JUDGES
Olivier Védrine
Architect-Designer & Production Designer, OO Agency Paris
Olivier Védrine started his career in Japan in 1990 where he organised his first personal exhibition at the Galerie Idée in Tokyo. Since the ’90s he was remarked because of his work with the French company Dacryl on chromatic transparencies, particularly using acrylic crystal in furniture and objects. For the last 10 years he has lectured at the Royal College of Art in London, Reims Fine Arts School in France (ESAD-Higher School of Art and Design), the private Camondo higher education school of decorative arts in Paris and at ESAM- Higher School of Modern Arts in Paris. In 2001 he joined Olivier Guillemin to create the [o,o] Design Agency.
Stefano Migliavacca
International Projects Manager, Edizioni AF
With more than 20 years in the fashion business with a specific focus in the leather accessories sector.
Stefano Migliavacca the International Projects Manager of Edizioni AF has a wide international experience on International Projects for Edizioni AF, B2B magazines and for Arsutoria School courses.
Giuseppe Tucci
Head of Bags Department, Arsutoria School
Product Designer
Giuseppe has been working as a Professor in design and fashion for many years. His previous experience includes working as a designer in Milan as well as some time abroad; this includes the collaboration with the Japanese designer Hiroshi Ono and the recent Compasso d’oro winner, Antonio Lanzillo.
Tanner Leatherstein
PEGAI Chief Craftsman, Content Creator
As a master craftsman and the Trusted Advisor of Leatherverse, Tanner Leatherstein is committed to delivering genuine leather luxury and sharing his deep knowledge to help enthusiasts everywhere fully utilize and appreciate leather.
Tanner’s captivating videos, with honest reviews of top leather brands, have won a wide audience and caught the eye of major news outlets. Known for his skill for being a butcher of leather bags, he’s a big name in leather and social media, with over 2 million Tannertastic followers and 301 million views.
Additionally, Tanner has been featured in various media outlets such as The New York Times, Financial Times, South China Morning Post, and a lot more. He was also included in the Business of Fashion’s 500 most influential people in the fashion industry, further proving his expertise in leather goods.
IG: cafune.official
Queenie Fan
Creative Director and Co-founder, Cafuné
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Queenie Fan is the Creative Director of modern accessories brand Cafuné. She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a fine arts degree, and attuned her aptitude working in New York as handbag designer for brands including 3.1 Phillip Lim, Coach and rag & bone.
Inspired to create something unique for the market, she co-founded Cafuné in 2015 to critical acclaim—and in the same year was named one of Perspective Magazine’s “40 Under 40” in the Fashion category. Thoughtfully designed, carefully crafted and distinctly iconic, Queenie’s designs balances modern and classic elements to create timeless accessories.
Cafuné has been featured on international press such as Vogue, Marie Claire, WWD and Harper’s Bazaar; its signature styles worn by celebrities like Lady Gaga and Natalie Dormer.
Matteo Bastiani
Head of Bags Department, Arsutoria School
Concept Creator, Camera60
Matteo has always been fascinated by how things are made. He was graduated in education and then decided to dedicate himself to the art of leather goods.
He had worked with prestigious independent luxury brands for 10 years with his own studio as a pattern maker and prototyper. For more than two years now, since he has joined Arsutoria, his focus has been shifted to training and cognitive processes related to his industry.
Matteo continues to seek new perspectives in the world of leather goods through his Instagram profile where he works with unusual shapes and materials.
Hirra Babar
CEO & Creative Director, WARP
Born and raised in Lahore, Hirra is an Economics and Business graduate who after doing her MBA decided to create a label of her which was at the intersection of design, technology and craftsmanship. She developed an interest in crafts and design at a very early age but never pursed it for professional studies, however it was always a form of catharsis for her in her leisure. She loves to travel, meeting new people and exploring different cultures. Her creative design process is inspired by abstractionism. Hirra is the CEO and Creative Director of Warp.
Yusuf Osman
Founder, YUSSICO
Yusuf Osman is a craftsman, designer, educator and a leading advocate for sustainable leather use. He is the founder of YUSSICO and his practice invites you to rediscover the world through the lens of craft and its power to revolutionise the relationship we have with ourself, with each other and the natural world.
After qualifying as a solicitor, Yusuf’s quest for a meaningful life led him to a workshop in Tetbury in England, where his passion for leather began. What started out as a quest for perfecting the craft has become a journey that transcends the crafted object to understand what it means to be human and in doing so uncovering the threads that connect us all.
Julie Thanning
Head Designer, MOODI