In its twenty-ninth year, SA Fashion Week returns with its Autumn/Winter 2027 collection showcase from 21 to 25 October, featuring a line-up of established designers and a new generation showing for the first time at the stylish Forum in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.
Following its landmark collaboration with Pierre Cardin, the fashion event brings together established South African names and new creative voices across couture, tailoring, menswear, streetwear, heritage, craft and contemporary African design.
With the latest collection celebrating and platforming South African craftsmanship, AW27 remains a strong showcase of the skilled hands in South African workrooms and the creativity that sets South African design apart on an international stage. As such, the week reminds us that investment in skills, from the classroom to the atelier, matters to the entire industry.
“SAFW has always believed a sustainable, designer-led fashion industry must be built from the bottom up. Strengthening education and skills ultimately strengthens the entire value chain,” says Lucilla Booyzen, founder of South African Fashion Week.
All the SA Fashion Week highlights not to be missed
The line-up reflects the current landscape of South African fashion, with designers two decades into their business, a new generation stepping onto the runway for the first time, and the contemporary urban individuality SAFW has developed and shown for 29 years.
Day 1 of AW27 opens with one of the most recognisable names in South African fashion, David Tlale, returning to the SA Fashion Week stage with his AW27 collection. Tlale also introduces a SA Fashion Week first: Interns by David Tlale, which presents five young designers’ collections on one stage.
Day 2 features the Pierre Cardin Young Designers Award – an initiative that aims to discover and support emerging student talents globally and features local workshops, sketching sessions, portfolio reviews, and a design showcase.
Day 3 is the busiest, opening with The SAFW New Talent Search Powered by J.C. Le Roux. The competition introduces nine emerging designers: Khangwelo Nemukongwe, Kwanga Qusheka, Lindokuhle Hopewell, Martin Steenkamp, Michael Peter Reid, Mikhail Brown, Sihle Khumalo and Zane Samuels
“JC Le Roux is proud to partner with South African Fashion Week, a platform that celebrates the originality, talent and entrepreneurial spirit of South African designers. Both our brands share a deep connection to celebration, fashion and local creativity. Through this partnership, we are delighted to raise a glass to the designers shaping the future of South African fashion and to the industry that supports them,” says Kim Brandt, Brand Manager: Wines.
Black Coffee later unveils more architectural flair with Unfolding, whilst luxury street brand TRRR…PHAAA! presents The New Resonance, and Sober Design House marks 20 years of timeless fashion with The Next Chapter.
Day 4 features the return of the sophisticated Colleen Eitzen with Origin; the contemporary Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs presents The New Earth – An Exploration of Transformation and Irene Makhavhu presents Tshedza, meaning ‘light’. Menswear label Ephymol explores The Rebirth of Slow Classic, and Thabo Makhetha presents Eako, Eahao (What’s Mine Is Yours), whilst Dali Ngcebetsha explores Metamorphosis.
Day 5 opens with sustainable brand HELON MELON presenting Helon Melon Always On, Ana Nunes showing her ANUNES collection called EKWIKWI – Soma Irene, INSYD/OWT Creatives presenting Living a Creative Reality, and Emelia D returning to the runway as winner of the SS26 Scouting Menswear Competition.
The penultimate show on Saturday evening brings the ball to the runway with Field to Fashion, whilst Gert-Johan Coetzee, one of South Africa’s most loved designers, closes out SA Fashion Week AW27 with his collection, Reflection.
Beyond the fashion, SAFW is pleased to welcome BioMedical Emporium as its Official Skincare Partner, and as a South African, female-founded business, it is a natural fit for the platform.
“Fashion celebrates how we present ourselves to the world, and BioMedical Emporium exists to make sure the skin beneath it is as strong and healthy as the confidence it carries: wear your strength, love your ski,” says Dr Judey Pretorius, Founder and Dermatological Biochemist, BioMedical Emporium.
Cost: From R375pp, book via Quicket. David Tlale and The Intern by DT Showcase on 20 OCTOBER is by invitation only.
When: Running from Tuesday, 21 to Sunday, 25 October at various times
Where: The Forum, Cnr Jan Smuts Avenue and William Nicol Drive, 7th Floor Hyde Park Corner, 6th Rd, Hyde Park
Website: safashionweek.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @safashionweek
Instagram: @safashionweek
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