Choosing leather is good for the environment and the future of the planet. This was emphasised by Christopher Koerber, Managing Director of Hugo Boss Ticino who, together with Wollacott Phillips, Head of Sustainability at Mulberry, will be on the judging panel of the new edition of Real Leather. Stay Different. That is, the international student competition organised by the LHCA (Leather & Hide Council of America) in collaboration with ArtsThread.
Leather is good for the planet
“It is vitally important to make young designers aware of the role they can play by choosing more sustainable materials and appropriate raw materials,” Koerber tells Adnkronos. The manager will join his colleague Wollacott Phillips on the judging panel of Real Leather. Stay Different along with designer Mike Adler and Emily Omesi, winner of the 2021 edition. The nomination of the new winner will take place in London on September 15.
A true commitment
Koerber continues, “For Hugo Boss, sustainability means creating innovative, high-quality products and taking responsibility for ethical corporate governance. We take responsibility for a complex global value chain and choose our suppliers and distributors very carefully. We are committed to making the company more sustainable, from start to finish”.
Raising awareness among young designers
Phillips echoes, pointing out that being on the jury is “an important opportunity to encourage the designers of the future to work with natural, sustainable and responsibly sourced leather”. After all, as Steven Sothmann of LHCA points out, “40% of leather from the meat and dairy industry ends up in landfill. Consequently, when you make a leather purchase you are aware that you are helping to reduce waste and lower CO2 emissions from landfill”.
Real Leather. Stay Different
Young designers are asked to design a garment, pair of shoes or accessory using 50% or more leather. The prize for the finalists is an all-expenses-paid trip to London during Fashion Week in September.
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