US Embassy hosts leather event

Reporting on a recent international awards ceremony held in the heart of London to acknowledge innovation and creativity in the use of leather.

A variety of inspirational leather designs from a number of very creative students were put on display at the recent ‘Real Leather. Stay Different’ (RLSD) awards evening which was hosted by US ambassador Jane D Hartley at her country’s embassy in London.

The annual RLSD student design competition, which is funded by the Leather and Hide Council of America, has the goal of discovering young talent while encouraging innovation in the use of leather. The contest was open to current fashion design students around the world and designers who graduated in 2022 or 2023. Entrants were required to submit a bespoke leather item made from at least 50 per cent of cattle hide leather.

The overall winner

Twenty-one-year-old Josslyn Shi from California College of Art – the ‘People’s Choice’ category winner – was crowned overall winner of the 2024 RLSD International Student Design Competition at the event in the British capital. Her design project, entitled ‘Ephemeral Eclosion’ consisted of a leather jacket with detachable and reusable components, thus permitting customisation and extended wear. The garment – which was reportedly inspired by the lifecycle of butterflies – is said to have impressed the judging panel with its combination of craftsmanship, innovation and commitment to sustainability.

The other finalists were Mor Elfassy from Israel (in the apparel category), Roscha Dinler from Germany, who designed footwear, and Bingbing Bai from the UK (accessories). All these category winners’ designs will appear in a capsule collection that is said to highlight the importance of using natural materials and sustainable design in fashion.

The photograph at the top of this page shows the awards evening taking place at the US Embassy in London.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 31 of the November 2024 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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