AFRICA TALENT LEATHER DESIGN

SHOWCASE

2025 Design Competition Open Now

Now celebrating its third year in Africa and fifth year globally, the Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase is a transformative platform that promotes leather as the material of choice for a sustainable future

Could you be this years winner? Sign up and enter now!

2024 AFRICA SHOWCASE FINAL EVENT, ADDIS ABABA

We are thrilled to announce the crowning of Ruth Girmay as the 2024 Most Commendable Designer!

Meet The Winners

Click the below images to find out more about 2024’s finalists!

THE BRIEF AND DELIVERABLES

You are asked to use leather as the inspiration for a single item, either clothing, shoes, or accessories. Entries must be at least 50% cowhide leather by surface area and use natural materials wherever possible. While exceptions may be made for items such as zippers, snap fasteners, the overall design will be evaluated holistically, and a comprehensive list of materials must be provided upon submission. It is important to emphasise that natural materials should be used whenever possiblePlease note that the use of fur or exotic skins is strictly prohibited.  We would like your piece to capture one or more of the facets of leather, from beauty and versatility to strength and durability.  

Entries should include the following elements: 

  1. A summary of your project provided in English. 
  2. Storyboards and design inspiration. 
  3. Sketches, flats, technical specifications (including full list of materials used), and final design (the item does not need to be physically made at this stage). 
  4. A short two-minute video to introduce you and your design. This is optional but encouraged, as it would make a great addition to your entry. 

Please give consideration to ease of recycling, reuse and disposal at the end of the products life, and also think about the practicalities of commercial production, as we are looking for designers who will start new brands, fashion movements, or style trends.  

Click here for the full brief

Three categories available:

1

Apparel

2

Footwear

3

Accessories

Designs that celebrate the beauty, versatility & sustainability of leather and champion slow style.

Designs must be made of at least 50% leather from cow hide.

Any other materials used must be natural or organic materials, for example wood or any natural fibres.

No fur or exotic skins. Our mission is to cut waste and utilise materials that would otherwise be sent to landfill.

Designs will be judged hollistically on all materials used, these must be natural or organic where possible.

Prizes

Selected designers will be awarded an Exhibitor’s Certificate, cash prizes, and have their work featured in RLSD Africa’s Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. One designer will be awarded the title of ‘Most Commendable Designer’ and recieve a trophy and feature as part of a capsule collection showcasing the best international talent in Europe [September 2024], with travel and accommodation expenses covered by the organizers. An additional four titles of ‘People’s Choice Award’, ‘Accessories Design Award’, ‘Footwear Design Award’ and ‘Apparel Design Award’ will be presented with a trophy by the judging panel.

ABOUT REAL LEATHER. STAY DIFFERENT.

Real Leather. Stay Different. is a global campaign that has reached some 750 million people and hundreds of thousands of students. It makes the case for cattle leather (and other natural materials) and for making the best use of society’s waste and that hides, as the by-product of the dairy and meat industries, should be considered before looking to the petrochemical industries for manmade materials. Flexible and durable, leather is the natural alternative to fast fashion.

The Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase will run alongside the annual International Student Design Competition and regional competitions.

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Educational Materials

Want to learn more about how using leather cuts waste, landfill and carbon? Or about its durability, versatility and timeless style?