South African Fashion Week: Making a Loud Statement through Quiet Luxury

Final walk from @beachcultct last season. Catch their #SS25 collection on the #SAFW runway this season on 26 April at The Forum Hyde Park! #CRUZSAFW #LOREALPARISSAFW #IS

South African Fashion week is set to, once again, shake up the fashion world on 24th - 26th April with the unveiling of their highly anticipated Spring/Summer 2025 collection. The collection will embody a sense of understated elegance through their theme of Quiet Luxury.

@sungoddessafrolux on the South African Fashion Week Runway #ISUZUxSAFW #LOREALPARISSAFW #CRUZSAFW #SAFW

For 28 years, South African Fashion Week (SAFW) has carved out its own distinct identity in the global fashion calendar. Despite being the youngest fashion week, SAFW has become a powerful symbol of cultural storytelling, sustainability and African innovation.

SA Fashion Week Talent search Participants - Video Courtesy of SA FW

Here’s a flashback to @helonmelonct’s #SS24 collection

Launched in 1997, with over 900 designers and 47 seasons, SAFW is not just a platform for showcasing fashion but an ecosystem which cultivates collaboration, innovation and connection. As a publication dedicated to highlighting the innovative trends that both impact the global fashion world and highlight local style, Trensetters Only is excited to cover this renowned event.

@gertjohan will be bringing his #SS25 collection to the #SAFW runway on 24 April!

One of the most exciting aspects of the Spring/Summer 2025 (SS25) season is the inclusion of young, emerging designers, many of whom are part of the SAFW New Talent Search.

@pret_a_perfect on the #SAFW last season! They will be back to showcase their #SS25 collection this season.

This year's lineup includes Jessica-Ann Shepherd of Oddity, the winner of the SS24 New Talent Search, who will kick off the runway show. Her collection is expected to set the tone for a new wave of designers blending skillful workmanship with thoughtful design.

SA Fashion week New Talent search.@tayloredsubstance @nganodesign @_k.kaparipari @james.presents @b

The semi-finalists of the New Talent Search also promise to make their mark, showcasing collections from brands like Allegra Nassif’s Estella James, Mfundo Hlongwana’s Ecstatic, and Johannesburg-based Tanaka Vengere’s Ngano Design Africa.

@beachcultct will be back on the #SAFW runway this coming season to showcase their #SS25 collection.

These young designers have crafted collections with carefully curated prints, reflecting SAFW’s commitment to responsible fashion practices. Beyond showcasing their creativity, these emerging designers gain invaluable media exposure, giving them a platform to catapult their brands into the spotlight. Only one designer will be crowned the winner, but each semi-finalist will leave SAFW with a powerful brand presence and the chance to shape the future of South African fashion.

‘DYNAMISM 24-25’

SAFW’s collaborations continue to push the boundaries of fashion and business. A major collaboration this season is the partnership with ISUZU Motors South Africa, which will sponsor the ISUZU LUXURY COLLECTIONS. This partnership reflects the shared values of precision, craftsmanship, and resilience, while promoting the growth of local fashion talent. “Like electricity, fashion connects us all—often unnoticed, yet undeniably powerful." says founder and chief executive, Lucilla Booyzen.

@nakedapeofficial will be back on the #SAFW runway this coming season to showcase their #SS25 collection.

The second day of ISUZU LUXURY COLLECTIONS begins with a fusion of tradition and modernity, through showcasing Thabo Makhetha's SS25 collection. Building on from last summer’s recycled plastic Thetana skirts, Makhetha’s designs are both magical and timeless, reimagining heritage for the future. Closing the collaboration is Rubicon's Ethereal Continuum, a collection that combines sharp tailoring with the organic flow of nature, blending strength and grace.

@nakedapeofficial will be back on the #SAFW runway this coming season to showcase their #SS25 collection.

Another exciting partnership is SAFW’s collaboration with Cruz Vodka. As the sponsor of The Cruz Collective, Cruz Vodka will highlight avant-garde designers like Mimangaliso Ndiko, Shaldon Kopman, and Jacques Bam. Ndiko, of SIXX6, explored the concept of fashion as the "sixth sense," tapping into the power of all five senses.

Kopman showcased his Urban Camo Collection, a modern take on camouflage designed to blend in with urban environments rather than natural landscapes. Closing is Jacques Bam’s gender-fluid, and non-binary designs that continue to redefine fashion.

@nakedapeofficial will be back on the #SAFW runway this coming season to showcase their #SS25 collection.

Cruz Vodka’s sponsorship will promote freedom and creativity, aligning with SAFW’s message of boundary breaking innovation. As the SS25 collections come to a close, all focus will be on designer couple Vanya and Thando Mangaliso and their brand Sun Goddess.

@nakedapeofficial will be back on the #SAFW runway this coming season to showcase their #SS25 collection.

Their designs blend cultural storytelling with regal African craftsmanship, providing a fresh perspective on luxury fashion. South African Fashion Week not only celebrates diverse designers, showcasing their creativity, cultural narratives, and commitment to innovation, but also shapes the future of fashion both locally and globally.