Following a final judging round held at True Digital Park, Bangkok. Kittidech Chankraithong’s collection, Rode-Mail, claimed the competition’s highest honour, taking home both the Thailand Overall Winner title and first place in the Apparel category.
The competition invited university students from across Thailand to explore the creative potential of real leather across three categories: Accessories, Apparel, and Footwear. Ten finalists made it to the final round, where they presented their design concepts alongside finished prototypes crafted from genuine cowhide leather sponsored by Interhides Public Company Limited.
Each finalist presented their work and answered questions from a judging panel drawn from across Thailand’s leather, fashion, and design industries.
The 2026 Winners
Rode-Mail earned the competition’s top honour as Thailand Overall Winner, while also securing first place in the Apparel category — a double win that set it apart from the rest of the field.
The judges praised the collection for its creativity, craftsmanship, contemporary design sensibility and thoughtful integration of Thai cultural heritage. Drawing inspiration from the visual language of Thai buses and bus tickets, Kittidech Chankraithong’s collection combines traditional Thai lacquer and gold-leaf gilding techniques with real leather, reinterpreting familiar elements of Thai culture through a contemporary fashion lens.
The result is a collection that shows how traditional craft techniques and cultural references can be reimagined through innovative design, offering a fresh interpretation of Thai identity through leather.
RLSD Thailand congratulates all the winning teams and finalists for their creativity, dedication and commitment throughout the competition. The program also extends its sincere appreciation to all participating students, industry partners and the judging panel for their valuable contributions, expertise and support in nurturing the next generation of Thai designers.
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.
Inspired by growing up on her family farm, Chloe's designs pay respect to the longevity of leather as she creates a garment that will be handed down over generations.
Meet Lai Tsui Yu this year's Gold Apparel Winner in the 2021 Taiwan Student Design Competition.
One of the things we love about leather is that it is so durable that it can last for forever. So, why throw away an old pair of sandals when you can make them look as good as new?
While many fashion brands outsource design and manufacturing processes around the globe, there are homegrown leather workshops that are passionate about their
