Six Kenyans among fifteen finalists in real leather competition

 

Stay Different Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024.

Six Kenyan leather designers have been named finalists in the Real Leather. Stay Different Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024.

The designers who represent different categories including footwear, accessories and apparel were part of small and medium size enterprises that showcased their creation during the event held last month in Nairobi.

The Real Leather. Stay Different campaign organized by the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) and the African Leather and Leather Products Institute and is ccoordinated in Africa by the Center for Business Innovation and Training (CBIT) celebrates the best of Africa’s leather industry.

“This year, we saw an overwhelming number of entries, an indication that Africa is rising and its creative talents are being recognised globally. The passion and ingenuity displayed by these designers showcase the boundless potential of Africa’s leather industry,” said Beatrice Mwasi, Managing Director of CBIT.

The designers were selected based on designs that exemplify Individuality, Conceptualisation, Relevance, Sustainability and Commerciality.

The six Kenyans include George Otieno, Muna Elmi, Gideon Munyao, Raymond Shikuku, Angela Ndonga and Peter Kinyanjui. Others include Ruth Girmay, Stephen Maosa, Biniyam Solomon Bekele, Nompumelelo Marilyn Samambgwa, Paulina Mokhothu, Tokuma Sime Tola, Zeyin Mohammed and Andrew Chihungu.

The campaign targets to foster sustainable fashion practices, honouring Africa’s leather design, and elevating its designers to a global scale.

It promotes the use of natural materials, advocates for slow fashion, and supports the growth of sustainable design across the continent. This is part of the international Real Leather. Stay Different. campaign which has reached an audience of 100s of millions of designers across the world.

Winners in each category will be announced in Ethiopia later on this month.

By Ronald Owili