The SA Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025 collections showcase brings a line-up of 40 designers and an exciting schedule of fashion-related events from 24 to 28 September in Johannesburg. This time around the country’s leading fashion organisation is making the stylish Melrose Arch precinct their new home.
“We are delighted to have luminaries like Mantsho, Erre, House of Olé, Naked Ape, 2017 Scouting Menswear Competition winner, Floyd Avenue, and Artho Eksteen, winner of the 2020 New Talent returning to the schedule,” says festival director Lucilla Booyzen. “We are equally thrilled to welcome Melrose Arch to our circle of partners who understand how to leverage and align their brands optimally with the soft power of fashion.”
All the make-up looks will be created in collaboration with the fashion designers and L’Oreal Paris.
All the SA Fashion Week highlights not to be missed
Described by the New York Times as one of South Africa’s most compelling fashion designers, Lezanne Viviers will launch a Spring Summer 25/26 collection titled DISCLOSURE, which seeks to reveal and unveil universal truth, by investigating the undisclosed.
The “Sizalwa Ngoobani” Collection by Mzukisi Mbane at Imprint takes “a look back inspired by a move forward.”
One of the country’s most creative signatures, The Bam Collective comes inspired by the ever-evolving sense of self. Jacques Bam’s Collection titled ‘DYNAMISM 24/25’ explores identity formation with clothing as its catalyst.
There will be a high-octane offering with Gert Johan Coetzee launching his London Fashion Week Collection.
Inspired by the ISUZU brand, the ISUZU LUXURY COLLECTIONS is a thrilling athleisure collaboration by designers Floyd Avenue, Belhauzen’s “Sakura Drive,” Collection, and House of Olé who will each incorporate a statement athleisure capsule story in their overall seasonal collection. One of the designers stands to scoop a R50 000 prize, says Booyzen. “Fashion and luxury automobility have never intersected quite like this before,” she says.
Shaldon Kopman of Naked Ape will open the next double bill. Naked Ape’s 100% natural “Afro Monk” collection pays homage to the “unassuming spiritual beings that grace our existence – often unnoticed yet profoundly impactful,” he explains.
Established label Helon Melon from Cape Town embarks on a journey into a world of “Gentle Magic”. Helen dresses musical icons like Karen Zoid and cinema greats, like Yvette Gayle, her Collections will be followed by Zamaswazi.
The evening wraps up with industry icon, Hangwani Nengovhela, of Rubicon’s “Medleys of Nature” collection drawing inspiration from the valleys, mountains, rivers, and forests of Venda. Rubicon has had a star-studded following since its inception including luminaries such as Basetsana Kumalo, Bucie Nkomo, Lizah James, Lynn Whitfield, and Zizo Tshwete.
The SA Fashion Week AW 25 Collections closes with a power pack line-up starting with the Mr. Price Scouting Menswear Competition. This will be Mr Price’s last season at SA Fashion Week, and they are featuring Eight up-and-coming talents competing for a cash prize of R50 000.00 from Mr. Price and a show at the SA Fashion Week AW 26.
Winner of the 2023 Scouting Menswear Competition, Sinchui, leads the pack followed by finalists – Candid, Rebirth, The Trend Setter from the North, Thobey Cooper, Undefined outdoor clothing, Victori, Waalid, and Yung Blood Apparel. The designers will all show sustainable fashion collections with a strong emphasis on printmaking.
Popularly known as the African trend dictator, Palesa Mokubung whose designs have graced local celebrities such as Lira, Carol Bouwer, and Brenda Mtambo, solo show will be a reflective collection. Mokubung, explores the past, present, and future of her 19-year-long journey with design, focussing on the consciousness that lies within the “I am”.
Collections by Sungoddess and Sober’s collection called “A coloured People”, as well as Mina from Mozambique and Thato Matabane’s 10-year-old AFRIKANSWISS label, follow next. Matabane ‘s AW 25 collection celebrates the life of his great-grandmother, Sekgametse Masoko, as a designer in Sophiatown, incorporating influences from her Khoisan lineage.
The three-day celebration of fashion design, creativity, and workmanship ends flamboyantly with Enhle Mbali Motshwa’s “AmaZulu – The Heavenly Collection” for her Essi Apparrel label whose clients include Beyonce, Boity Thulo, Linda Mtoba, and Connie Chuane.
When: Running from 24 to 28 September, various times
Where: Melrose Arch, Whiteley Road, Birnam, Johannesburg
Website: safashionweek.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @safashionweek
Instagram: @safashionweek
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