Johannesburg, South Africa — 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.”
— Kabelo, Head of Partnerships, South Africa Fashion Awards
SOUTH AFRICA FASHION AWARDS 2026 — FULL NOMINEE LIST
21 categories, decided by public vote
01 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
02 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
03 BEST FASHION INFLUENCER — Sponsored by Mentos South Africa
- 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
04 BEST FASHION ICON — Sponsored by L’Or Espresso South Africa
- 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
05 BEST MAKE-UP BRAND
- Gloei Beauty
- SwiitchBeauty
- Creative Glamour
- Inthusiasm
- Hermosa Flor Cosmetics
- Lula Fox
- Signature Cosmetics & Fragrances
- Mooiste Meisie
06 BEST SKINCARE BRAND — Sponsored by Mondayrepublic.com
- 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
07 BEST FASHION RETAILER
- Mr Price
- AYANA
- Edgars
- The FIX
- Foschini
- Markham
- Archive
- Sportscene
- Woolworths
- Ackermans
08 BEST FASHION E-COMMERCE BRAND
- Bash
- Superbalist
- YDE
- MyRunway
- Edgars
- Dunns
- Mr Price Online
- Woolworths Online
09 BEST MALE MODEL — Sponsored by Dechavel
- 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
10 BEST FEMALE MODEL — Sponsored by Dechavel
- 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
11 BEST EMERGING FASHION DESIGNER — Sponsored by Black Crown
- 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)
- Kwanele Thusi
- Luthando Mbobo
- Ana Nunes
- Emily Mutombo
- Victoria Ongansie
- Alison Kgomo
12 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
13 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
14 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
15 BEST MODELLING AGENCY — Sponsored by Madepossible.ai
- 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
16 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
17 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
18 BEST FOOTWEAR BRAND
- Peset
- Bathu
- Nik’Ana by Lufiano
- Hibacci
- Yenza Africa
- Vaya Footwear
- Veldskoen Shoes
- Froggie
- Drip Footwear
- Tsonga
- Monosi Movements
19 BEST MAKEUP ARTIST
- Stephy Kwanaite
- Nomsa Madida
- Nono Linchwe
- Bokamoso Dikobe (BK MUA)
- Renee de Wit
- Precious Xaba
- Fanyana Maseko
- Vuyo Varoy
- Nthato Mashishi
20 BEST FASHION CAMPAIGN — Sponsored by Madepossible.ai
- 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
21 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.
| 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.
Vote now at safashionawards.co.za/vote
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.
Book tickets at safashionawards.co.za/tickets
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