Simona Tanning, a global leader in sustainable leather manufacturing, is becoming a sponsor of Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) Vietnam 2026, an International Student Design Competition.
As part of its commitment to fostering innovation and education within the leather industry, Simona Tanning will provide premium leather sides to shortlisted participants for sample-making. It will also host a technical tour of manufacturing facilities for students and lecturers.
Bridging the Gap Between Concept and Craft
The RLSD competition challenges young creatives to move away from “fast fashion” by exploring the durability and circularity of natural leather. To bring these creative visions to life, Simona Tanning is sponsoring high-quality leather sides, ensuring that the finalists have access to world-class materials that meet the highest international standards of both aesthetics and performance.
Beyond material support, Simona Tanning will host participants and academic mentors for a company tour. This experience is designed to provide a transparent view of the modern tanning process, from raw hide to finished product, bridging the gap between classroom theory and industrial execution.
About Simona Tanning
Simona Tanning is a global leather manufacturer with operations across Asia, dedicated to producing high-quality leather with a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and transparency.
With a vertically integrated approach and a focus on responsible sourcing, Simona continuously works to improve environmental performance through water management, renewable energy, and traceability systems that enable each hide to be tracked from origin to finished product.
Beyond production, Simona is deeply committed to education and the future of the leather industry. Through initiatives such as the Simona Leather Academy and collaborations with design institutions, the company actively supports the next generation of designers, promoting a deeper understanding of leather as a natural, durable, and circular material.
Simona believes in the value of craftsmanship, longevity, and responsible design — principles that align closely with the mission of promoting real leather as a sustainable alternative to fast fashion.
Through its global initiatives and partnerships, Simona continues to contribute to a more conscious and innovative future for the leather industry.
At Simona, we don’t just produce leather — we help shape the future of how it is understood, used, and valued.
For more information about Simona Tanning, please visit the following online resources: https://simonatanning.com/
About Real Leather. Stay Different Vietnam
“Real Leather. Stay Different.” is an international design competition that encourages students to work with real leather. It aims to highlight the material’s sustainable credentials while providing a global platform for the next generation of talent in apparel, footwear, and accessories.
Building on the success of its debut, 2026 marks the second consecutive year that this prestigious competition has been hosted in Vietnam, further solidifying Vietnam’s place in the global sustainable fashion industry map
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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