Maosa Makes History as Nigeria’s Omosalewa’s “Unburnt” Sets the Runway Ablaze at RLSD Africa 2025
RLSD Africa 2025 delivered one of the most defining creative moments on the continent this year, led by two standout triumphs that captured the spirit of African excellence. Kenya’s Stephen Maosa made history by winning the People’s Choice Award for the second consecutive year, while Nigeria’s debut entry, “Unburnt” by designer Omosalewa Ogunjimi, ignited the runway to claim the Apparel Design Award.
These victories not only celebrated exceptional talent, they embodied the mission of Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD): to elevate real leather as a sustainable material of choice, empower Africa’s next generation of designers, and drive value addition across the continent’s creative economy.
A Showcase Rooted in Purpose
The evening opened with welcoming remarks, by Beatrice Mwasi, RLSD Africa Team Lead and MD at CBiT, highlighting RLSD as an initiative of the Leather & Hide Council of America (L&HCA) and the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), a platform now in its third continental edition and fifth globally. Delegates were reminded of RLSD’s three pillars: promoting leather as a durable, circular and environmentally responsible material; empowering designers through mentorship and Slow Style values; and championing sustainable fashion practices across Africa.
Preston Viswamo, ALLPI Regional Design Studio Project Manager, emphasized that hides and skins are not waste but strategic African assets, and that design must be recognised as economic power, not decoration. He affirmed that the Regional Design Studio is shaping the next generation of designers by transforming raw talent into mastery and elevating real leather as a timeless, sustainable material. Together with other speakers, the message was clear: investing in African design talent is investing in Africa’s industrial future, environmental resilience, and creative sovereignty.
The evening carried a powerful reflection from Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director of ALLPI, whose remarks centred on courage, consistency, and collective effort. He reminded delegates that progress belongs to those who try, noting that many people do not fail for lack of talent, but because they never dare to begin. Comparing the process to a football team, he emphasized that success is achieved when everyone defends, creates, and scores together, each contribution strengthening Africa’s future industries. Mudungwe honoured the 149 applicants alongside the Top 15 finalists, urging them to keep designing, keep improving, and keep daring. He concluded with a powerful call to establish an RLSD Alumni Network, a united community of designers shaping Africa’s creative economy together.
The Chief Guest, Crusivia Hichikumba, Permanent Secretary for Industrialisation and Trade of Zambia, reinforced this vision in his keynote, describing creativity as economic infrastructure and urging Africa to reclaim its value by transforming hides and skins into high-quality products through design, innovation and structured industrial ecosystems. His address called on the continent to stop exporting raw potential and instead convert its creative strength into globally competitive industries, anchored on AfCFTA, sustainability and vibrant intra-African trade.
With this mandate set, the runway came alive.
Stephen Maosa (Kenya): La’balaba Makes History
Kenyan accessories designer Stephen Maosa achieved an unprecedented milestone, winning the People’s Choice Award for the second consecutive year, a first in RLSD Africa’s history. His finalist piece, La’balaba, named after the Yoruba word for “butterfly,” charmed audiences across the continent. Sculptural, fluid and emotionally resonant, the piece blended pebbled and smooth top-grain leather with hand-painted edges, polished gold-tone hardware and meticulous stitching.
La’balaba sends a message about slowing down, paying attention and rediscovering the quiet beauty in moments often overlooked. Africa embraced it. Stephen remains the people’s champion, twice over.
Nigeria’s Dazzling Debut: Omosalewa Ogunjimi’s “Unburnt”
Making its first appearance at RLSD Africa, Nigeria entered, and conquered.
Designer Omosalewa Ogunjimi, Founder & Creative Director of Shallyblaq, captured the Apparel Design Award with her breathtaking collection Unburnt. Inspired by the legend of Yoruba queen Moremi Ajasoro, the collection portrayed themes of water, defense, fire, hope and renewal, crafted through upcycled cowhide, hand-dyed Adire, raffia and cotton voile.
A Continental Celebration of Talent
While La’balaba and Unburnt commanded the night’s emotional core, RLSD Africa 2025 also celebrated outstanding achievements across other categories.
Ethiopia’s Getaneh Kifle won the Accessory Design Award with Dallol Mirage, a striking patchwork creation inspired by the mineral landscapes of the Danakil Depression.
Egypt’s Farida Eid, Founder of ZAHW and a continental footwear powerhouse, claimed both the Footwear Design Award and the Most Commendable Designer Award, demonstrating precision, storytelling and technical mastery at world-class level. The Most Commendable Designer Award win was announced earlier.
RLSD Africa 2025 affirmed that African designers are not waiting for validation, they are shaping global fashion conversations through responsibility, identity and innovation. Supported by Leather and Hide Council of America (L&HCA), Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) and Coordinated in Africa by CBiT, the platform continues to unlock value addition, strengthen the creative economy, and drive Africa’s ability to trade in finished excellence rather than raw potential.
Captions 1: Stephen Maosa of Kenya receives his award for the People’s Choice Category from the Executive Director of ALLPI, Nicholas Mudungwe, in Lusaka Zambia. Photo: Courtesy of RLSD Africa.
Captions 2: Designer Omosalewa Ogunjimi, with her collection of “Unburnt” collection during the showcase in Lusaka, Zambia. She claimed the Apparel Design Award. Photo: Courtesy of RLSD Africa.
