Entries are now open for the Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather
Design Showcase 2025—a premier platform for Africa’s designers to showcase their innovation in leather products design and commitment to sustainable fashion. Here are the key highlights:
• Competition kicks off on March 3, 2025, when registrations officially open.The final showcase will take place in December 2025 at a venue to be announced.
• A distinguished panel of judges will select category winners and the Most Commendable Designer 2025.
• The Most Commendable Designer will earn the opportunity to present their work on an international stage.
• Find out more about the competition: chooserealleather.com/competition/africa-competition/
The Leather & Hide Council of America (L&HCA) and the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) proudly announce the commencement of Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2025.
Now in its third year, the RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase serves as a transformative platform promoting leather as the material of choice for a sustainable future. RLSD is the consumer-facing initiative of a global campaign led by the Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA) to strengthen leather markets worldwide. In partnership with the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), LHCA champions the principles of slow fashion across the continent while showcasing Africa’s outstanding design talent.
Over the past five years, the campaign has engaged over 7,500 students from 720 universities across 48 countries, fostering innovation, responsible material use, and slow fashion advocacy.
A Movement for Sustainable Fashion
The RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2025 is more than just a competition—it is a movement dedicated to transforming the future of fashion. It celebrates leather’s beauty, versatility, strength, and durability, providing a platform for designers to showcase their creativity while embracing sustainability.
Through education and engagement, the showcase empowers designers with knowledge of sustainable fashion and responsible material use, ensuring ethical practices remain at the forefront of Africa’s design. By recognizing and rewarding innovation, it serves as a launchpad for designers to build their careers and businesses.
Beyond the competition, RLSD Africa nurtures global ambassadors, equipping them to advocate for ethical and responsible leather craftsmanship. At its core, the showcase champions slow fashion, challenging the wastefulness of fast fashion by promoting high-quality, sustainable designs that stand the test of time.
Industry Leaders’ Perspectives
“The fashion industry cannot afford to ignore its environmental impact. Consumers are informed, and change is inevitable. Leather stands at the heart of slow fashion because of its durability, offering an ethical and sustainable alternative to disposable fashion trends. By investing in products that last, we send a powerful message on sustainability—one that today’s conscious consumers deeply value. As we move forward, our collective responsibility is clear: prioritize sustainability, amplify our industry’s voice, and foster value creation to ensure long-term growth and impact.”
— Kerry Brozyna, President, Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA)
“The Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2025 champions leather as the material of choice for a sustainable future, providing designers across Africa with the skills, exposure, and platform to harness its beauty, versatility, and durability. Now is Africa’s time to lead in creating ethical, high-quality leather products and shaping the future of sustainable fashion.”
— Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director, Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI)
Key Dates and Requirements
The RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2025 is now open for entries. Here’s what you need to know:
– Registration: Opened on 3rd March 2025.
– Categories: Apparel, Accessories, and Footwear.
– Design Submission: Opens on 3rd March 2025 and closes on 6th June 2025, midnight BST.
– Announcement of Winning Designs: Selected designs will be announced on 2nd July 2025, along with invitations to submit the physical product.
– Submission of Physical Products: 4th July – 6th August 2025.
– Material Requirements: Entries must be at least 50% cowhide leather by surface area and use natural materials wherever possible. Exceptions may be made for components such as zippers and snap fasteners. Fur and exotic skins are strictly prohibited.
– Showcase Event: Scheduled for December 2025 (venue and date to be confirmed), with a potential digital showcase if travel restrictions apply.
Highlights of RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024
The 2024 edition, held alongside the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, showcased Africa’s exceptional talent:
– Ruth Girmay (Ethiopia) – Most Commendable Designer 2024, awarded for her *Overfishing Bag*, a marine conservation-inspired accessory.
– Eddie Louis (Uganda) – Apparel category winner with his *Contemporary Leather Armour Collection*, blending heritage and modernity.
– Nompumelelo Marilyn Samambgwa (Zimbabwe) – Recognized for her *Amaluba Collection*, a floral-inspired footwear line.
– Stephen Maosa (Kenya) – People’s Choice Award for his *Transformable Travel Bag*, made from upcycled denim and leather.
Each finalist brought a unique perspective to the competition, reinforcing Africa’s role as a powerhouse of sustainable fashion. The 2024 event set the stage for an even more exciting 2025 edition, with designers pushing boundaries, redefining leather craftsmanship, and embracing slow fashion.
About Real Leather. Stay Different.
Real Leather. Stay Different. is a global campaign that has reached approximately 750 million people. It promotes leather and other natural materials while advocating for the sustainable use of hides, a by-product of the dairy and meat industries, rather than relying on petrochemical-based materials.
Visit https://www.chooserealleather.com for inspiration, information, and creativity, where contributors discuss leather, fashion, and sustainability.
For competition details, visit rlsd.internationaldesigncomp.com
About Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA)
The Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA) represents the U.S. leather industry, advocating for sustainability, traceability, and ethical production. Established in 2020 through the merger of two historic industry associations, LHCA works with stakeholders, including the USDA, to develop new markets for agricultural exports and uphold leather as a premium material.
About Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI)
The Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) is a specialized intergovernmental organization under COMESA, dedicated to advancing Africa’s leather value chain. Headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ALLPI supports SMEs, promotes environmental sustainability, and strengthens regional trade integration.
Join the Movement!
As we embark on the 2025 campaign, we invite designers and stakeholders to shape the future of sustainable fashion. Let’s celebrate leather’s beauty, versatility, strength, and durability while embracing sustainability.
For more information, contact:
Press Contact: Edward Mwasi
Office Line: +245 700 000 757
Website: https://chooserealleather.com/competition/africa-competition
