The Real Leather. Stay Different. Taiwan 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.
First round judging for Taiwan’s ‘Real Leather’ student design competition is finished – with more than 300 entries from hundreds of aspiring design students from the top design schools in Taiwan now cut down to just 23 finalists.
Designs were submitted in four categories: apparel, bags, footwear and fashion accessories, and put to a judging panel which consists of prestigious Taiwanese designers, media and fashion stars. The shortlisted 23 designs include seven in Apparel, seven in Footwear, six in Accessories and three in Bags – all will be entered into the competition’s final stage.
The impressive line-up of judges includes world-renowned womenswear designer Mao Tsen Chang, of MAOMAO.STUDIO, and Lu Shufen, Editor in Chief of Elle Magazine Taiwan.
With inspiration ranging from picnics to transformation of objects and animals such as beetles, a variety of designs were received but all shared the theme of individuality and a focus on enduring style rather than disposable, fast fashion.
The talented shortlisted designers now have until August 8 to make samples of their designs. The category winners will be chosen by an online vote on Facebook from August 10-31, after which the judging panel will choose an overall winner on September 7.
On September 8, winners will be honoured at a product demonstration and awards ceremony hosted at Taipei 101, the 500metre super-skyscraper. Attendees, including entrants, students and local media, will be able to see examples of the best of the competition.
As well as cash rewards, competition winners will receive US training opportunities in leather and fashion.
We will be profiling finalists as the competition continues, check them out and don’t forget you can enter the public vote for your favourite!
The competition is being run in an international partnership between the Leather and Hide Council of America and the Taiwan International Leather Association.
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