The Philippines 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 Philippine natural materials ( i.e. local or indigenous) 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. Sketches, flats, technical specifications, and final design (the item does not need to be physically made at this stage).
3. 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.

A shortlist of the best entries will be presented to the judges, and the finalists will be asked to create their designs for the final judging element. The materials will be provided by The Tannery Association of the Philippines.

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

The Overall Winner, chosen from the three category winners by a panel of judges, will have their entry professionally made and it will form part of a capsule collection showcasing the best international talent and unveiled at an event hosted in Europe in October 2023.

Additional prizes may be announced at a later date.

Sponsors include but not limited to Chelsi Leather & Services, GIBI Shoes, Zapateria, The Tannery Manila, Philippine Fashion Coalition

Ms. Mary Lazaro,  President of the Tanners Association of the Philippines.

Ms. Unyx Sta. Ana, Founder and President of Zapateria, a 5th generation shoemakers based in Marikina City, the shoe capital of the Philippines.

Mr. Julius Leano, Director of Philippine’s Textile Research Institute (PTRI), The PTRI is part of Department of Science & Technology (DOST).

Ms. Lilian Salonga, Director of the Competitiveness Bureau within the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI).

Mr. Albert Andrada, world-renowned Filipino Fashion Designer.

Ms. Amina Aranaz Alunan, talented fashion accessory designer and co-founder of SOFA Institute (School of Fashion and Arts).

Mr. Carlos Delantar, Consultant for the Sustainability Solutions Exchange.