The Real Leather. Stay Different. China Design Student Competition celebrates the beauty, sustainability and versatility of leather, while recognizing the innovation and craftsmanship that the new generation has to offer. The competition engages with young and exciting designers to directly highlight the history, application and sustainable credentials of leather as a rich and versatile material. In doing so we look to recognize and reward creativity, craftwork and innovation in fashion & design while also creating new exciting ambassadors who can champion leather for the future.
Who says punk is out of fashion? Chen Jiayu certainly doesn’t think so as she brings the nonconformist style back into fashion not just in China, but across the globe. We were able to briefly pull her away from her studies to tell us more about her shortlisted submission for the ‘Real Leather’ student design competition- read more about that here!
Congratulations for being shortlisted! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Chen Jiayu. I’m a design student from Yixing, Jiangsu, China. I study at Zhejiang University of Science and Technology.
Tell us about your submission.
My design inspiration comes from the timeless and bohemian style of Punk. I wanted to use items that were stand-out characteristics of this style, so my submission consists of a rebellious woman on a motorcycle wearing metal accessories such as rivets, leather buckles and zip chain pockets.
What are your thoughts on working with leather?
I found working with leather challenging to say the least. As leather has very different qualities compared to what is typically used on clothes, I found that cutting, weaving and collaging on leather really is an art that takes time to master. Nevertheless, I enjoyed working with a traditional fabric that has so many qualities that are unheard of with other materials.
*To find out more and check out the other entrants see our YouTube video here*
The China Design Student Competition received 416 sketch designs from seven renowned universities and colleges, including Tsinghua University and Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, were submitted for the categories of Apparel, Footwear and Accessories. A judging panel consisting of domestic fashion designers, leather designers of retail brands and leather experts, has selected 54 of the most innovative designs. Winning finalists will then be selected for a product demonstration and award ceremony, planned to take place at Shanghai Fashion Week 2021, with national lifestyle and fashion media in attendance.
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.
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