What is South African Fashion Week - and How Can Designers Show Their Collections at SAFW?

A question we are often asked is: what is South African Fashion Week, and how can I show my collection at SAFW? South African Fashion Week is a designer-led industry platform. Since 1997, SAFW has played a central role in supporting South African fashion designers and connecting them with the broader fashion industry.

The SAFW Collections are an important moment in the calendar, but they are not the full story. They form part of a broader year-round ecosystem that connects designers with media, buyers, sponsors, consumers, retailers and industry stakeholders.

At SAFW, we give designers access to the room - but designers must be ready to use that access.

Showing at SAFW is not simply a one-season moment. It works best when it forms part of a longer-term vision for visibility, positioning and commercial growth. Designers who enter the SAFW platform should be ready to present their work professionally, engage with the industry and follow through on the opportunities that may arise. SAFW offers access, structure, visibility, credibility and opportunity - and the designer must be ready to convert it.

For designers who supply stores, have their own store or trade online, and are ready to take the next step, SAFW offers a professional platform within South Africa’s fashion system. The value of showing at SAFW lies not only in the runway presentation, but in the broader industry positioning that comes with being part of the platform. It is an opportunity to be seen, to build credibility, to engage with the market and to strengthen your place within the South African fashion industry.

Designers interested in showing their collections at SAFW can submit their application here:

South African Fashion Week
Where Design Becomes Industry
Since 1997