Leather and natural fibres in focus at international student contest
The Only Natural International Student Design Competition 2025 has announced seven category winners, now showcasing their work at the Material Matters Fair during London Design Festival.
Grant Gibson (pictured), design writer and competition judge, praised the students for “reimagining entire design processes around regenerative principles.”
Leather was highlighted in Mor Elfassy’s Touch Wood womenswear collection, using weave-knitting techniques, and in Bingbing Bai’s Eternal Vitality accessories, which draw on Tuscan vegetable-tanned leather.
Kerry Brozyna, president of the Leather & Hide Council of America, said the winners show how natural fibres are being pushed to new creative limits.
The finalists, representing seven countries, will attend an awards ceremony on September 16 before their work goes on display at the Material Matters Fair from September 17–20.
