Jamie Unlu O’Grady. International Overall Winner and International Footwear Category Winner
Jamie took the overall title with a collection of shoes that that was both revolutionary and highly marketable. He said: “SubTraction reimagines footwear as a modular system – personal, purposeful and circular. Bold in its rejection of convention, the project channels Dieter Rams’ principles into a language of simplicity and endurance.”
Trained at De Montford University in Leicester, UK, Jamie says he has a love/hate relationship with shoes: “I love looking at them, buying new ones and designing them. I hate the environmental and ethical damage caused by the industry and disposable nature of shoes, caused by the complex construction, low quality materials and unnecessary trend cycles.”
Internships at leading companies including adidas, The Footsoldiers and Pentland, as well as design projects with New Balance, Dr Martens and Bauer, instilled a pragmatic approach to design that served him well in his project.
His winning project, SubTraction, reimagines footwear as a modular system. Components assemble without glue or stitching, allowing parts to be replaced, interchanged or biodegraded independently.
He explained: “My goal is to change the way we interact with shoes so they become more of a living object that changes with us. This results in a more meaningful relationship, bringing circularity and longevity with each design.”
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.
Cate Havstad-Casad, the founder and creator of Oregon-based regenerative accessories brand Range Revolution, is someone who knows that every aspect of the supply chain is crucial when it comes to ethical leather production.
Following a ‘eureka moment’ at an airport, Liz van der Putten established Netherlands company Ted Louise with the aim to empower women AND improve the world with a sustainable, organised handbag.
Leather industry organisations from across the world have called on the COP26 Forum to recognise the role that leather and other natural fibres can play in tackling climate change.
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.
