The first round of judging for the 2025 Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase is now complete, marking an exciting milestone in this annual celebration of creativity and sustainable design.
This year’s competition attracted hundreds of entries from across the continent, spanning the categories of apparel, footwear and accessories. After careful deliberation, our expert judging panel has shortlisted 15 designers – five in each category – whose work represents not only exceptional craft but bold originality.
Each finalist embodies the spirit of the competition: the courage to challenge convention, the creativity to push boundaries, and a commitment to staying different.
Congratulations to all our 2025 Finalists!
The selected designers are now preparing physical samples of their creations to be presented at the final Africa Showcase, where one will be crowned Most Commendable Designer. Click the links below to explore this year’s standout projects and the vision behind them.
Apparel
Eddie Louis Ochom: SOAKED IN RED
EMEKA Oguejiofor: Project Rebirth
Gideon Munyao: THE LIGHT YOU CARRY-WILL BE RETURNED
Paulina Mokhothu: OZONE REVIVAL COLLECTION – WEAR THE CHANGE
Omosalewa Ogunjimi: Unburnt
Accessories
GETANEH KIFLE: Dallol Mirage
Aisha Salim: Folded Histories
Stephen Maosa: La’ Balaba
Christina Horace: ARCTIC ECHO
Biniyam Solomon Bekele: Royal Plume Bag
Footwear
Farida Eid: Zahw
Francisca Okwiri Odundo: Dwennimmen Boot
George Otieno: FEET-FOOTWEAR AWARENESS
Andrew Chihungu: BLACK EDEN
Annie Chifulemba: Chirengedwe School Shoes
Josslyn Shi from California College of Art has been crowned Overall Winner of the Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition at a glittering final event held at the U.S. Embassy in London.
Through the Lens’, is a collection inspired by the often discarded photonegative and the private, intimate memories that they contain.
On September 8th, the Taiwan student design competition concluded with a glorious award ceremony at Taipei 101...
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.
In partnership with Arts Thread, The Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition judges have been announced for 2023. The judges for this year’s competition include last year's overall winner- Gal Benjamin, the Managing Director
