China Design Competition: Huan Shengan
We catch up with another design student, Huan Shengan, and discuss the inspiration for her designs and thoughts on working with leather.
It was the Autumn/Winter ’23 runways that signalled a crimson wave was coming for 2024. From Bottega Veneta to Stella McCartney, The Row to Valentino, Gucci, Fendi and Ferragamo, red was declared fashion’s latest ‘it’ shade – which was only further cemented by the countless celebrities who have since matched their gowns to the red carpet.
The likes of Florence Pugh, Margot Robbie, Gigi Hadid and Emily Blunt all made red their colour of choice during 2024’s awards season, while Kylie Jenner’s draped pillarbox mini dress was the talk of fashion week following her outing at the Jacquemus SS24 show.
Naturally, this year’s biggest colour trend has influenced leatherwork, too. We saw patent red leather blazers at Gucci, a biker jacket and micro shorts set at Isabel Marant and cut-out burgundy leathers at Hermes – not to mention Bottega’s standout red leather cocktail dress.
Luckily, red is a forever classic, so buying into one of 2024’s offerings doesn’t feel frivolous. Below, our five key red leather pieces to shop this year…
The red leather trainer
Adidas trainers remain the ‘it’ comfort shoes for 2024, with colourful shades having a major moment this year. Switch it up from the Samba or the Gazelle with the brand’s Busenitz sneakers, designed in collaboration with professional skateboarder Dennis Busenitz – the burgundy shade, made in suede and leather, will add a pop of red to any outfit.
The red leather handbag
Spicy chilli and tomato shades were all over the Spring/Summer 2024 handbag trends, from Valentino to Altuzarra and Gucci. Acne Studios’ new multi-pocket bag, which also featured on the runways, is now available in red patent leather – and with its utilitarian pouches and coquette-ish bow details, it nails two trends in one.
The red leather jacket
Nineties-style boxy leathers are continually trending, and Reformation’s ‘Veda’ jacket, which has been reimagined in a cherry hue, hits the nail on the head with its wide collar, midi length and oversized cut. Reformation prioritises using leather from gold and silver-rated LWG tanneries, and makes limited garment runs to avoid over-production.
The red leather loafer
The Row’s red leather loafers quickly became the must-have flats of early 2024 after Hailey Bieber was spotted sporting them with jeans and an oversized trench coat – as well as double Oscar winner Emma Stone, who wore them for a television appearance in March. Instead of The Row’s sell-out pair, opt for Sézane’s ‘Vicky’ loafers, made using vegetable-tanned leather.
The red leather skirt
If you really want to embrace this year’s red leather look, go all-out with a patent mini skirt in rich scarlet. As seen at the likes of Isabel Marant, Versace, Gucci and Theunissen, actress Anya Taylor-Joy recently made a case for the look in a matching set by Courrèges – but you could just as easily team it with a simple baby tee, or a crisp shirt.
We catch up with another design student, Huan Shengan, and discuss the inspiration for her designs and thoughts on working with leather.
Taiwan Region's third annual Real Leather. Stay Different. Student Design Competition received 460 entries from students from 18 colleges and universities. The five judges selected 20 finalists who had the opportunity to make prototypes of their designs- and
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