Los Angeles-based designer Hommy Diaz has emerged as the winner of a competition that leather chemicals group Smit & Zoon’s organised as part of the celebration of its 200th anniversary this year.

It invited five shortlisted designers around the world to create shoes with the emphasis on longevity, using chrome-free, heavy metal-free and aldehyde-free Zeology-tanned leather from tanners working with Nera, the company Smit & Zoon set up in October 2020 to bring new tanning solutions to market.

Hommy Diaz’s winning entry was a pair of functional and fashionable slip-on sneakers that he called Home Base. He will have the opportunity to showcase the design at WHITE Milano, during the Milan Fashion Week in September.

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