Winner of the Furniture Makers’ Leather Prize 2025
The winner of the Furniture Makers’ Leather Prize 2025 is University of Staffordshire graduate Grace Mansell with ‘Stitch’ – a premium furniture collection inspired by the human experience of connection.
Grace joined other talented designer-makers at the New Furniture Makers’ Exhibition on 29 October 2025 at Furniture Makers’ Hall, where she was presented with the award by Leathersellers’ Court Assistant (Board member), David Barrow.
Commenting on the meaning behind the project Grace said: “At the heart of this piece is the relationship between soft, sustainable leather and hard metal. These materials are rarely paired directly, yet in ‘Stitch’, they are thoughtfully integrated to support and enhance one another. The leather, warm and tactile, is held by a frame of metal that typically conveys strength. However, the way the two are joined softens the visual language of the metal, making it feel supportive rather than harsh. This tension and balance—between hard and soft, strength and sensitivity—mirrors the human experience of connection. The project also explores the idea that materials can hold a memory.”
Grace continues: “A piece of leather, over time, takes on the imprint of its use, every mark adds character and adds to the pieces story. I was curious about how a piece of furniture can spark memories or conversation—how its materials, forms, or craftsmanship might invite reflection. Through sustainable sourcing, including traceable leather with a low carbon footprint (21.5 kg CO₂e), the piece also addresses the environmental challenges of modern furniture-making, without sacrificing beauty or durability.”
Sponsorship of the prize by the Leathersellers’ Foundation covers expenses for the shortlisted candidate to attend the exhibition, which connects designer-makers with the design community and potential employers.
In addition, Grace will have the opportunity to visit Scottish Leather Group (including related travel costs) – a world-class, state of the art, carbon net zero tannery – to learn more about the process of making upholstery leather.
The Leather Prize was open to all students and recent graduates (up to two years) of UK further or higher education furniture or furnishing related courses who have created an outstanding piece of furniture using leather.
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