The South Africa Fashion Awards (SAFA) has officially announced the nominees for the 2nd Annual South Africa Fashion Awards, taking place on Saturday, 3 October 2026 at Hotel Sky, Sandton, Johannesburg.
Following the successful launch of the South Africa Fashion Awards in 2025, the awards return for their second annual edition with an expanded programme of 21 publicly voted categories, recognising the designers, models, stylists, photographers, beauty innovators, retailers, executives, brands and campaigns helping shape the future of South African fashion.
The 2026 edition will also introduce two new categories: Best Fashion Campaign, recognising outstanding fashion advertising, collaborations and cultural activations; and Fashion Executive of the Year, recognising the executives behind the marketing, commercial strategy, growth and development of some of the country’s most prominent fashion businesses.
The 2nd Annual South Africa Fashion Awards is supported by official partners L’Or Espresso South Africa, Mentos South Africa, Dechavel, Mondayrepublic.com, Madepossible.ai and Black Crown.
Kabelo, Head of Partnerships at the South Africa Fashion Awards, commented:
“This year’s nominees demonstrate the extraordinary breadth of talent, creativity and business innovation within South African fashion. From internationally recognised designers and established fashion houses to emerging creatives, models, stylists, entrepreneurs, retailers and the executives working behind some of the country’s most influential fashion businesses, the 2026 nominations represent an industry that continues to evolve and command attention globally. “We are particularly excited to broaden the awards this year with categories such as Best Fashion Campaign and Fashion Executive of the Year. Fashion is not only about what we see on the runway; there is an enormous ecosystem of creativity, marketing, retail, partnerships, technology and commercial strategy behind the industry. “The South Africa Fashion Awards exists to celebrate that entire ecosystem. We now invite the public across South Africa, Africa and internationally to vote for their favourites, and we look forward to bringing the industry together at Hotel Sky in Sandton on 3 October.”
SOUTH AFRICA FASHION AWARDS 2026 — FULL NOMINEE LIST
BEST FASHION DESIGNER
Thebe Magugu
Rich Mnisi
Laduma Ngxokolo
Gert-Johan Coetzee
Mzukisi Mbane
Thando Ntuli
Kat Van Duinen
Fabrice Moyo
Sindiso Khumalo
Thula Sindi
Lukhanyo Mdingi
David Tlale
Palesa Mokubung
Orapeleng Modutle
Ruald Rheeder
Londeka Buthelezi-Ndaba
Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana
Fikile Sokhulu
Ole Ledimo / House of Olé
Craig Jacobs / Fundudzi
Robyn Agulhas / sinCHUI
BEST STYLIST
Lethabo “Boogy” Maboi
Don Delicious
Bee Diamondhead
Amy Zama
Obakeng Rantlhane
Oratile Moh
Lethabo Motlatle
Shané Badenhorst
Phupho Gumede K
Thobeka Mbane
Landa Willie
Nokana Mojapelo
Chloe Andrea Welgemoed
Lesego “Kgosi” Kgosimolao
Vusumuzi “Bob the Stylist” Ndima
Ulrica Knutsdotter
Itumeleng Pilane Kwele
Khanyisile Mdletshe
Siyamthanda Ncube
Thato Ndzimande / The Gmni
Mamello Makha
BEST FASHION INFLUENCER
Sarah Langa
Nabilah Kariem
Kim Jayde
Ntandokazi Mzamo
Pamela Mtanga
Naliyani Uma
Mihlali Ndamase
Boity Thulo
Bonang Matheba
Blue Mbombo
DJ Zinhle
Thabsie (Bathabise Biyela)
Kefilwe Mabote
Ponahalo Mojapelo
Nomuzi Mabena
Siyamthanda Anita
Dineo Langa
BEST FASHION ICON
Kim Jayde
Bonang Matheba
Sarah Langa
Rich Mnisi
Dineo Moeketsi
Nandi Madida
Nomzamo Mbatha
Thebe Magugu
Laduma Ngxokolo
Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa
Somizi Mhlongo
Minnie Dlamini
BEST MAKE-UP BRAND
Gloei Beauty
SwiitchBeauty
Creative Glamour
Inthusiasm
Hermosa Flor Cosmetics
Lula Fox
Signature Cosmetics & Fragrances
Mooiste Meisie
BEST SKINCARE BRAND
SKOON. Skincare
Fundamentals Skincare
Dawn
Clere Skincare
lelive
Skin Creamery
African Extracts Rooibos
Africology
Suki Suki Naturals
SKIN functional
Standard Beauty
Esse Skincare
Silki
B’AIR Skincare
Dermopal
Hey Gorgeous
BEST FASHION RETAILER
Mr Price
AYANA
Edgars
The FIX
Foschini
Markham
Archive
Sportscene
Woolworths
Ackermans
BEST FASHION E-COMMERCE BRAND
Bash
Superbalist
YDE
MyRunway
Edgars
Dunns
Mr Price Online
Woolworths Online
BEST MALE MODEL
Lebo Malope
Denetric Malope
TJ Ngoma
Rasaq Akinwunmi
Yuri Pailman
Lee Anderson
Arjan Botma
Brian Whitby
Shaun Dewet
Oliver Kumbi
Chris Luis
Amir X
Neo Ndabana
BEST FEMALE MODEL
Nondumiso Beattie
Marizanne Visser
Lwandle Maluvá Ngwenya
Tansey Coetzee
Eden Kassner
Natasha Barnard
Constance More
Summer Thompson
Leanatte Ndlovu
Kiara Coetzee
Kunda Madhandara
Bethel Sanza
BEST EMERGING FASHION DESIGNER
Lucky Masemola
Mlungisi Ndlovu
Tanaka Magirazi Vengere
Dawn Nquma
Mihlali Madikane
Simphiwe Mqanjelwa
Chanel Rautenbach
Kiyaan Pillay
Lumka Takane
Gift Nematei
Khumo Morojele
Tebogo Selebi
Thakazelwa Mhlomi (Thakie Bilal Marley)
What's your hot take on this story?
Kwanele Thusi
Luthando Mbobo
Ana Nunes
Emily Mutombo
Victoria Ongansie
Alison Kgomo
BEST HAIRSTYLIST
Jawad Maphoto
Bonolo Gabuza
Amiena Hartley Dolf
Kelvin Takudzwa
Irene da Fonseca
Tumelo “MJ” Mpholo
Hair By NanaR
Julie Tchouya
Boyd Meilhorn
Matthew Mansoor
Nikiwe Dlova
Saadique Ryklief
Shelene Shaer
Gary Rom
BEST FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
Trevor Stuurman
Imraan Christian
Basetsana Maluleka
Pierre Van Vuuren
Eunice Driver
Legae Sehlako
Andile Mthembu
Brandon Barnard
Zander Opperman
Fuaad Abdool
Gabrielle Kannemeyer
Aart Verrips
Tandekile Mkize
Kristin-Lee Moolman
BEST SUSTAINABLE FASHION
Sama Sama
Lukhanyo Mdingi
Me&B
SELFI
The BAM Collective
GUGUBYGUGU
Yarnh
Mors Design
Lara Klawikowski
Hannah Lavery
Sitting Pretty South Africa
Michael Ludwig
Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs
Something Good Studio
OYOO Style
Ledikana
BEST MODELLING AGENCY
ICE Models
Boss Models
Rage Agency
GAPA Model Agency
Blaze Talent
SYNC Model Management
33 and Me Talent Agency
Invade Models
Steele Model Studio
Louis B Model & Talent Management
AURA Models
Outlaws Model Agency
Fusion Models
BEST SOUTH AFRICAN JEWELLERY BRAND
Jenna Clifford
Lorne Jewellery
Pichulik
Dear Rae Jewellery
Famke Jewellery
Ida Elsje Jewellery
Meraki Jewellery Design
Kirsten Goss
Charles Greig
The Fitz
Botanica Jewellery
Karoozen
Nom Nom
Ditsala Designs
NQ Jewellery Design Services
BEST STREETWEAR BRAND
Artclub and Friends
GALXBOY
Boys of Soweto
Cultish
Embedded
Dirtylolli Clothing Brand
Suhu Original
Love Light Godspeed
Butan
Sol-Sol
Grade Africa
Thesis Lifestyle
Rebirth SA
Happyville
SASH South Africa
BEST FOOTWEAR BRAND
Peset
Bathu
Nik’Ana by Lufiano
Hibacci
Yenza Africa
Vaya Footwear
Veldskoen Shoes
Froggie
Drip Footwear
Tsonga
Monosi Movements
BEST MAKEUP ARTIST
Stephy Kwanaite
Nomsa Madida
Nono Linchwe
Bokamoso Dikobe (BK MUA)
Renee de Wit
Precious Xaba
Fanyana Maseko
Vuyo Varoy
Nthato Mashishi
BEST FASHION CAMPAIGN
Foschini × Rich Mnisi — Foschini 100 × RICH MNISI 10
Thebe Magugu × Mount Nelson — Thebe Magugu Suite & Magugu House
David Tlale × Gautrain — I Am Africa, Not African / Art in Transit
MaXhosa Africa × Saso’s Marquee Experience — Durban July 2026
Studio 88 × Adidas — #OriginalCollective88
Skipper Bar × Adidas — #WeOwnTheStreets
GALXBOY × Standard Bank — From Possible to More
Mr Price × Sphokuhle — Mr Price × Sphokuhle
Side Step × Blxckie — New Era
Adidas South Africa × SoccerBible — Bafana Bafana 2026 Kit Campaign
Proudly South African — Local Fashion Police
Ackermans — Summer 2025 / #MyAckermans
FASHION EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Kevin Smit — Managing Director, Mr Price
Tevin Sebela — Brand Manager, Side Step
Kaboomo Mgibi-Marshoff — Senior Brand Manager, Skipper Bar
Bronwyn Pretorius — Chief Marketing Officer, Ackermans
Tom Brown — Senior Director, Head of Brand, adidas South Africa
Rasheed Ferguson — Head of Marketing, Sportscene, Archive, Redbat & Anatomy, TFG
Simphiwe Pato — Interim Chief Marketing Officer, Woolworths South Africa
Brett Bellinger — Marketing Director, PUMA South Africa
Roshnee Pillay — Head of Marketing, African Fashion International
2026 SPECIAL HONOURS
In addition to the 21 publicly voted categories, seven distinguished figures will receive Special Honours at the 2026 South Africa Fashion Awards. These honours are selected by the awards and are not subject to public voting.
Special Honours at the 2026 South Africa Fashion Awards. These honours are selected by
the awards and are not subject to public voting.
Lucilla Booyzen – Fashion Industry Legacy Award
Joani Johnson – Modelling Industry Legacy Award
Thebe Magugu – African Fashion Global Impact Award
Basetsana Khumalo – Fashion & Cultural Impact Award
Thatiso Dube – Fashion Entrepreneurship Award
Stephen Manzini – Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Award
Papama Mtwisha – Legacy Award for Cultural Entrepreneurship
PUBLIC VOTING NOW OPEN
With the nominees officially announced, the public can now help decide the winners of the 2nd Annual South Africa Fashion Awards. Voting is open across all 21 competitive categories.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Tickets for the 2nd Annual South Africa Fashion Awards are also officially on sale. Guests will have the opportunity to join designers, models, celebrities, fashion executives, influencers, brands and industry figures for one of South Africa’s major fashion celebrations.
Event: 2nd Annual South Africa Fashion Awards
Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
Venue: Hotel Sky, Sandton, Johannesburg
Dress Code: Black Tie / Fashion Glamour
Official Partners: Mentos South Africa | Black Crown | Dechavel | Madepossible.ai |
Mondayrepublic.com | L’Or Espresso South Africa
