Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024: A Milestone Event in African Leather Fashion
The Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024 is set to crown the best of Africa’s leather design talent while spotlighting the continent’s thriving leather industry and commitment to sustainable fashion. This landmark event, to be held alongside the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW), presents the creative vision of 14 exceptional designers, each selected for their transformative use of leather. With a strong focus on innovation, ethical design, and slow fashion principles, the showcase embodies the RLSD campaign’s dedication to redefining fashion’s environmental footprint. By supporting Africa’s leather designers and nurturing young creatives, the
event aims to build a sustainable future for fashion while celebrating the creativeness and potential of
Africa’s leather design on a global stage.
Themed “Redefining Fashion’s Environmental Footprint,” this year’s showcase highlights leather as a sustainable material choice, emphasizing its role as an eco-friendly by-product of the meat industry.
Real Leather. Stay Different. promotes slow fashion, advocating for the use of materials that are durable, versatile, and sustainable. The showcase aims to shift the fashion industry towards
environmentally conscious practices by showcasing leather’s longevity and adaptability.
Among the dignitaries at the event will be Kerry Brozyna, President of the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA), who champions leather as a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials:
“Not only does plastic get thrown away very quickly in all of our closets, it also goes into the ground and lasts forever. Leather, as a by-product of the dairy and meat industries,
offers a sustainable alternative to synthetics. Leather is long-lasting. It’s durable. It’s beautiful. And as we’ve seen, it has been around for thousands of years. So, join us and
help us fight for leather.” – Kerry Brozyna, President of the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA), Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director of the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), highlights the economic and sustainable impact of Africa’s leather industry in the mission to redefine
fashion’s environmental footprint:
“The leather industry has long supported our economies, providing livelihoods, fostering innovation, and driving the growth and development of our nations. We must
acknowledge that we are at a crossroads—faced with both formidable challenges and unprecedented opportunities. By adding value to our leather products, we can create
more income, empower future generations, and ensure that Africa’s leather industry continues to lead in redefining fashion’s environmental footprint. This is what the Real
Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024 is all about—giving our designers the opportunity to showcase their talents and transform the future of
fashion.” – Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director of the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI)
KEY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
The Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024 will present a lineup of events over several days, highlighting Africa’s talent in sustainable leather fashion:
November 8-11, 2024 The 14 finalists of the Real Leather. Stay Different. Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024 will exhibit their leather designs from November 8th to 11th at the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Over these four days, attendees will have the chance to explore unique creations across Apparel, Accessories, and Footwear, each piece highlighting the versatility and sustainability of leather in fashion.
Saturday, November 9, 2024
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Panel Discussion – “Slow Fashion vs. Fast Fashion: The Role of Leather in Creating Sustainable Fashion.” Featuring prominent figures from the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) and the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), this discussion will emphasize leather’s sustainability—a core theme of the RLSD showcase.
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Special Presentation on RLSD Africa Design Showcase by ALLPI, focusing on the showcase’s mission to nurture sustainable leather design talent across Africa, underlining the
industry’s importance to the continent’s economic development.
Sunday, November 10, 2024
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: RLSD Special Fashion Show – The main event where the 14 RLSD finalists will present their sustainable leather designs across Apparel, Accessories, and Footwear categories. The event will conclude with a Recognition of Talent awards ceremony celebrating standout designers across each category. The audience-selected People’s Choice Award will be announced, highlighting the designer who has captured the public’s admiration. This event will also mark the signing of an MOU between the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) and the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI).
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