International Competition - Real Leather. Stay Different.Real Leather. Stay Different.

International

The first International Real Leather. Stay Different. Student Design Competition is now closed.

Congratulations to Emily Omesi, a BFA undergraduate of Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, who has won the inaugural competition with her thought-provoking leather jacket design entitled ‘Bacterial Genetics’, inspired by scans of infectious diseases.

Read the full story here!

With entries from more than 100 universities from 36 countries around the world, representing 58 nationalities in total, we’ve gone truly international!

You impressed us with a wide range of entries of exceptional calibre that made selecting the winner incredibly difficult.

As the winner of the Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition, Emily not only takes home the RLSD trophy, but also has had her design professionally made and featured on the cover of acclaimed international fashion magazine, Rollacoaster and modelled by Sano Turdiev.

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Manufacture of the winner’s design

Rollacoaster cover shoot in the AW21 issue of the magazine

Inclusion in a luxury coffee table book,
and a cool trophy for your top shelf!

OUR PARTNERS

STEP 1

Sign up with ArtsThread

STEP 2

Get your creative hat on to design your leather item

STEP 3

Upload your content online – DONE!

Calling all design students!

Through the International Student Design Competition, Real Leather. Stay Different. will engage with designers while also directly educating on leather, its history, applications and sustainable credentials.

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“More than 100 billion items of clothing, worn on average just seven times, are thrown away annually, taking 10s if not hundreds of years to biodegrade.”

MEET THE JUDGES

THE FASHION STYLIST

Mike Adler, ADB Agency

“I think the future of fashion is sustainability – and it is a consumer-led movement. Big brands are being driven to be more ethical in the way they source their leather and the assets they use. And sustainable leather has also become more available to brands.”

THE ART DIRECTOR

Milan Miladinov, Rollacoaster Magazine

“Fashion is a mirror of our society. Considering everything that has happened this year, I see the future of fashion firmly moving into the digitised space, an era of infinite possibilities. The power of technology and social media will transform the whole fashion industry."

THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Katie Greenyer, Pentland Group

“Investigate and find out everything you possibly can about a career. Enter competitions, offer yourself up to work on projects and placements. Don’t be afraid to connect with people that can get your foot in the door. Have breadth in your portfolio, be passionate focussed and don’t give up.”

THE COMPETITION CHAIR

Stephen Sothman, L&HCA President

“I am proud to be part of an industry that predates that of fashion and indeed the concept of industry itself; and that leather is coming back into vogue as fashion looks to a greener, more sustainable future.”

Slow Style. Fast Fashion. Or both?

Almost half of the world’s leather hides, created by our ever-growing demand for fast-food - burgers and milkshakes, are just thrown away every year. Our student design competition puts some of this waste to use.

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Want to learn more about how using leather cuts waste, landfill and carbon? Or about its durability, versatility and timeless style? Download our educational materials.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS