< Back to all competitions 20232022

Nordic Region Student Design Competition

2023


We are delighted for the second year to host the Nordic Region Real Leather. Stay Different. Student Design Competition 2023, a search for the best of the Nordics new designers and for those who want to promote slow style and a more sustainable future for fashion.

Are you concerned about fast throwaway fashion and unsustainable materials? According to Greenpeace, synthetics – made using petrochemicals from the oil industry – now make up 60% of our clothing. These clothes not only take hundreds of years to biodegrade but are often cheap and poorly made. The result — nearly one billion items of clothing, each typically worn just five times — are thrown away every year.

In the meantime, leather, a natural by-product of the dairy and meat industries and our growing demand for food — from burgers to milkshakes, can be used to make items that last a lifetime and, when disposed of, biodegrade quickly. Leather is a perfect solution to one of fashion’s biggest problems, but each year almost half of the world’s cattle hides are just thrown away.

To encourage thinking about our planet’s future and to combat this waste, our judges challenge you to create an original, innovative, and visually stunning design, in one of three categories of apparel, accessories or footwear made from real cattle leather. They would also like to see how entrants approach creating garments that will not only last, but be loved, for a lifetime.

The competition, run with our partners at Arts Thread, opens March 15 2023, and closes on June 30 2023, midnight BST. Any entries submitted after that date will not be accepted.

THE BRIEF & DELIVERABLES

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.

THE PRIZE

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.

THE JUDGES

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.

Braided bag

Jaana Korvensivu

LAB university of Applied Sciences

Fashion Design BFA

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Accessories

On the go

Silja Setälä

Nordic Region

Textile Design BFA

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Accessories

Lantern Bag – a bag for celebration

Kris Li

Nordic Region

Textile Design BFA

Competitions: Nordic Region

Accessories

Saddleback: Laukka

Ami Juusela

Nordic Region

Textile Design BFA

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Accessories

Tessellation upcycled leather jacket

Aida Matuseviciute

Aalto University

Fashion Design MFA

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Apparel

PDFE – Puffer Design For Everybody

Josefiina Hiden

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Textile Design BFA

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Apparel

sculptural wearables

Hilda Landström Ferm

Beckmans College of Design Stockholm

Fashion Design BFA

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Apparel

An ode to the core memories

Emese Fedor

VIA University College

Fashion Design BFA

Competitions: International, Nordic Region

Apparel

Cocoon

Eeva Räsänen

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Textile Design BFA

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Apparel

the devil's new skin_ Pinja Antikainen

pinja antikainen

LAB university of Applied Sciences

wearable design

Competitions: Nordic Region

Apparel

PALASET- 3D patchwork consept

Juulia Ikonen

Metropolia University of applied sciences

Textile Design BFA

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Accessories

Salmiakki cocktail dress

Tiina Hyvari

Metropolia University of applied Sciences

Textile Design BFA

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Apparel

Fragile Future

Hannu Viitala

Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)

Smart and sustainable design, bachelor of culture and arts

Competitions: Nordic Region, International

Footwear

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.