Nordic Region Student Design Competition

You are asked to use leather as the inspiration for a single item, either clothing, shoes, or accessories. Entries must be at least 50% cattle hide leather and any other materials used must be natural or organic materials where possible. We do not accept the use of fur or exotic skins. Plastics must only be used where no natural alternatives are available. We would like your piece to capture one or more of the facets of leather, from beauty and versatility to strength and durability.

Entries should include the following elements:

1. A brief summary of your project provided in English.
2. Storyboards and design inspiration.
3. Sketches, flats, technical specifications, and final design (the item does not need to be physically made at this stage)
4. A short two-minute video to introduce you and your design.  This is optional but encouraged, as it brings life to your project.

Please give consideration to ease of recycling, reuse and disposal at the end of the product’s life, and also think about the practicalities of commercial production, as we are looking for designers who will start new brands, fashion movements or slow-style trends.

Each of the three category winners will receive a trophy, certificate and Coffee Table Book covering the competition and including their entry. 

The overall winner will be chosen from three categories, their design will be professionally made, and form part of a capsule collection showcasing the best international talent and unveiled at an event hosted in Europe in October 2023. 

Additional prizes to be announced at a later date.

Jörg Horcher started his journey at Hugo Boss back in 2007 joining the Eastern Europe wholesale team based in Zug, Switzerland. During his six years there, he was fortunate to have worked across all brands, genders and lines which gave him profound product knowledge.

In 2013 he was appointed as Wholesale and Business Development Director in Moscow. This was a brand new subsidiary where he got to work alongside a newly created local team. Jörg spent eight years in Moscow before progressing to Managing Director of the Northern Hub, where he is now working with his team to successfully execute their Claim 5 strategy whilst delivering excellent growth.

Helena Waker is CEO of Stockholm Fashion District & Association of Trade Partners Sweden – an international business network with strong roots in fashion and design. The members include agents, distributors, designers, importers and suppliers. The organisation has over 100 years of experience in national and international trade, as well as establishing collaborations with business networks, organisations and government. Trade Partners Sweden is the founder and operator of Stockholm Fashion District. 

Emilia Utbult-Karlsson is a Swedish fashion designer that graduated Beckmans College of Design in 2020. She was the Overall and Apparel Category Winner of the RLSD 2022 Nordic Region Student Design Competition. Her goal is to work sustainable oriented in an experimental and playful way in her design practice.