Students’ skills in leathercraft - from producing innovative design concepts to showcasing their technical expertise - were praised by judges who visited De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
Representatives of the Leathersellers came to campus to see the finalists of this year’s Design Awards, which select the crème de la crème of artisan designers.
The Leathersellers, a 600-year-old organisation in the City of London, was originally founded to regulate the leather trade in the City of London and support the training and welfare of those working within it.
Chair of the Leathersellers’ Leather Trade Committee, Alistair Tusting, and bespoke leather craftsman Charles Laurie had a tough task looking at 11 shortlisted students who each presented their designs as well as the inspirations behind them in portfolios which took them through their process.
Alistair said: “Charlie and I thought the overall standard was the best we have ever seen. The variety and quality of the work on display has been incredible and it was just super to see each student trying such different things.”
The winner was Fashion Design student Samantha Gillett-Jones, whose collection was inspired by growing up transgender. Using techniques including embossing, “stapling” materials together and gilding, her strong look impressed the judging panel.
“The designs have a serious point as well as a more fun side,” she explained. “Some of the work is based on Victorian mourning wear, saying goodbye to myself as a child, and thinking about how parents feel – almost ‘mourning’ their old child but accepting their new identity.
“The designs play on the surgeries and the idea of them being both brutal, but also creating something beautiful. I’m really happy with the way they turned out.
“Winning feels…I still can’t believe it. I just feel very, very happy and I’m really glad all the work has paid off. I think everyone has produced beautiful work.”
Few of the finalists have worked with leather before Associate Professor Gillian Proctor contacted them with details of DMU’s leather school which has been created to teach traditional techniques and pass on craftsmanship skills.
“If it wasn’t for that workshop I wouldn’t be there today,” said Samantha. “It was never something I thought about, but then I did the class and it was so much fun I wanted to learn as much as I could. I am definitely going to continue working with leather.”
The Three main winners and one of the highly commended students are all ‘Artifactors’ currently working on the ‘Artifacts 2: Leather & Lace’ project, (whose exhibition is scheduled for January 2026). This follows the global success of ‘Artifacts Live: A Legacy in Leather,’ developed and curated by Ms Proctor, and has seen students’ work showcased around the world, online and in a special exhibition here at DMU aims to devise contemporary design/product and material development solutions inspired by heritage collections, specifically, the Leathercraft Trust. It is run in conjunction with the Leathersellers.
Runner-up was Vanessa Bimbova, another Fashion Design student, who was awarded £1,500. Her collection was inspired by bridal traditions in her home country of Slovakia. Once it hits midnight, the bride changes into a red dress, and all the guests pin money to it, so red symbolises good luck and prosperity.
She said: “I have never worked with leather before now and it was through leather school that I got into it. I loved it and signed up for everything I could, doing gilding and making flowers from leather and honestly, I don’t think I would design without it now.”
The winners were:
First prize: Samantha Gillett-Jones, Fashion Design, who won £2,000
First runner up: Vanessa Bimbova, Fashion Design, Who won £1,500
Second runner up: Lingling Fei, Masters, who won £1,000
Highly commended: Michael Genao (Fashion Design), Alice Crawford (Fashion Textile Design) and Heidi Walmsley (Footwear). Each receive £500.
The Artifacts Live project was launched in January 2023 with DMU’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities working with the Museum of Leathercraft and the university’s archives team and professional designers to create the exhibition.
Posted on Tuesday 15 July 2025