South Africa Fashion Awards nominees announced ahead of October ceremony
Some of South Africa’s biggest fashion names are among the nominees for this year’s South Africa Fashion Awards, with the public invited to vote for their favourites.
The South Africa Fashion Awards (SAFA) is back for its second annual ceremony, with some of the country’s biggest names in fashion and entertainment among this year’s nominees.
The nominees were announced earlier this week, following the success of last year’s inaugural awards. This year, organisers are taking things up a notch with 21 publicly voted categories celebrating the diverse talent shaping South Africa’s fashion industry.
New categories introduced
The categories recognise designers, models, stylists, photographers, beauty innovators, retailers, executives, brands and campaigns.
Two new categories have also been introduced this year: Best Fashion Campaign and Fashion Executive of the Year, shining a spotlight on the creative and strategic work that takes place behind the scenes.
The awards will take place on 3 October 2026 at Hotel Sky Sandton.
Speaking about this year's ceremony, Kabelo Ndonyane, Head of Partnerships at the South Africa Fashion Awards, said the event will celebrate both internationally recognised designers and emerging creatives.
He also highlighted the importance of recognising the work that happens away from the runway.
“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," said Ndonyane.
"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," he added.
Among this year's nominees in the fashion influencer categories are Bonang Matheba, DJ Zinhle and Boity Thulo, while Minnie Dlamini is among the nominees in the fashion icon category.
Last year's winners and honourees included prominent names such as David Tlale, Gert-Johan Coetzee and Voices of Soweto, setting the stage for another celebration of South African fashion talent.
Members of the public can now cast their votes for their favourite nominees ahead of the October ceremony.
List of nominees
1 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
2 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
3 BEST FASHION INFLUENCERS — 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
4 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
5 BEST MAKE-UP BRAND
- Gloei Beauty
- SwiitchBeauty
- Creative Glamour
- Inthusiasm
- Hermosa Flor Cosmetics
- Lula Fox
- Signature Cosmetics & Fragrances
- Mooiste Meisie
6 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
7 BEST FASHION RETAILER
- Mr Price
- AYANA
- Edgars
- The FIX
- Foschini
- Markham
- Archive
- Sportscene
- Woolworths
- Ackermans
8 BEST FASHION E-COMMERCE BRAND
- Bash
- Superbalist
- YDE
- MyRunway
- Edgars
- Dunns
- Mr Price Online
- Woolworths Online
9 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
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