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TRENDSETTERS ONLY



Issue 008 Is Here: Africa in Motion
Trendsetters Only Issue 008 is here. Unfiltered, unapologetic and in motion — MaXhosa at Paris, Hauptfleisch Jani in Cape Town, Milan, Nairobi and a generation shaping its own global story.

Lesley Moyo
Jun 93 min read


Highlights From Australian Fashion Week 2026
Held in May, Australian Fashion Week 2026 brought five days of runway shows across Sydney, from rain-soaked boardwalks to heritage homes and harbour-side galleries. Standout moments included Carla Zampatti’s closing show in the rainfall, Aje’s pink takeover of The Lands by Capella, and Ngali’s powerful final day presentation at the MCA. Across the week, designers focused on strong silhouettes, thoughtful storytelling and clothes with lasting impact.

Tumelo Bopape
May 303 min read


The Station is the Stage: David Tlale Reimagines the Gautrain as a Runway of Dreams
In the heart of the "City of Gold," where the pulse of the nation beats loudest, fashion designer David Tlale has once again proven that for a visionary, the entire city is a canvas. On a May evening, the award-winning designer transformed the sleek, subterranean world of the Gautrain into a high-octane theater of African luxury.
Nsuku Khosa
May 202 min read


Week of Fashion South Africa Marks a Defining Shift for African Fashion
Cape Town’s Longkloof Precinct became the center of African fashion innovation from 24–25 April 2026 as more than 30 designers gathered for the Autumn/Winter 2026 collections under the newly expanded Week of Fashion South Africa (WOF).

Thokozile Mabuza
May 193 min read


Africa's Future Is on the Runway: Inside African Fashion Week 2026 at Sandton City
Johannesburg proved once again that it is the beating heart of African fashion when African Fashion Week (AFW) Season 2 descended on the iconic Wakanda The Gallery at Sandton City — just behind Nelson Mandela Square — from 7 to 8 May 2026—under the electrifying theme of "Afro-Futuristic", the two-day showcase brought together some of the continent's most compelling design voices, positioning African creativity not just as cultural expression but as a serious force in global t

Trend Setters Only
May 166 min read


If You Blinked, You Missed an Entire Season of South Africa's Fashion History
By the time the industry finished processing one runway moment, another had already happened somewhere else. And maybe that is the most accurate way to describe this season. Backstage image of Undefined Outdoor Clothing at SAFW/ image source: pierre van vuuren Somewhere between fashion weeks, independent showcases, experimental runways, train stations, cathedrals, viral TikTok moments, and creator-led documentation, South African fashion entered one of its most accelerated cu

Mkhetwa Baloyi
May 147 min read


Fashion, a lifestyle...an experience | Heart and Heritage launches Autumn, Winter collection
On April 18, 2026, Heart and Heritage, in collaboration with Shits not Tailored and Redialle, launched their Autumn Winter collection at the Heart and Heritage Studio,Randburg, South Africa.

Thokozile Mabuza
May 112 min read


Progression V Turns St George’s Cathedral into Cape Town’s Most Heavenly Runway
For the first time in its 160-year history, the cathedral became the stage for a fashion presentation of this scale. But the significance of that decision is not rooted in novelty. It is rooted in narrative. When Onesimo Bam presented Progression V, the most powerful element was not just the garments. It was the architecture that held them.

Mkhetwa Baloyi
Mar 273 min read


Inside the 2026 Buy Local Summit: Proudly SA Highlights SA's Most Underrated Fashion Brands
On the 17th and 18th of March, the Buy Local Summit & Expo, offered a powerful platform to showcase the creativity and innovation of South Africa’s homegrown businesses. Designers, artisans, and industry leaders gathered under one roof, not only to showcase their work but to reaffirm a shared vision; that local is not a limitation, but a launchpad.

Tumelo Bopape
Mar 234 min read


DUAFE: Rewriting the Graduate Collection as Legacy
There is a difference between a graduate collection and a reckoning. One asks to be marked. The other leaves a mark. DUAFE created by Theophilous Ramohlale of STADIO School of Fashion does the latter.

Mkhetwa Baloyi
Mar 133 min read


Fashion Vibes Milano: A Celebration of Global Couture at Milan Fashion Week
The Fashion Vibes Milano showcase on February 28, 2026, at the historic Centro Ambrosiano in the heart of Milan transformed Milan Fashion Week into a vibrant global dialogue of couture, heritage, and contemporary elegance.

Lesley Moyo
Mar 103 min read


The Ancestral Avant-Garde: How MaXhosa Africa is Rewriting the Global Luxury Script
The recent showcase of MaXhosa Africa at Paris Fashion Week (PFW) isn't just another runway show; it is a signal of a seismic shift in the global fashion industry.
Nsuku Khosa
Mar 102 min read


Trendsetters Only Magazine: Issue #007
Trendsetters Only Magazine Issue 007 arrives as a bold celebration of African slow fashion with the SA Fashion Police Finale brand Madonsela on the cover. At its core, the “Confections x Collections” feature spotlights intricate, heritage-driven labels

Trend Setters Only
Mar 71 min read


How “Everyday Cape Town” Repositions Fashion Within South Africa’s Creative Economy
In a fashion industry often preoccupied with imported validation, Paris runways, Milan showrooms, global fashion week circuits, a recent Cape Town–based production offered a quieter but far more strategic intervention.

Mkhetwa Baloyi
Feb 273 min read


Fuata Moyo Commands the Streets: Her heARTbeat Rules Bree
Fuata Moyo, founded by the Mbiola siblings, celebrates African artistry through vibrant wearable art and impactful community initiatives. Their recent event in Cape Town showcased sustainable fashion while promoting unity and self-expression.

Thokozile Mabuza
Feb 252 min read


Nairobi Fashion Week Season Eight: From Showcase to Infrastructure
What unfolded at Nairobi Fashion Week Season Eight was neither a bid for visibility nor a plea for validation. It moved with the composure of a platform that no longer seeks a seat at the table, having built its own room.

Sagesse Toywa
Feb 162 min read


Trendsetters Assemble: Imprint’s Star-Studded Pop-Up Redefines Luxury at Mall of Africa
Imprint South Africa has officially unveiled its first-ever exclusive pop-up store at the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg, opening on February 4, 2026. This bold move invites fashion lovers to step directly into the brand’s signature world—where African heritage meets unapologetic modernity, and every piece tells a story worth wearing.

Thokozile Mabuza
Feb 102 min read


A Legacy Unveiled: Thebe Magugu and Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel Celebrate a Historic Partnership
In spectacular celebration of African excellence, visionary designer Thebe Magugu and the iconic Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel unveiled the highly anticipated Magugu Suite and Magugu House a partnership that transcends conventional collaboration and solidifies Magugu's position as a pioneer in the global luxury fashion landscape. The grand launch event, held at the legendary "Pink Lady" nestled beneath Table Mountain, was nothing short of extraordinary.

Elize Maelane-Mcklein
Feb 73 min read


Unleashing Effortless Rebellion: Jani Hauptfleisch's Cape Town Menswear Revolution
In the heart of Cape Town, stylist Jani Hauptfleisch curated a menswear shoot that does more than make a statement; it tells a story. One where the city's beauty, rich culture, and effortless cool are woven into every thread and texture.

Thokozile Mabuza
Jan 152 min read


Fashion as moral architecture: How Jodorry builds justice into cloth
In fashion, there are brands that design seasonal collections, and there are houses that design positions—statements of belief and intent. With Wa Bobedi (No. 2), Jodorry firmly establishes itself on the latter side.

Mkhetwa Baloyi
Dec 27, 20252 min read
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