Profile: OMER CARMELI – Real Leather Design Competitions

OMER CARMELI

Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art

My name is Omer Carmeli, I’m 25 years old and a fourth-year fashion design student at Shenkar College in Israel. I spent my childhood in an unconventional environment — a zoo, where my mother worked as the head of the education department. From a young age, I was deeply influenced by the natural world, which shaped my awareness of the relationship between humans and the environment, as well as the impact and meaning behind our patterns of consumption. My hobbies include traveling the world, in cities and nature and learning more about my surroundings, animals, materials, people and cultures. My design style focuses on clean, refined lines alongside in-depth exploration of materials and textures. I strive to create garments with a timeless and classic aesthetic — pieces that speak softly yet carry a strong presence. Each item I design is developed with care and intention, aiming to give it a distinct character, durability, and long-term value — something that becomes a lasting part of a wardrobe rather than a passing trend. My approach to design is based on a broad view of sustainability — one that goes beyond recycling or responsible consumption. I believe true sustainability happens when people connect emotionally to the items they wear, understand their story and the challenges behind transforming raw materials into something meaningful. This is why I aim to create timeless garments that spark curiosity and desire in the wearer. In my work, I explore natural textures and materials, with a focus on innovative material development. I use genuine leather that is a by-product of the food industry, as part of my commitment to creating fashion that is high-quality, ethical, and mindful. I believe that by combining exceptional materials with careful craftsmanship and deep thought about the product’s lifecycle and purpose, we can create garments that are both beautiful and meaningful. For me, fashion is a way to express a deep, organic connection with the world around us. I strive to design clothing that is not only visually appealing or trend-driven, but also carries values, meaning, and a sense of belonging to nature and to something greater. Through my work, I invite viewers and wearers to reconsider how they perceive fashion — to see it as an opportunity for real change: to stay different, stay conscious, and help shape a better world.

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Abstract Depleted Terrain

Category: Apparel

Competitions: International

"Abstract Depleted Terrain" is my graduation project, composed of a collection of five womenswear outfits developed as part of my studies at the Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art, in the Department of Fashion Design. The project explores the complex relationships between nature and industry, beauty and destruction, using landscapes as a visual platform for emotion and critique. The inspiration emerged from the works of artist Edward Burtynsky, whose photography documents processes of mining, extraction, and the erosion of natural resources. His aerial images reveal scarred terrains and visuals that resemble abstract paintings – beautiful and violent at the same time. Through documenting environmental harm, they raise pressing questions about the cost of progress and humanity’s responsibility toward the world it inhabits. The collection also draws on the sculptural work of Richard Serra – massive, rusted steel structures that embody the physical and emotional force of industry within human spaces. Their presence – uncomfortable, heavy, and charged – inspired the shapes, textures, and material choices of the garments. At the heart of the work was a desire to re-explore raw materials – among them, leather. As an animal-derived material, leather is deeply rooted in the tradition of fashion design, yet it also ignites critical discussions about ethics, sustainability, and resource use. In this project, real leather is used as part of a broader system of natural materials, chosen for its durability, quality, material potential, and a mindful approach to its use. The leather underwent handcraft treatments that merged its natural rawness with an industrial aesthetic, evoking a rust-like texture. The featured outfit addresses the theme of waste accumulation – compressed, valueless materials returned to nature. These are products that are repeatedly compacted into cubes to try cope with the endless volumes of waste we discard back into the environment. That same environment, already deeply harmed by relentless resource extraction, continues to suffer. The garment’s structure conveys weight, erosion, and ultimately compression – representing what will take years to disappear, a kind of "residue" discarded into the wounded landscape. The project aims to create thoughtful, high-quality fashion that remains connected to the world from which it emerges – offering a sense of luxury not through abundance, but through intent. A collection that confronts questions of ethics, aesthetics, responsibility, and mindful resource use – especially leather, an ancient yet vital material that offers a path toward renewed connection between humans, material, and nature.