Leather design competition to extend global reach
The Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA)’s ‘Real Leather. Stay Different’ design competition will become an annual event following its restart in September.
The event was originally set up in China by LHCA in partnership with the China Leather Industry Association and was extended to Taiwan, Italy and the UK at the start of this year.
LHCA says the decision to expand the contest “follows strong international interest in the competition before the advent of, and disruptions caused by, COVID 19”.
The competition’s prizes range from work placements with leading fashion brands including Mulberry to a US tour. More than 800 entries across three categories of apparel, footwear and fashion accessories were received from 25 leading fashion and design colleges and universities.
LHCA president Stephen Sothmann said: “As a global leader in leather, we are committed to promoting best practice in quality leather production. And we are committed to supporting fresh talent, at a time when they need it most.”
LHCA and its partners - CLIA, UNIC (Italian tanners’ association), Lineapelle, Leather UK and the Taiwan International Leather Association (TILA) – have provided educational materials, college lectures and prizes that provide practical experience for the next generation of fashion designers and craftspeople.
Dr Kerry Senior, director of Leather UK, added: “It was a huge disappointment for the students, universities and UK leather sector that the competition could not go ahead as planned. However, we are very excited for the relaunch in September, and the opportunity to showcase the design talent of our students and the beauty and versatility of leather.”
