‘Real Leather. Stay Different.’ Design Competition Kicks Off in Taiwan

Global competition celebrates the versatility, beauty and sustainability of U.S. hides and leather

Washington, DC, December 2, 2019 – “Real Leather. Stay Different.,” the worldwide campaign that celebrates the versatility, beauty and sustainability of U.S. leather, announced the launch of its first-ever Global Design Competition in Taiwan.  The competition, which is co-organized by the U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association (USHSLA) and Taiwan Leather Industry Association (TLIA), will provide an exciting forum for design students from prestigious Taiwanese design universities to develop and produce trend-setting, inventive and inspiring leather consumer products. 

Design students participating in the competition will feature U.S. hides and leather in their designs across several categories: apparel, bags, footwear and fashion accessories.  Leather can be used exclusively or in combination with other natural materials suggested by contestants, but must be the principal material of the final good produced.  

Fifteen well-respected Taiwanese design universities have agreed to participate in the competition: National Taiwan Normal University, National Taiwan University of Arts, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University, National Taipei University of Education, Fu Jen Catholic University, Shih Chien University, Chung Yuan Christian University, Asia University, National Taipei University of Business, Taiwan University of Technology, Feng Chia University, Lee-Ming Institute of Technology, Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, Takming University of Science and Technology.  Contestants are encouraged to create unique, compelling designs that promote the use of leather now and in the future, to set global trends for style-conscious fashion consumers.     

The competition will take place in two phases. First, designers will submit sketches from mid-November 2019 through February 2020, after which designers will be selected by a judge panel comprised of local leather experts and fashion designers.  During the second stage of competition, scheduled to take place March – early May 2020, selected contestants will make real leather product samples based on their design submissions.   

Winners will be honored at an award ceremony hosted by USHSLA and TLIA at Taipei 101 during the last week of May 2020.  In addition to receiving Certificates of Excellence, cash awards and attendance at the award ceremony, winners will receive exclusive training opportunities in the U.S. in July/August 2020, sponsored by USHSLA.

USHSLA will engage a local public relations team to capture the progress of the competition.  Photos, interviews and videos detailing the progress of the competition will be featured on the “Real Leather. Stay Different.” Facebook page, at https://chooserealleather.com/ and on the USHSLA website.

About USHSLA

USHSLA is a full-service industry trade organization promoting the interests of the U.S. hides, skins, and wet blue leather products industry.  Founded in 1979, the association provides its members with government, public relations, and international trade assistance and support. USHSLA is a cooperator organization under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s foreign market development programs, with a primary mission to promote the export of these agricultural products to the global leather and leather products industry.