The nominees for the 2026 South Africa Fashion Awards have been announced, with public voting now open ahead of the awards ceremony on Saturday, 3 October at Hotel Sky in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Nondumiso Beattie. (Image supplied)
Now in its second year, the awards have expanded to 21 publicly voted categories covering a broad range of the local fashion industry.
This year's nominees include established designers and fashion houses alongside emerging creatives, models, stylists, photographers, beauty brands, retailers and industry executives.
Two categories have also been added for 2026: Best Fashion Campaign and Fashion Executive of the Year.
The former recognises fashion advertising, collaborations and cultural activations, while the latter focuses on the business leaders working across marketing, commercial strategy and growth within the industry.
The awards are supported by L’Or Espresso South Africa, Mentos South Africa, Dechavel, Mondayrepublic.com, Madepossible.ai and Black Crown.
South Africa Fashion Awards 2026 full nominee list
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
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
Best Fashion Influencer
- 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
Best Fashion Icon
- 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
Best Make-up Brand
- Gloei Beauty
- SwiitchBeauty
- Creative Glamour
- Inthusiasm
- Hermosa Flor Cosmetics
- Lula Fox
- Signature Cosmetics & Fragrances
- Mooiste Meisie
Best Skincare Brand
- 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
Best Fashion Retailer
- Mr Price
- Ayana
- Edgars
- The Fix
- Foschini
- Markham
- Archive
- Sportscene
- Woolworths
- Ackermans
Best Fashion E-commerce Brand
- Bash
- Superbalist
- YDE
- MyRunway
- Edgars
- Dunns
- Mr Price Online
- Woolworths Online
Best Male Model
- 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
Best Female Model
- 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
Best Emerging Fashion Designer
- 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
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
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
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
Best Modelling Agency
- 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
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
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
Best Footwear Brand
- Peset
- Bathu
- Nik’Ana by Lufiano
- Hibacci
- Yenza Africa
- Vaya Footwear
- Veldskoen Shoes
- Froggie
- Drip Footwear
- Tsonga
- Monosi Movements
Best Make-Up Artist
- Stephy Kwanaite
- Nomsa Madida
- Nono Linchwe
- Bokamoso Dikobe (BK MUA)
- Renee de Wit
- Precious Xaba
- Fanyana Maseko
- Vuyo Varoy
- Nthato Mashishi
Best Fashion Campaign
- 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
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
Special honours
Alongside the 21 categories decided by public vote, the awards will present seven Special Honours. These recipients are selected by the South Africa Fashion Awards and are not part of the public voting process.
- 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 is now open
With the nominees announced, the public can vote across all 21 competitive categories. Voting is open to voters in South Africa, across Africa and internationally.
Click here to vote.
Tickets are on sale
Tickets for the second annual South Africa Fashion Awards are also available, with the ceremony bringing together figures from across the fashion industry.
Event: 2nd Annual South Africa Fashion Awards
Date:Saturday, 3 October 2026
Venue:Hotel Sky, Sandton, Johannesburg
Dress code:Black tie / fashion glamour
Tickets are available here.
