RMIT and EVERAU announce winners of the 2026 student design award for sheepskin shoemaking

RMIT has partnered with Australian premium sheepskin footwear brand EVERAU to announce the winners of its 2026 Student Design Award for Sheepskin Shoemaking.

The initiative invited emerging designers to reimagine one of Australia's most recognisable cultural objects, the sheepskin boot.

More than a symbol of comfort, the Australian sheepskin boot occupies a distinctive place in the nation's material culture. As an archetypal object, it reflects Australia's relationship to landscape, lifestyle and craftsmanship. Through this collaboration, EVERAU and RMIT set out to explore how this iconic silhouette can evolve for a new generation while honouring its role as part of Australia's diverse and rich cultural history.

Part of the Partnered Project Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course for RMIT's Bachelor of Fashion (Design), the competition offered students the rare opportunity to design an original EVERAU boot concept, with the winning design progressing into production. In an industry where much of footwear manufacturing now takes place offshore, the partnership with RMIT's School of Fashion and Textiles reinforces the importance of preserving shoemaking knowledge, technical skill and material understanding within Australia.

"At EVERAU, we see an opportunity to go further: to reposition the Ugg not only as a relevant part of today's fashion wardrobe, but as a uniquely Australian expression of style, rooted in heritage, craftsmanship, and the coastal lifestyle that inspired it," says Tina Dong, EVERAU Branding & Marketing Manager.

Central to the collaboration is RMIT's reputation for innovation, world-class expertise and facilities, which provide students with critical perspectives and hands on access to state-of-the-art fashion studios, specialist machinery and maker spaces.

The project highlights the critical role of university-led shoemaking programs in sustaining industry capability and fostering the next generation of Australian designers.

Dr Alexandra Sherlock, Lecturer in the Bachelor of Fashion (Design) said industry partnerships like this were central to applied teaching at RMIT.

"This collaboration invited students to engage with the sheepskin boot not simply as a product, but as a complex cultural object with deep connections to Australian lifestyle and craft traditions.

"Working with EVERAU allowed students to explore how heritage footwear can be reimagined through contemporary design thinking, while maintaining respect for materials, techniques and stories. It is exactly the kind of industry engaged learning and career readiness that prepares our students to contribute meaningfully to the future of Australian design," Sherlock said.

Following a competitive selection process, Lydie Taylor, Tianyin Yang, Madeleine Graham and Harrison Spunner have been named recipients of the 2026 Student Design Award for Sheepskin Shoemaking. Collectively, their work reimagines the sheepskin boot through the lenses of fashion and comfort, cultural relevance for a Gen Z audience, and a powerful land-to-sea narrative grounded in emotional durability.

From a refined ballet flat that elevates everyday wearability, to a culturally amend reinterpretation shaped by youth perspective, and a material dialogue pairing oilskin from the ocean with sheepskin from the land, each concept demonstrates how an Australian archetype can evolve with meaning and modernity.

As part of the prize, the winning design will move into production under the EVERAU label, offering the student a rare opportunity to see their work transition from studio concept to finished product.

This partnership between an Australian university and an Australian brand underscores a shared commitment to local industry, education and culture. By grounding innovation in heritage, EVERAU and RMIT are ensuring that the sheepskin boot continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its origins.