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Leathersellers’ Review 2024–2025
recycled from sarees, in tribute to the city’s South Asian community. She specifically chose antelope leather for its qualities, but also its cultural sensitivity, as pig and bovine leather have the potential to conflict with certain cultural and religious beliefs. “Leicester is known for its Diwali celebration, which is one of the largest outside of India – and there are also a lot of factories. So I’ve tried to combine the beauty of the multicultural with the industrial,” explains Waterfield, who hopes to use her leatherworking skills in the bridal industry eventually. While the Surplus Leather Project might only be in its third year, it’s clearly fuelling a fresh wave of creativity and innovation in the leather designers of the future, providing a foundation of skills to foster an industry of resilience and character – much like a well-tanned hide.
2024–2025 was the third year of the Surplus Leather Project to provide donated leather to universities and colleges for use by design students across a number of disciplines. Funding of £11,000 covered the costs of administering donations, packaging and delivering 20 sets of varied leather to 18 education partners across England and Wales.
Clockwise from above: Ahmed Khider; Rita Silva; Birmingham City University students with tutor Lauren Broxton (top row, far right); Birmingham City University student Imarnie Bennett
Photography: Paul Read
Photography: Paul Read
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