Student ‘slow fashion’ design competition opens applications

The Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) international student ‘slow fashion’ design competition has opened applications in partnership with ArtsThread, a digital platform to present the work of creatives.

Those who wish to enter the competition are asked to create a single item, either clothing, footwear or accessories, using leather as at least 50 percent of the item and other natural materials where possible.

Applications require the following elements: storyboards and inspiration, one final design drawing and a video introducing the designer and the final design.

The shortlisted finalists will be invited to a live showcase final event during London Fashion Week, September 2022, where they will present their design concept to a jury of industry experts. The winner will have their designs turned into real professionally-made garments.

Steve Sothmann, president of L&HCA, said in a statement: “The competition’s mission is to spark the interest of young designers to work with natural, sustainable, responsibly produced real leather - a by-product of the meat and dairy industries - which puts hides that otherwise go to the landfill, to good use.

“120 million hides are thrown away every year. In their place, the fashion industry uses plastic, synthetics and fake pleather. The result is more demand for oil, more low-cost disposable clothing, more waste, more landfill, more microfibres in our waters and more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.”

Alex Brownless, co-founder and president of ArtsThread, added: “We are delighted to, once again, be supporting this competition. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their talent but it also highlights the critical need to reject fast fashion and replace this with slow style.”

Applications for the competition close on 30 June 2022 and it is open to all students and recent graduates globally.

.