Announcing the 2025 Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition category winners!
After a judging process made gruelling by the amazingly high standard of entries, the results are now in.
The competition featured three main categories: Apparel, Footwear and Accessories and a People’s Choice Award. Winners of all four will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Taipei to present their designs for the judging of the overall winner and to attend an awards ceremony and celebration at Ambi Space One in the stunning Taipei 101 skyscraper. They will be joined by the winner of the Taiwanese Competition who will also be in the running for the overall title.
Islam says this black and white, sculptural piece “explores the tension between the ego’s desire to protect, control and impress, and the contrasting emotions of vulnerability, tenderness and a deep yearning for love”.
Jamie says “these shoes can last a lifetime. Something breaks? Replace it with a new part. Your taste changes? Swap out the shapes, colours, and materials. Move to the top of a mountain? Put on a waterproof upper and grippy sole”.
Sara says “’ombrage’ is a men’s and women’s Leather Goods, Footwear, and Jewellery collection born from curiosity to explore and observe everything we tend to overlook or hide”.
Lan Anh says the “’Horn-to-Hope’ bag symbolizes resilience through the unexpected union of rhinos and orchids—two powerful survivors”.
The winning designs will be featured in a special capsule collection, showcasing the best of international talent and promoting a more thoughtful and sustainable future for the fashion industry.
The judging panel for the 2025 final includes prominent figures from the fashion world including Christopher Koerber of Hugo Boss, celebrity stylist Mike Adler and Kora Hsieh of Harper’s BAZAAR Taiwan.
The competition received a record-breaking 1,483 entries from around the world.
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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