The Leather and Hide Council of America (L&HCA) and the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) have announced the commencement of Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2025.
Now in its third, the Real Leather. Stay Different. 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 and 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.
Competition(chooserealleather.com/competition/africa-competition/) started on March 3, 2025, and the final showcase will take place in December 2025.
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.
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 recognising and rewarding innovation, it serves as a launch-pad for designers to build their careers and their 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.
“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: prioritise sustainability, amplify our industry’s voice and foster value creation to ensure long-term growth and impact.” Kerry Brozyna, President, Leather and 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).
RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase ‘25 is now open for entries. Here is what you need to know:
• Registration: Opened on 3rd March, 2025.
• Categories: Apparel, Accessories, and Footwear.
• Design submission: Opens on 3rd March, 2025.
• Design submission: 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 the physical product: This will run from 4th July, 2025, until 6th August, 2025.
• Material Requirements: Entries must be at least 50% cowhide leather by surface area and use natural materials wherever possible. While exceptions may be made for items such as zippers and snap fasteners, the overall design will be evaluated holistically, and a list of materials must be provided with submissions. It is important to emphasise that natural materials should be used whenever possible. Please note that the use of fur or exotic skins is strictly prohibited.
• RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2025: Scheduled for December 2025 (venue and date to be confirmed), with the possibility of a digital showcase should travel restrictions apply.
Highlights of RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024
The 2024 edition of the Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase, held alongside the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was a remarkable display of Africa’s talent.
- Ethiopia’s Ruth Girmay emerged as the Most Commendable Designer 2024, winning over the judges with her Overfishing Bag, a marine conservation-inspired accessory that seamlessly blended purpose with style.
- In the apparel category, Eddie Louis from Uganda captivated audiences with his Contemporary Leather Armour Collection, a bold fusion of heritage and modernity.
- Zimbabwe’s Nompumelelo Marilyn Samambgwa paid homage to nature through her Amaluba Collection, a footwear line inspired by floral elements.
- Kenya’s Stephen Maosa claimed the People’s Choice Award with his Transformable Travel Bag, a testament to sustainable design, crafted using upcycled denim and leather.
ABOUT REAL LEATHER. STAY DIFFERENT.
Real Leather. Stay Different. is a global campaign that has reached some 750 million people around the globe. It makes the case for leather and other natural materials and for making the best use of society’s waste, particularly the hides that are by-products of the dairy and meat industries, before looking to the petrochemical industries for manmade materials.
www.chooserealleather.com is a place for inspiration, information, and creativity with contributors ranging from craftspeople to designers, stylists and photographers to retailers, discussing leather and debating the future of fashion and sustainability.
rlsd.internationaldesigncomp.com is the official Real Leather. Stay Different. competition platform, hosting an ever-growing number of competitions around the world as it works to move the fashion agenda forward.
ABOUT LEATHER AND HIDE COUNCIL OF AMERICA (LHCA).
The Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA) is the driving force behind the U.S. leather industry, committed to promoting the quality, sustainability and traceability of U.S.-sourced leather. Established in 2020 through the merger of two historic industry associations—United States Hide, Skin and Leather Association (founded in 1979) and Leather Industries of America (founded in 1917)—LHCA represents approximately 75 member companies and serves as a vital advocate for the leather supply chain.
LHCA offers comprehensive services, including government relations, public relations, and trade assistance, with a mission to protect and grow a strong and sustainable global market for leather. By collaborating with key stakeholders, including the USDA, the council actively works to develop new markets for agricultural exports and ensures that leather remains a premium material of choice.
A champion of sustainability and innovation, LHCA drives best practice in ethical production, educates stakeholders on technical advancements and fosters global partnerships to secure the industry’s future. The council also supports regional events and initiatives, providing critical insights and resources to promote leather’s enduring value in fashion and beyond.
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 the leather and leather products value chain across Africa. Headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ALLPI serves as a hub for innovation, research and policy advocacy to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability.
The institute provides technical support, capacity building and technology transfer to member states, empowering SMEs and fostering value addition. ALLPI champions environmental sustainability, promotes regional trade harmonization and strengthens integration through collaboration with stakeholders across the continent.
By addressing key challenges and unlocking opportunities in the leather industry, ALLPI contributes to job creation, economic growth and Africa’s global competitiveness. Its work aligns with Africa’s vision for industrialisation and sustainable development, positioning leather as a key pillar for regional transformation.
