
Winners of Mainland China’s Real Leather. Stay Different. student design competition announced
The China Student Design Competition has concluded and the winners have been announced!
Real Leather. Stay Different. is 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 task of choosing the best creations from this year’s competition.
Open to current undergraduate students and recent graduates, the competition is run in partnership with ArtsThread and Leather UK. Its mission is to encourage a new generation of designers to reconsider their relationship with leather and other natural materials to create stunning designs where longevity and minimal environmental impact is key.
Entrants are challenged to design a piece of clothing, footwear or an accessory using 50% or more leather. As part of the prize, the winning design will be professionally made and form part of a capsule collection presented at the International Student Competition Awards Party in London during Fashion Week in September. The competition is now live, with entries being accepted until 30th June.
MEET THE JUDGES:
Bill Amberg founded the Bill Amberg Studio in 1984. He is a global authority on architectural leatherwork and the integration of leather into interior spaces. Alongside architecture and interiors, the Bill Amberg Studio is renowned for its artisanal leather bags and accessories, with his iconic ‘Rocket Bag’ included in the permanent collection of London’s V&A and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Bill is passionate about sustainability and is involved in a host of mentor and social enterprises across the craft sphere. He is a board member and trustee of Cockpit Arts and the National Leather Collection, an honorary Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, and has honorary doctorates from UAL and the University of Northampton.
In her 47 year career, Suzie has worked both in the UK and abroad helping to train and share the vast amount of knowledge she has acquired over the years. While in the states Suzie acted as the authorised repair person for many of the well-known saddle makers in Walsall UK.
Suzie continues to broaden her education at every opportunity and enjoys sharing different ideas and theories of leather crafting with those who share in her passion. She is a Patron of the Sustainable Leather Foundation and is passionate about the leather industry’s place within a sustainable future, and the education of consumers about leather’s role as part of a long-term solution for sustainability.
Following specialist training at Cordwainers College and thirty-five years in the industry, Ruth’s experience has extended across the private, commercial and public sectors, working closely with UK and international designers from High Street to Couture.
Ruth has twenty years of teaching experience; training and mentoring the next generation of makers, honed from her time at Central St. Martins, the London College of Fashion and Cordwainers College. Ruth and her team work closely with selected BA/MA students and universities to provide them with high quality creative direction, product development and prototyping services. We have always supported students and encouraged newcomers to the industry and are currently developing an in-house initiative focusing on education and skills training.
Click here to view the competition page for entry details and other information.
The China Student Design Competition has concluded and the winners have been announced!
As Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, we thought we’d share with you our five favourite dynamic duos of all time that have captured our hearts through the media, on camera and even our Twitter feeds.
In continuing my series, I present my edit of absolute Leather Loves—from the amazing years of the Costume Institute’s red carpet for you to discover or relive and enjoy!
Inspired by the women of the Bauhaus; Jonathon's collection consists of modern shapes and woven scraps of left over leather.