Winners selected for Taiwan’s ‘Real Leather, Stay Different’ competition
The winners of Taiwan’s Real Leather, Stay Different student design competition, organised by the US-based Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) in partnership with Taiwan International Leather Association (TILA), have been announced at an awards ceremony in Taipei.
Representatives from the leather and fashion industries, local brands and retailers, media, and government representatives, as well as students and educators from participating schools attended the ceremony.
Real Leather, Stay Different is a campaign launched by the LHCA that celebrates all that is great about leather – sustainability, versatility, durability and beauty.
Twenty-four student designs were selected for gold, silver and bronze places in each of the four categories: garments, footwear, accessories and design.
Gold winners are:
• Footwear: Cecilia Stefany, Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising from Shih Chien University
• Garment: LAI, TSUI-YU, Shih Chien Fashion Department
• Accessories: LIN, TING YU, Department of Industrial Design Shin Chien University
• Design: HSIAO,YI-TZU, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Institute of Applied Arts
Richard Pai, honorary chairman of TILA, said: “The competition is a platform for creators and a key initiative to promote sustainability and leather design. It is our hope to welcome more people into the field."
Stephen Sothmann, president of LCHA, said: “It was unfortunate that I was not able to attend the awards ceremony in person due to travel restrictions related to the pandemic. However, I am strongly encouraged by the creativity and passion for leather the Taiwanese students demonstrated. We hope more students and young designers continue to use leather to promote its beauty, versatility and sustainability.”
