Taiwan Region Student Design Competition
2025
We are delighted to host the Taiwan Real Leather for the sixth year. Stay Different. Student Design Competition 2025, is a search for the best of Taiwan’s new designers and for those who want to promote slow style and a more sustainable future for fashion both in Taiwan and around the world. In that time, we welcomed thousands of entrants to our regional competitions and saw Taiwan’s finalists attend the international final events across Europe.
Are you ready to join the fight against fast fashion and for the planet? Time is short…. According to Greenpeace synthetics – made from oil – now make up 60% of our clothing and the average item is worn just five times. These clothes are then discarded, resulting in huge dumps, notably in Ghana and Chile, that are visible from space. It’s time to challenge the fast fashion business model and all those who say no to nature by designing beautiful, durable clothes from natural fibers that people will want to wear longer, and that will last longer.
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 high-profile judges representing brands recognized around the world are challenging you to create an original, innovative, and visually stunning design, in one of four categories of apparel, accessories, design, 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 opens on March 1, 2025, and closes on May 9, 2025. Any entries submitted after that date will not be accepted.
To enter, first create your student profile on this platform. Once your profile is registered, you can upload your entries for review. Click Sign Up or Log In to get started!
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% cowhide leather by surface area and use natural materials wherever possible. While exceptions may be made for items such as zippers, snap fasteners, the overall design will be evaluated holistically, and a comprehensive list of materials must be provided upon submission. It is important to emphasise that natural materials should be used whenever 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:
- A brief summary of your project provided in Mandarin and English
- Storyboards and design inspiration
- Sketches, flats, technical specifications, and final design (the item does not need to be physically made at this stage)
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 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 Taiwan Regional Association of Tanneries.
Organizers:
- Leather & Hide Council America
- Taiwan International Leather Association
Co-organizers:
- Taiwan Regional Association of Tanneries
Regional Sponsors:
- The Place Taipei (https://www.hotelroyal.com.tw/en-us/nangang）
THE PRIZE
Each of the four category winners will receive a trophy, a cash prize [amount to be determined by the regional organisers] and a certificate. All winners will additionally be included in Publicity including, but not limited to, social media promotion, website promotion and print and digital collateral.
The People’s Choice Award winner will receive a trophy, certificate and be included in publicity.
The overall winning design will be sampled and produced in Taiwan, to form part of a capsule collection showcasing the best international talent and unveiled at a final event hosted in November. The overall winner will be offered the opportunity to attend the International Student Design Competition final event to see their design on display [accommodation expenses will be covered by the organizers].
JUDGING PROCESS
The Competition will be judged by a panel comprised of representatives chosen by Real Leather. Stay Different. The Panel will select the category winners and Overall Winner. There will also be a People’s Choice award, selected by public vote, closing on July 30, 2025. All finalists will be notified via email by the end of May 2025, winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony on August 30, 2025.
