The Real Leather. Stay Different. China leather design 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.
Lou Mei’s entry for the ‘Real Leather’ global student design competition is based on the colourful world of Princess Libby, escaping reality and diving into a joyful dream. We were pleased to talk to her about her love for working with leather and her imaginative concept.
I’m Lou Mei and I’m a 21-year-old student at Zhejiang University of Science and Technology. I’m originally from Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
Tell us about your submission.
My source of inspiration comes from the game Princess Libby: Dream School. I wanted to colourfully express in my entry the strangeness and freedom in dreams which can be separated from reality.
What are your thoughts on working with leather?
The way in which you can reconstruct leather really interests me. I’m intrigued by the multiple ways you can rebuild and rework leather. In discovering new techniques and technologies this is what allows many designers to develop their own unique styles. I love the way there are many reconstruction methods you can use to produce stunning visual effects, like dyeing, printing, collaging, filling, embroidering – the list goes on.
*To find out more and check out the other entrants see our YouTube video here*
The China leather design 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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