After 28 years of shaping South Africa’s designer-led fashion industry, South African Fashion Week (SAFW) has announced a strategic pause this season to recalibrate and reshape the future. With global supply chains under pressure, the rise of fast fashion, and the growing urgency around sustainability, the traditional model of fashion week requires change. This moment is framed not as an end, but as a thoughtful recalibration, an opportunity to re-evaluate, realign, and begin crafting the next phase in marketing the Creative Designer Fashion Industry.
“I believe it is vital that we take a season to listen, think, and reflect together as a designer community and the industry at large, so that we can shape the best new direction and secure a thriving future for our industry,” says SAFW founder and director Lucilla Booyzen.
Since its founding in 1997, SAFW has stood as a pioneering platform for discovering, supporting, and marketing South African designers both locally and internationally. For nearly three decades, it has created vital opportunities for creatives to present their work, connect with buyers, and gain visibility in global markets. From the celebrated New Talent Search and Fashion Fusion Project, to the Buyers’ Lounge and retail-focused initiatives, the platform has consistently fused artistry with business sense, ensuring that designers not only showcased their creativity but also built sustainable careers.
Now, with exciting opportunities on the horizon, this pause is designed to integrate nearly 30 years of research, knowledge, and insights into a new, future-ready model. The vision is to build something dynamic and suited to the realities of both the South African market and the broader Global South, while still maintaining strong connections to the Global North. Central to this process will be collaboration with designers, industry stakeholders, retailers, buyers, sponsors, and the wider creative community to ensure that the next chapter of SAFW reflects the needs of the entire fashion value chain.
Importantly, this recalibration does not mean silence. During this period, SAFW will continue to spotlight designers’ stories, share new collections, and celebrate creative evolution across its digital platforms, guiding consumers directly to where they can find and purchase local fashion. In this way, SAFW remains committed to supporting the ecosystem even while stepping back to rethink its flagship showcase.
As the industry stands at a crossroads, this moment signals more than a pause. It is a decisive act of renewal to ensure that South African fashion continues to thrive, innovate, and lead in a rapidly shifting global landscape. With a legacy of nearly three decades behind it, and a clear vision for the future, SA Fashion Week is poised to return sharper, stronger, and more impactful than ever.
