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Realleatherafrica

Championing creativity & conscious design. Backed by the Leather & Hide Council of America through its International Industry Sustainability Program.

13/08/2026

Owning more has never been the same as expressing more.
Meet Kamysha Martin, RLSD Africa 2026 Accessories Finalist, with NKS'D: Jazz.

Inspired by the rhythm of jazz, Kamysha transforms vegetable-tanned cowhide into a sculptural leather bag where The Bass carries The Mood. With interchangeable leather liners, one timeless design becomes countless expressions, proving that true style evolves without waste.

By blending craftsmanship, sustainability and emotional storytelling, NKS'D: Jazz embodies the RLSD vision of creating products that are Designed to Last.

This is more than a handbag. This is self-expression, designed to last.
Could NKS'D: Jazz be the collection that takes Africa to the global stage in Bangkok?

Tell us in one word: Expression. Innovation. Craftsmanship. Elegance.

12/08/2026

When heritage meets innovation, every step tells a story.

Meet Nompumelelo Marilyn Samambgwa, RLSD Africa 2026 Footwear Finalist, with Tethered Earth by Bu Kalanga.

Crafted from Zimbabwean leather, reclaimed walnut wood and intricate leather macramé, this collection transforms sustainable materials into timeless luxury. Every detail reflects African craftsmanship, proving that innovation and tradition can walk hand in hand.

By turning locally sourced and reclaimed materials into contemporary footwear, Tethered Earth embodies the RLSD vision of products that are made to last.

This is more than footwear. This is craftsmanship, designed to last.
Could Tethered Earth be the collection that takes Africa to the global stage in Bangkok?

Tell us in one word: Craftsmanship.
Sustainability. Innovation. Elegance.

11/08/2026

True strength isn't just worn, it evolves.

Meet Omosalewa Ogunjimi, RLSD Africa 2026 Apparel Finalist, with the striking collection EXUVIA.

Inspired by the human spine, ribcage and the natural process of molting, Omosalewa transforms cowhide leather into wearable structures that symbolize protection, resilience and renewal.

Through innovative modular construction, each piece is designed to adapt, evolve and endure.
By redefining leather as both structure and story, EXUVIA embodies the RLSD vision of creating products that are truly Designed to Last.

This is more than fashion. This is resilience, designed to last.
Could EXUVIA be the collection that takes Africa to the global stage in Bangkok?

Tell us in one word: Resilience. Innovation. Craftsmanship. Transformation.

07/08/2026

One designer will earn the People's Choice title. Will your favourite be one of them?

The People's Choice Award race is tighter than ever, and the race is far from over. Every vote brings a designer one step closer to the title, but time is running out. Voting closes on 30 August 2026.

Ready to support your favourite?

- Click the link in our bio.
- Find your favourite design.
- Vote and share it with your network.

The next People's Choice winner could be decided by your vote.

06/08/2026

Great products aren't born, they're built.

Every exceptional leather product begins as a rough idea. Through prototyping, testing, refining, and starting again, good designs become outstanding ones.

The difference between a good product and an award-winning one isn't just talent, it's the commitment to improve, one iteration at a time.
Before you call it finished, ask yourself: Can it be even better?
Prototype. Refine. Repeat.

Because people don't remember the first sketch, they remember the masterpiece.

05/08/2026

Precision is never accidental. Symmetry is often the silent signature of exceptional craftsmanship.

Every aligned strap, centred buckle, and balanced panel reflects discipline, attention to detail, and respect for the craft.
Most customers will never measure these details or consciously analyse them. Yet together, they shape how a product feels refined, trustworthy and beautifully made.

Take the extra minute. Perfect the details.
Because excellence lives in the millimetres.

04/08/2026

Luxury thrives where creativity resists imitation. In leather product development, the stitch is more than a detail, it is the signature of quality, precision, and artistry. A perfect stitch can transform a product from a simple accessory into a statement of elegance, revealing the care behind every line and curve. True rarity is not defined by scarcity alone, but by imagination brought to life through the kind of stitching others would not dare to attempt. Dare to be rare. Let your stitches set the standard for timeless style.

03/08/2026

The first judgement of your product isn't about craftsmanship.

It's about colour.

Before a customer feels the leather, examines the stitching or notices the finishing, they have already begun forming expectations. Is this product premium? Contemporary? Timeless? Trustworthy? Bold?

Research by Yu, Westland, Li and Chen (2021) found that colour associations play a significant role in shaping consumers' perceptions of products and influencing their purchase decisions.

For leather designers, colour isn't simply an aesthetic choice. It's a strategic design decision.
It determines whether a product whispers quiet luxury, commands attention or disappears into the crowd. The right shade doesn't simply complement good design; it elevates perceived quality, reinforces brand identity and strengthens the story the product tells.

Craftsmanship builds loyalty.

But colour captures attention first.

Question: Before your customer experiences the craftsmanship, what story is your product's colour already telling?

31/07/2026

1 month to Go!
One award.
One winner.
Your vote.

The People's Choice Award is still up for grabs, and the power to decide the winner is in your hands.

Support your favourite design.
Back your favourite designer.

Vote now through the link in our bio before time runs out.

Address

Nairobi
00100

Website

https://rlsd.internationaldesigncomp.com/projects/?college=-1&competition&competition_event=3102&filter=1

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