KAMPALA — Farida Eid of Egypt has been crowned Most Commendable Designer 2025 by the Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase, becoming the first non-Ethiopian to win the prestigious award.
Eid’s winning design, the Zahw – Serpent Sandal, is a striking fusion of ancient symbolism and modern luxury. Crafted from purple cowhide leather and adorned with intricate copper serpent motifs, the sandal revives a historic Egyptian emblem of sovereignty and divine authority for today’s fashion world.
The judges praised the Zahw Sandal as a powerful example of leather’s beauty, versatility, durability, and sustainability. They highlighted its authenticity, rooted in cultural heritage; innovation, through skilled copperwork; and commercial potential.
“Farida’s Zahw Sandal is not only a powerful demonstration of leather’s qualities but also a bold reminder that our heritage can define the future of fashion. We are proud to see her carry Africa’s story onto the global stage,” said Beatrice Mwasi, Team Lead for the RLSD Africa Showcase.
A graduate of a design program in Milan, Eid described her award as both a personal milestone and a platform to elevate African creativity globally.
“This title is not only a celebration of my work but also a call to champion leather’s beauty, versatility, durability, and sustainability — and to show the world the strength of African creativity,” she said.
As the RLSD Africa Champion, Eid will represent the continent at the International RLSD Showcase in Taipei, Taiwan, on October 27–28, 2025. She will also showcase her work at the Continental Showcase in Lusaka, Zambia, later this year.
Now in its third year, the RLSD Africa Showcase has become a key platform for emerging African designers. This year’s edition received hundreds of entries, with 116 submissions meeting the stringent criteria for originality, craftsmanship, and sustainability. From these, 15 finalists were selected to create prototypes and present them to an international panel of experts.
About RLSD Africa
The RLSD Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase is a pan-African competition that promotes leather as a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. Now in its third year in Africa and fifth globally, it forms part of a global campaign by the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA), implemented with ALLPI and coordinated by CBiT.
The initiative supports slow fashion, celebrates African design talent, and educates creatives about leather’s eco-friendly value. RLSD Africa empowers emerging designers with global exposure, mentorship, and opportunities to shape the future of ethical, sustainable fashion.
