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The Real Leather. Stay Different. 2024 Showcase finale took place at Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week in Addis Ababa from November 8-11.
Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists! Could you be next? Stay tuned—the 2025 competition launches soon.
Click the below images to find out more about 2024’s finalists!
Apparel
Footwear
Accessories
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.
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.
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.
The second Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase was the hit of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week in Addis Ababa, Kenya. The 14 finalists showed off their designs, each highlighting the versatility and sustainability of
Ruth was awarded Most Commendable Designer for the second consecutive year for her design, 'Overfishing Bag'. Her design was recently displayed at the International Real Leather. Stay Different. Award ceremony in the US Embassy, London and will also be
Real Leather. Stay Different., in partnership with the African Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) and the Leather & Hide Council of America (L&HCA), is excited to reveal the judging panel for the 2024 Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase.
Your chance to have your designs featured in a showcase in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or even present your work at the Real Leather. Stay Different. International Design Competition in Europe.
Ethiopian designer Ruth Girmay was awarded the title of ‘Most Commendable Designer’ at The Real Leather. Stay Different. African Talent Leather Design showcase in December.
Dorcas Shoko is a 19 year old student from Harare, Zimbabwe. Having studied A-Level Art, Maths and Physics at Lomagundi College, Dorcus is looking to progress into the fashion industry. She wants to make a positive impact in the leather world, so her project
Yalew Shebabaw is the owner and general manager of Zenar leather products, based in Bahirdar, Ethiopoia. His design inspiration is drawn from a world where innovation meets tradition, where the timeless allure of pure leather converges with cutting-edge
Zeyin credits the start of their love of leather products to when he had to recommend leather bag design ideas to his mother for her small-scale leather business when he was twelve. His multi-functional design was inspired by various reading materials like
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