIM, to our panel of judges. As the Apparel Category winner of the Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition, she went on to claim the joint Overall
Admittedly, leather is a fabric that is most associated with Autumn/Winter – but as a new fashion season begins, we’d be remiss not to acknowledge its versatility. As ever, an army of designers have done just that on the Spring/Summer ‘25 catwalks –
From the Great Plains in the North to the grazing fields of the South, US hides make premium leather that is coveted in across the world.
More than five million people work in the global leather industry delivering natural, organic, sustainable, recyclable – and incredibly durable – material for the seats in cars and on planes, bags on our shoulders, jackets on our backs and shoes on our feet. At its heart sits the Leather & Hide Council of America, the national voice of an industry recognised for the quality of its hides, and the integrity of its supply chain. Its work helps its members divert around 30 million hides from landfill every year, by creating beautiful leathers for supply to customers in a 450-billion-dollar global sector.
US hides are prized for their quality and also for their sustainability. Ongoing investment in supply chain optimisation and traceability has made them the first choice for sectors from automative and aviation to fashion and footwear. This is the story of the world’s leading leather-producing nation.
Tucked away in a historic five-story factory along Chicago’s North Elston Avenue, Horween Leather Company has been crafting some of the world’s finest leather since 1905.
In a world hyperfixated on what will be deemed the next big trend, Connor McKenzie is breaking the mould – taking items that are already available and reimagining them. Through his work under Sole Rebel, he customises sneakers with a unique, handcrafted
For the first time, Real Leather. Stay Different. arrives in Vietnam—celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and the next generation of design talent. Our panel brings together talented leaders in Vietnamese leathercraft, from master shoemakers to
Think Small is where RLSD takes a look at some of the companies around the world that we think are doing the right thing with leather. This is a greenwashing free zone – no matter what they produce, sustainability is at the heart of what they do.
Since its launch in early 2025, RLSD Vietnam has made a significant impact on young fashion designers nationwide. Through a series of inspiring workshops at top universities, the competition provides hands-on experience with genuine leather— a sustainable,
A family business established in 1989 by Tim Bent, Bentleys antique leather shop is a collection of beautiful objects reminiscent of a museum. Unlike a museum, everything is for sale, and we feature one of these objects each month.
Let’s be honest – ergonomic footwear has a reputation for being a little… clunky. So I’m pleasantly surprised to discover Vibae, the if-you-know-you-know shoe brand that’s all about an organic aesthetic – and ethically-sourced natural materials,
Think small is where RLSD takes a look at some of the companies around the world that we think are doing the right thing with leather. This is a greenwashing free zone – no matter what they produce, sustainability is at the heart of what they do. What makes
