Mercy Chewetu Mukupa is the founder and creative director of Queen of Chitenge Fashion Limited in Lusaka, Zambia. The inspiration behind her design, 'Fusion of Cultures: A Sustainable Approach to Leather Jacket Design Presenting the Mwila’s Jacket,' stems
Getaneh Kifle works in a research and development centre for the leather and leather goods industry in Ethiopia as a leather goods and accessories designer. The legend of King LALIBELA, the most well-known ruler of Ethiopia, serves as inspiration for the
As with all recycling and upcycling perhaps the most prominent benefit is the environmental impact reduction. Leather production is resource-intensive, involving land usage, water consumption, and the emission of greenhouse gases. By upcycling, you reduce the
Eden Hailu works as a researcher and footwear designer in a leather product development research centre alongside owning and managing her own small business that focuses on leather product manufacturing. Drape your footwear is draws inspiration from fish
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
Ochom Eddie Louis is a costume designer and visual artist from Uganda. From an early age Ochom showed a passion for art, nurtured by the guidance of his uncle who is a skilled painter. His design was inspired by the manyatta homesteads with the aim to create
Asirsam Kifle was born and raised in Ethiopia. From a young age he was intrigued by fashion and remembers himself regularly looking through fashion magazines and sketching designs. The idea behind his design was to make a product that blends Ethiopian
The circular economy is a sustainable and innovative economic model that seeks to redefine the traditional linear model of production and consumption. Instead, it promotes a system where resources are used for as long as possible, and then recovered and
Modern technology often deceives us into thinking that new methods are always better but there are few folk that can make a case for traditional techniques like the Devonshire-based J & FJ Baker & Co, Britain's oldest-surviving leather tannery.
Determined to shift the narrative around waste and launch a business that prioritised environmental change rather than simply making a profit, Genia Mineeva started BEEN in 2012. Today, the brand maintains its ethos whilst enjoying a global customer base.
We’ve seen the return of countless noughties fashion trends over recent years, from cargo pants to baguette bags and low-rise jeans – and now it’s the turn of the humble ballet flat.
Leather is undoubtedly always a key feature at fashion week – it forms the basis of countless staples, after all – but in recent seasons, the impact of leather as a textile all-rounder has majorly returned to favour.