Glitz and glamor took centerstage as fashion moguls and style devotees descended for the latest instalment of the South African Fashion Week (SAFW) SS25 in Johannesburg. For three nights in late April at The Forum Hyde Park, African fashion was rescripted by the continent’s emerging and established designers. It was a confluence of vibrant and diverse textures, tales and talent.
Mimangaliso Ndiko (23), one of the young designers showcasing at the event who we spoke with, said he started his journey at SA Fashion Week. As the founder and creative director of Sixx6, he won the South African Fashion Week Student Competition, which led to his debut collection under the New Talent Search category at SA Fashion Week, and that was a transformative turning point.
Ndiko added: “Fashion week always has its intensity, but this season felt different — more aligned, more affirming. Seeing my vision come alive on that stage, the energy from the audience, the reactions… it reminded me why I do this. It wasn’t just a showcase, it was a shift. I walked away not only proud but clear about the next chapter for my brand.”
This year featured seven shows, 24 collections, collaborations with Isuzu, Cruz Vodka, and L’Oreal Paris, which saw more designers take to the ramp such as Hangwani Nengovhela and Boitumelo Masehla, as also Tadiwanashe Karen Kaparipari, the founder of TADI wa NASHE, one of the crowd favorites.
One of the most memorable moments was South African designer Gert-Johan Coetzee’s showcase on the opening night that delivered an audio-visual experience like no other.
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South African media icon Nambitha Mpumlwana was also present. She expressed her love for fashion and had a few words of future-forward advice for the young designers: “When you make that fashion statement, make sure that it’s reflected of you today, tomorrow, and after. Timeless elegance is always a winner for me. I think some of the young people forget that and they end up doing some rather, shall we say, interesting things, but they’re kids. Unfortunately, we are in the era of everything going on the internet and the internet does not forget.”
A well-dressed, well-turned-out edition, the style event proved that local fashion is not just thriving, but it’s transforming too. With bold visions and timeless wisdom, the future of African style is in safe hands.
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