The project offers designers the unique opportunity to create leather fashion goods using new leathers provided by leading tanneries. What’s more, designers will have the chance to display their in upcoming APLF Leather fairs.
Leather
Exhibitors
Designers
L.E.D. Project designers will enjoy commercial exposure in the APLF Leather and Fashion Access fairs.
APLF Edition Handbags will be displayed at APLF Hong Kong 2025.
LED Project 3 is sponsored by the Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather Consortium.
This Season, LED Project has invited six talented designers from China, Vietnam, Japan and Pakistan to collaborate on creating their APLF edition handbags, using vegetable-tanned leather from Tuscany. Discover the APLF Edition Handbags as part of the LED Project at APLF 2025, taking place in Hong Kong from 12-14 March, 2025.
Product Exhibiting Area: Hall 3F – F18
Sharing Session
Date:12 March 2025
Time: 16:00 – 16:45
Location: Main Stage, Hall 3G, 3G-D20
Speaker: Barbara Mannucci – Director of the Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather Consortium x 6 Designers
Aleena Mughal
Pakistan
Meet Aleena, founder of SAAZ—a boutique shoe brand renowned for its distinctive fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.
A graduate of the National College of Arts with a degree in Architecture, Aleena channels her passion for precision and creativity into crafting footwear that is both innovative and functional.
SAAZ is celebrated for its meticulous attention to detail, sustainability, and dedication to comfort. Known for handwoven leather-thong huaraches, the brand beautifully harmonizes artisanal heritage with modern global aesthetics. The leather-thong design molds uniquely to each wearer’s feet, offering unparalleled personalization. Every pair of SAAZ tells a story, reflecting the individuality of its owner while redefining “Made in Pakistan” as a hallmark of quality and creativity.
Jiangxi
China
The high-end boutique accessory brand founded by renowned independent designer Jiangxi is named after her. It embodies a blend of Eastern and Western aesthetic sensibilities and represents contemporary Eastern aesthetics.
Jiangxi’s works have been featured in prominent media outlets such as VOGUE, BAZAAR, Marie Claire, WALLPAPER, IDEAPELLE, and CCTV, and have graced the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival alongside movie stars.
Chau Tran
Vietnam
The founder of Chautfifth, Chau, took an unconventional path into the fashion industry. With a background in Sales & Marketing at corporation, she had no formal training in fashion but always had a deep love for art and design. She saw a market gap in handbags—where local brands lacked newness. She took a leap, leaving her corporate job to focus entirely on Chautfifth. Rooted in the idea of “being in the middle of something”—embracing something functional yet creative—the brand continuously surprises customers with fresh designs. For its “newness” positioning, Chautfifth has quickly gained traction, achieving fast growth, attracting not only local but also overseas fashion lovers.
Luu Viet Anh
Vietnam
Luu Viet Anh- the founder of LUU VIETANH. His exposure to the world of fashion came at an early age. Since he was twelve, he had taken part in various fashion competitions. Then he earned the scholarship from London College for Design & Fashion for a 2-year course majoring in Fashion Design. After graduated as a distinction degree, he has built up his own designer brand- LUU VIETANH- which is specialized in designer bag along with a mission bringing Vietnamese culture to the world through every of his designed bags.
Masako Kubo
Japan
CRAFSTO, a Japanese fashion accessory brand, offers products that can be enjoyed regardless of the wearer’s gender.
We place great importance on “future-oriented craftsmanship” that does not sacrifice the future of people or nature in the materials or production
process.
The idea is to create products that are complete only when they are worn by someone, and to find beauty in the resonance that exists between people, things, and spaces.
We inherit traditional craftsmanship methods and sublimate standard items into new creations with a modern style.
OOKONN
Hong Kong
Founded by a design-driven team, embodies a youthful, rebellious spirit through its fun, innovative designs. Quickly becoming a favorite among stylish travelers and celebrities, OOKONN is available online and featured at prestigious retailers. Inspired by global influences, OOKONN caters to discerning travelers seeking unique pieces,
fueled by a rebellious undercurrent. The brand strives to create exquisite objects that surprise, inspire, and evoke emotion. Using only the finest materials, OOKONN allows customers to personalize their luggage with various combinations for the body, covers, handles, and monograms. By selling directly online, OOKONN makes its designs accessible. Recognizing a gap in the market, the co-founders combined fashion, travel, and affordability. Thoughtfully designed with exceptional details.
OOKONN adds excitement to every journey.
Check Our Previous Seasons Below:
Here comes the final matching of Exhibitor X Designer. The pairs will connect to unleash the extraordinary craftsmanship under the use of finest leather.
Designers submit applications for L.E.D. Project.
Applications will be screened by L.E.D. Project Selection Committee.
Approved designers submit their leather goods designs, with leather preferences.
APLF selects a partner exhibitor or tannery for each participating designer, based on the designer’s material choices and product designs.
APLF connects designers with the chosen partner exhibitors, who then coordinate with regard to leather styles, designs, quantities, etc.
Designers produce their prototypes and display these at APLF Dubai in March 2023.
We bring leather, material and fashion businesses together: an opportunity to meet and greet face to face. We bring them from all parts of the world so that they can find fresh partners, discover new customers or suppliers and keep ahead of industry developments.
We organise a number of trade exhibitions which focus on fashion and lifestyle: sectors that are constantly in flux, so visitors and exhibitors alike need to be constantly aware both of the changes around them and those forecast for coming seasons.
