Emily Omesi, a BFA undergraduate of Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City (FIT NYC), impressed the judges with her leather jacket design (pictured) entitled ‘Bacterial Genetics’, inspired by scans of infectious diseases. 

The judging panel included Katie Greenyer of the Pentland Group, stylist Mike Adler and Rollacoaster magazine art director Milan Miladinovs.

Ms Omesi said: “I love working with leather - there is truly no other material like it. It’s durable and can last the wearer a lifetime but is also very delicate to sew. 

“Handling leather takes patience and practice - similar to creating a sculpture. Every leather hide is unique, which makes the process that much special.”

Building on the success of competitions that ran in Italy, Taiwan, China and the UK, the first ‘Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition’ encourages the use of leather in delivering a more sustainable future and the next generation of designers to think about ‘slow fashion’. 

Judge Mike Adler said: “This jacket is not only super editorial but its modern and futuristic design easily translates into music and celebrity styling as well as the retail space. We need new designers who will challenge the norm and can combine sustainability with high fashion effortlessly - Emily has delivered on all these points."

Steve Sothmann, president of sponsors Leather and Hide Council of America, set out the challenges for designers and the issue of waste in the industry. He said: “In a world increasingly threatened by human activity, where waste is piling up and oceans flooding with plastic, it is up to every single one of us to make a change. Promoting slow fashion and encouraging the use of sustainable materials like leather, that would otherwise end up in landfill, is at the core of what we do. We are in a global search to find and encourage more students and young designers to change the face of fashion and take a stand and become ambassadors for the planet.” 

The other four shortlisted finalists were Alice Morgan (University of Derby, UK), Meghan Beattie (Birmingham City University, UK), Teresita Marrero Escalona (Universidad del Azuay, Ecuador) and Nathalie Hauser (Kolding School of Design, Denmark). Their entries ranged from delicate silver and leather jewellery to intricate patchwork, shape-defining handbags, and extravagant costume designs.