We are delighted for the third year to host the UK Real Leather. Stay Different. Student Design Competition 2023, a search for the best of the UK’s new designers and for those who want to promote slow style and a more sustainable future for fashion.
According to Greenpeace, synthetics – made using petrochemicals from the oil industry – now make up 60% of our clothing. These clothes not only take hundreds of years to biodegrade but are often cheap and poorly made. The result — nearly one billion items of clothing, each typically worn just five times — are thrown away every year.
In the meantime, leather, a natural by-product of the dairy and meat industries and our growing demand for food — from burgers to milkshakes, can be used to make items that last a lifetime and, when disposed of, biodegrade quickly. Leather is a perfect solution to one of fashion’s biggest problems, but each year almost half of the world’s cattle hides are just thrown away.
To encourage thinking about our planet’s future and to combat this waste, our judges are challenging you to create an original, innovative, and visually stunning design, in one of three categories of apparel, accessories or footwear made from real cattle leather. They would also like to see how entrants approach creating garments that will not only last, but be loved, for a lifetime.
Entries must be at least 50% cattle hide leather and any other materials used must be natural or organic materials where possible. We do not accept the use of fur or exotic skins. Plastics must only be used where no natural alternatives are available. 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:
– A brief summary of your project provided in English.
– Storyboards and design inspiration.
– Sketches, flats, technical specifications, and final design (the item does not need to be physically made at this stage).
– 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 product’s 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.
The competition opens March 15, 2023, and closes on June 30, 2023. Any entries submitted after that date will not be accepted.
Register for the competition via the link below to create your profile and upload your entry.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE COMPETITION AND VIEW THE T&CS
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.
Plastics must only be used where no natural alternatives are available.
Each of the three category winners will receive a trophy, certificate and Coffee Table Book covering the competition and including their entry. The overall winner will be chosen from three categories, their design will be professionally made, and form part of a capsule collection showcasing the best international talent and unveiled at an event hosted in Europe in October 2023.
Accessories
Apparel
Footwear
VIEW THE FULL LIST OF SHORTLISTED ENTRIES FOR 2022:
Recently graduated from Loughborough University, Abigail specialised in Multimedia Textiles Design & Innovation. With a keen eye for colour and detail she found that the possibility of experimenting with materials within fashion design is such an exciting and
During her university years, Hanzhi majored in industrial design but was very interested in fashion, which is why she eventually chose to study fashion at postgraduate level. During her time at university, she was interested in studying materials and was
Oriol Clavell is a Catalan designer based in London, whose project Epentismo has won this year’s Apparel Category for the UK Student Design Competition. His work focuses on self-identity discovery – exploring cultural heritage as well as notions of
Welcome to The Annual, a celebration of the 2020/21 Real Leather. Stay Different. Student Design Competitions.
The Real Leather. Stay Different. UK Student Design Competition, in partnership with ArtsThread, has confirmed its category and People’s Choice winners for this year, as well as the Overall
As part of this year's Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition, a Digital Fashion Futures workshop will be available to all fashion students globally on Wednesday 15th June at 12:00 BST for one
We're pleased to announce the appointment of this year’s judging panel for the UK Student Design Competition. World-renowned designer Bill Amberg, master saddle maker Suzie Fletcher and bespoke creator and repairer Ruth Glen will be faced with the difficult
The Real Leather. Stay Different. Student Design competitions 2020/21 have concluded with winners announced from the UK, Italy, Taiwan and China.
Want to learn more about how using leather cuts waste, landfill and carbon? Or about its durability, versatility and timeless style?
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Stay different with our monthly roundup, which includes the latest on leather fashion and sustainable features, competition news and more.
