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A graduate named one of Britain’s best new innovative designers has now won international acclaim.

Ana Del Rio Mullarkey was named joint winner of the Real Leather: Stay Different International Student Design Competition in fashion capital Milan, sharing the award with Tamar Elbaz, a fashion design student from Tel Aviv.




Ana, who graduated this year in Fashion Design at Â鶹ӰԺ Leicester (Â鶹ӰԺ), works with leather and is passionate about creating sustainable designs. She was named winner of the Fasion Innovation Award at Graduate Fashion Week and the Leathersellers’ Design Award 2023.

It is the first time that the prize has been awarded jointly. Judge Christopher Koerber, Managing Director, HUGO BOSS Ticino, said: "The designers of tomorrow bear the responsibility to lead the fashion world towards sustainability while still captivating audiences with innovative designs.

“Today, we saw that future come to life with two entries that stood out. Both Tamar and Ana’s work exemplified this ideal, showcasing a harmonious blend of sustainability and creativity.”

Ana was recognised for her collection called El Domingo, which offered the judges an outstanding hand-crafted design which drew inspiration from her Madrid upbringing.

She presented a vision for the future of leather - delivering singular pieces that last, and are loved, for a lifetime and more.
 
Ana said: “I am so happy that the people voted for me and that the judges recognised my enthusiasm for developing a more sustainable fashion future - and my absolute passion for using craft and innovation to create those items that people want, love and cherish –for a lifetime or more. It is a huge thrill to be awarded this prize with Tamar. Hopefully this marks the start of a leather revolution.”



The award was presented by Carlo Capasa, President of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion.

Co-Chair of the Judges and Vice President of Wolverine Worldwide, Kerry Brozyna, said: "It's imperative we continually reassess our material choices and production methods. With leather a by-product of the food industry, the decision becomes clear.

“As we tap into land resources for sustenance, it's our duty to utilise the by-products efficiently. Before resorting to fossil fuel derivatives, the focus should be on natural, enduring and eco-friendly materials."

The awards, held with Lineapelle, UNIC, Arts Thread and the Institute of Digital Fashion featured four finalists, each an individual category winner-Tamar Elbaz (apparel winner, Shenkar College of Design, Engineering, and Art); Alida Xavier (accessories winner, Instituto Marangoni); Sara Veneziano (footwear winner, Accademia Costume & Moda) and Ana Del Rio Mullarkey (Peoples’ Choice, Â鶹ӰԺ).

They competed head-to-head with presentations and panel interviews to be crowned the overall international winner.

The full judging panel was Christopher Koerber, Managing Director, HUGO BOSS Ticini; Paola Arosio,Head of New Brands & Sustainability Projects at Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana; Gal Benjamin, the 2022 RLSD international winner; Leanne Elliott Young and Cattytay, Co-Founders of the Institute of Digital Fashion and Mike Adler, Style & Fashion Director.

Real Leather. Stay Different. is a global campaign that has reached some 750 million people and hundreds of thousands of students. It makes the case for leather (and other natural materials) and for making the best use of society’s waste, particularly the hides that are the by-products of the dairy and meat industries, before looking to the petrochemical industries for man-made materials.    

Since earlier this year Ana has been part of Â鶹ӰԺ teamed up with the Museum of Leathercraft which loaned historic items from its archives to inspire students to create new work.