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Runway Justice Served as Local Fashion Police Name 2025 Finalist

Two people in flowing red outfits stand confidently in a forest. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a dramatic, vibrant scene.

The South African Local Fashion Police announced the seven finalists of this year's South African Fashion Police awards on November the 3rd, 2025, in partnership with African Bank and Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&M SETA).

People seated at a table, one raising their hand. Background features bookshelves and a sign reading "Buy local to create jobs."

The Local Fashion Police is a flagship campaign by Proudly South African, which showcases and uplifts local designers in the South African clothing, textile, footwear, and leather (CTFL) industry. The 2025 judging panel includes top local designers and industry experts like Tshepo Mohlala (Tshepo Jeans), Asanda Madyibi, Khosi Nkosi Fashion House, Londeka Buthelezi Ndaba (Malondié), and more.

Fashionable person in dark outfit poses confidently by a palm tree, with a white building in the background under a blue sky.

This year’s winners are the ultimate fashion lovers. From thousands of submissions, these seven finalists have proven that fashion is the future. The adjudication process was overseen by nine judges who are leading fashion designers and household names on the local fashion scene. Each judge selected their favourite finalist, who will walk away with R50,000 worth of fashion from the designer’s line and get an opportunity to sashay their stuff on the runway at the star-studded grand finale of the competition, to be hosted on Thursday, 27 November 2025.


The seven winners, including the selecting judge, are:


Woman in a black dress stands on grass, holding a small purse. She's smiling against a backdrop of lush greenery and tall trees.
Charlene Kallis from Western Cape – wore Stephen Van Eeden, selected by Khosi Nkosi

Woman in a brown dress and white sunglasses stands confidently outdoors. Background includes another person in red and a bright, airy setting.
Savannah Alessandra Cozzi from Gauteng – wore Antisocial as well as Heart and Heritage, selected by Tshepo Jeans
Person in a red patterned top and skirt poses confidently outside a building with "YU" signage. Background includes large potted plants.
Tase Jack from East London – wore Abuntu, selected by ABANTU
A person in dark clothing and boots walks down stone steps, holding a bag. Flags and a building with a tiled roof are in the background.
Thatohatsi May from Free State – wore Hombakazi Vintage Cabin, selected by Malondié

Two people in red robes walk through a sunlit forest. Greenery surrounds them, creating a serene and mysterious atmosphere.
Stephanie Brookes from Gauteng – wore Red Thread, selected by Stephen Van Eeden

Two women smiling and hugging by the sea, one in a pink dress holding a drink, the other in a red dress with striped bag. Scenic ocean view.
Lue and Rue from Western Cape – wore street-savvy with graffiti-inspired elements, selected by MADONSELA

A woman in a stylish dress with fringe details and a woven bag walks down a street. Cars are parked along the road, and trees line the background.
S'ne Maphumulo from Gauteng – wore an elegant simplicity with high-impact details, selected by Asanda Madyibi

Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi, Proudly South African Chief Marketing Officer, gushed about the growing profile of the LFP and the exceptional quality of the entries received. “Over the years, the Local Fashion Police has grown in leaps and bounds and has showcased the depth of talent and creativity that is abundant in this country. Through this initiative, we seek to infuse South Africans with a newfound pride and appreciation of local fashion and elevate the local fashion scene as a formidable force to be reckoned with, not only within the confines of South Africa but internationally as well. This year’s winners embody a movement that goes beyond the runway, reaching into everyday lives and encouraging consumers to make conscious decisions that support our economy and create jobs,” she says.

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The Local Fashion Police grand finale event is set to be a dazzling display, where the top seven winners will strut down the runway in bespoke designs crafted by the judges themselves. This highly anticipated event will not only celebrate these local fashion champions but also shine a spotlight on South Africa’s vibrant creative economy, proudly supported by African Bank and FP&M SETA.

The Local Fashion Police competition is not only a celebration of home-grown sartorial flair, but it’s an initiative that galvanises support for the embattled retail, clothing, textile, footwear, and leather (R-CTFL) sectors that are reeling from the impact of offshore e-commerce retailers. By choosing local, consumers contribute directly to job creation and economic resilience in South Africa. Ngidi adds, “Our fashion industry holds the potential to drive substantial job creation and innovation. As South Africans, we need to be more conscientious and make fashion choices that have a social impact. With every rand we spend on footwear, clothing, and accessories, we have the power to choose to support the local fashion economy and its value chain to stimulate job creation and invest in our future.”

Woman in a black dress stands on grass, holding a small bag. Tall trees and bushes surround her. The mood is serene and elegant.

On November 27, 2025 Trendsetters Only will be attending the exclusive awards by invitation from the SA Fashion Police as they announce the true trendsetters take local fashion global. Stay tapped in with Proudly South African on social media to follow the winners’ journey, from their announcement to their runway debut at the grand finale event.

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