Saturday night, beneath the dazzling lights of Hotel Sky Sandton, the South Africa Fashion Awards 2025, in association with MondayRepublic.com and Mentos, unveiled the names shaping the future of African fashion. From established icons to rising stars, the evening was a luminous celebration of creativity, identity, and craftsmanship, bringing together designers, models, influencers, and cultural pioneers from across the nation.
Hosted by the charismatic Samkelo Maluleke, the awards delivered a captivating mix of glamour and authenticity. Presenters including Ayanda G. Thabethe, Munaka Muthabi, Siphesihle Ndaba, Zenande Mfenyana, Thabiso Bapela, and Linda Mtambo took to the stage to honour the individuals and brands that have elevated South African fashion onto the global stage.
The evening opened with a powerful tribute to the transformative force of African design, reminding audiences that “the world cannot celebrate what it cannot see”. That sentiment carried through the night as the South Africa Fashion Awards spotlighted a generation determined to make fashion both a creative and cultural force.
2025 WINNERS
Best Fashion Designer 2025 sponsored by Mentos – Rich Mnisi
Best Stylist 2025 – Thobeka Mbane
Best Fashion Influencer 2025 sponsored by Monday Republic – Boity Thulo
Best Fashion Icon 2025 sponsored by Skin Functional – Kim Jayde
Best Make-up Brand 2025 – Creative Glamour
Best Skincare Brand 2025 – Skin Functional
Best Fashion Retailer 2025 – THE FIX
Best Fashion E-commerce Brand 2025 – Dunns
Best Male Model 2025 sponsored by Avante Brandy – Rasaq Akinwunmi
Best Female Model 2025 – Nondumiso Beattie
Best Emerging Fashion Designer 2025 sponsored by Black Crown – Katlego Mokwana
Best Hair Stylist 2025 – Jawad Maphoto
Best Fashion Photographer 2025 sponsored by Los Lacos Tequila – Pierre Van Vuuren
Best Sustainable Fashion 2025 – Yarnh
Best Modelling Agency 2025 – ICE Models
Best South African Jewellery Brand 2025 – Jenna Clifford
Best Streetwear Brand 2025 – Boys of Soweto
Best Footwear Brand 2025 – Bathu
Best Makeup Artist 2025 – Vuyo Varoy
Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 – David Tlale
Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Award 2025 – Laduma Ngxokolo (MAXHOSA AFRICA)
Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Award 2025 – Gert-Johan Coetzee
Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Award 2025 – Refilwe Modiselle
An Evening of Vision and Vitality
The night was more than a ceremony; it was a manifesto for African fashion. Each winner reflected a growing movement that fuses tradition with innovation, spotlighting homegrown excellence with global resonance. The partnership between MondayRepublic.com, Africa’s fast-growing marketplace platform, and Mentos, known for its vibrant spirit and optimism, symbolised the synergy between commerce, creativity, and confidence in the continent’s cultural future.
Live performances, cinematic visuals, and heartfelt speeches filled the Opera-style venue with emotion and pride. When David Tlale accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award, the standing ovation captured three decades of his impact on couture, mentorship, and global representation of South African fashion.
As the lights dimmed, attendees raised a toast to a new chapter — one where South Africa doesn’t merely follow fashion but leads it.
About the South Africa Fashion Awards
The South Africa Fashion Awards, produced by Republic Africa in association with the World Fashion Awards, honours the designers, brands, and creators shaping the evolution of African fashion. The annual event forms part of Republic International Group’s global fashion ecosystem across 15 countries, celebrating authenticity, creativity, and cultural excellence.
Title Sponsor: MondayRepublic.com
Official Partners: Mentos, Skin Functional, Avante Brandy, Dechavel Watches, Mountain Falls, Los Lacos Tequila, Château Gâteaux and Black Crown.
Broadcast Partner: VooVix TV
Produced by: Republic Africa, Republic International Group, and World Fashion Awards
Press Contact:
Media & PR Department
South Africa Fashion Awards 2025
Email: kabelo@safashionawards.co.za
Website: www.safashionawards.co.za
