De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has launched Artifacts Live: A Legacy of Leather, showcasing new designs alongside historic leather pieces. By ILM.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by students, graduates, industry artisans and The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers.

DMU was also given an award for the exhibition by Real Leather. Stay Different. for its work to champion the history and importance of leather and leather skills.

Moore of Real Leather. Stay Different. said: “I think what you do here at DMU is amazing, and we wanted to make a special presentation to recognise the work that you have done to support leathercrafts and in inspiring the next generation of designers.”

DMU’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities worked with the Museum of Leathercraft and the university’s archives team and professional designers to create the exhibition.

Students from across design courses spent 11 months visiting tanneries and workshops to gain an understanding of leather ahead of the exhibition. Meanwhile, the Museum of Leathercraft loaned 20 items to DMU, ranging from a 17th C Japanese Samurai riding saddle to Elizabethan gauntlets, a 14th century strongbox and Doge’s Gondola chair from the height of the Renaissance period in Venice.

Leathersellers Chairman Alistair Tusting said: “Part of our mission is to support education and Artifacts Live has helped our goals for what we try to do in terms of education in a fantastically creative way. It has drawn together a whole range of different organisations and ultimately, it has only been possible thanks to the students themselves who have created some wonderful garments.”