From Senegalese statement pieces to South African denim, contemporary tailoring and emerging local labels, the JoburgStyle team embraced African design at SA Fashion Week
South African Fashion Week returned to Johannesburg from 20 to 25 October 2026, bringing together established fashion houses, emerging designers and some of the country’s most exciting creative talent for its Autumn/Winter 2027 runway presentations.
For the JoburgStyle team, fashion week was about more than watching the latest collections take to the runway. It was an opportunity to wear the work of designers shaping the African fashion landscape, champion local craftsmanship and put a personal spin on contemporary fashion.
Across five days of shows, JoburgStyle Editor, Bianca Emmerick, JoburgStyle Deputy Editor, Victoria Hill and friend of the brand, Derren Schoombie, stepped out in looks by Alia Bare, Novodonna, Silk ‘n Cotton and Fluidity – sourced from Create Connect Africa – celebrating everything from bold African prints and innovative knitwear to statement denim and modern tailoring.
Day 1: Bianca in Alia Bare for David Tlale’s Opening Show
20 OCTOBER 2026
SA Fashion Week opened with David Tlale’s Offsite presentation, featuring The Intern by DT, staged at the restored Johannesburg Library. The setting provided a fitting backdrop for an opening evening celebrating South African creativity and design.
For the occasion, Bianca wore a striking ensemble by Senegalese label Alia Bare, introducing an international African fashion perspective to the week’s opening look.
The outfit featured a strapless black dress with a matching shawl, paired with black-heeled boots. The combination of texture and proportion created a look that felt sophisticated without being overly formal.
Rooted in African identity, Alia Bare draws on Senegalese cultural heritage while embracing contemporary silhouettes and modern dressing. The label’s approach to craftsmanship and individuality made it a fitting choice for an evening dedicated to African fashion.
Day 2: Victoria in Unreleased Novodonna for Pierre Cardin
21 OCTOBER 2026
Day two saw the return of Pierre Cardin to the SA Fashion Week runway with Welcome Back to the Future, a presentation showcasing designs from the fashion house’s recent collections.
The evening also featured the Pierre Cardin Young Designers Award, providing a platform for emerging South African talent.
Victoria opted for a fashion-forward look by South African label Novodonna, wearing an unreleased poplin knit top: sleeveless, intricately patterned, black-and-cream, cinched at the waist, paired with a wide black statement belt and silver metallic handbag and jewellery.
The combination of an exclusive designer piece and wardrobe staples captured one of fashion week’s most appealing styling ideas: mixing emerging design with pieces already in your wardrobe.
The poplin knit top brought texture and contemporary design interest to the outfit, while the black skirt provided a classic foundation.
The result was understated but distinctive, allowing the unreleased Novodonna creation to take centre stage.
Day 3: Double Denim, the Silk ‘n Cotton Way
22 OCTOBER 2026
Day three brought a packed runway programme, beginning with the SA Fashion Week New Talent Search by J.C. Le Roux.
The showcase featured emerging labels including blackfaces apparel, Fresh_Till_Ngoku_Merch, Heru-Shezi, Kelengende, Martin John Bespoke, Michael Peter Reid, Ntwana, Sihle Zanele and Zour.
The evening continued with Black Coffee’s collaboration with Joburg Ballet, followed by presentations from Sober Design House and Thrrr…Phaaa!
For Victoria and Derren, the dress code was double denim, reimagined through the lens of South African label Silk ‘n Cotton.
Victoria wore a blue denim jacket featuring an all-over white stitched pattern, a belted waist and contrasting denim panels. She paired the statement piece with a black leather skort and heels, balancing the jacket’s relaxed silhouette with an edgier, more contemporary finish.
Derren complemented the look in a beige denim jacket and matching shorts, featuring bold black geometric patterns and a coordinating fabric belt. Knee-high boots added a fashion-forward edge to the outfit.
Together, the looks demonstrated two very different approaches to denim: one darker and more structured, the other playful and relaxed.
Silk ‘n Cotton celebrates African textile traditions, with a particular focus on hand-printed fabrics sourced from across the continent. By incorporating distinctive patterns and textile influences into contemporary clothing, the brand brings African craftsmanship into everyday fashion.
The coordinated outfits were also a reminder that matching doesn’t have to mean identical.
Day 4: A Fluidity Fashion Moment with NARS Artistry
23 OCTOBER 2026
Day four delivered another strong line-up of South African designers, including Colleen Eitzen, Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs and Irene Makhavhu Designs.
The second show featured Dali Ngceb etsha and Thabo Makhetha’s footwear and accessories collaboration with Tsonga, while Ephymol closed the evening with Introducing the New Jeaneration.
For the evening, Victoria and Derren stepped out in coordinating black-and-beige looks by Fluidity, a Johannesburg-based, women-owned fashion label.
Victoria wore an elegant cream and beige ensemble featuring a sheer organza blouse with voluminous sleeves and an oversized bow at the neckline. The blouse was paired with subtly shimmering, wide-leg tailored trousers, creating a look that balanced softness with structure.
Derren opted for the darker counterpart: a sheer black organza blouse with a dramatic necktie, glitter-flecked wide-leg trousers and a matching tailored jacket. The combination of transparent fabric, subtle sparkle and oversized tailoring gave the outfit a modern eveningwear feel.
The two looks complemented one another through their contrasting colour palettes, coordinated silhouettes and carefully considered textures.
Bianca also represented Fluidity on day four, making it a full JoburgStyle fashion moment for the South African label.
Founded by Kate and led alongside her daughter, Romy, Fluidity is known for expressive prints, versatile silhouettes and designs that celebrate individuality. Handmade in Johannesburg, the brand champions inclusive fashion, creating pieces for women across an extensive size range.
Adding the finishing touch to the evening, Victoria and Derren enjoyed a makeup experience with NARS Artistry at the brand’s Sandton City boutique before heading to the runway shows at The Forum in Hyde Park.
With statement tailoring, soft organza and polished makeup, day four delivered some of the team’s most glamorous looks of the week.
Day 5: Victoria Returns to Alia Bare with a Novodonna Twist
24 OCTOBER 2026
Day five featured Helon Melon’s Spring/Summer collection, presented by NU METRO Hyde Park, followed by runway showcases from Emelia D, Insydout Creatives and Anunes.
The evening’s programme concluded with From Field to Fashion, continuing SA Fashion Week’s celebration of design and creative expression.
For the occasion, Victoria returned to Senegalese label Alia Bare, this time styling a flowing black-and-beige printed ensemble with a silk belt by South African label Novodonna.
The look featured striking abstract and geometric motifs, wide sleeves and a relaxed silhouette. The contrasting silk belt defined the waist, introducing structure while allowing the fluidity of the garment to remain central to the look.
Paired with a classic black handbag and heels, the ensemble captured the appeal of contemporary African fashion: bold print, considered styling and a strong sense of identity.
Combining two African labels in one outfit also highlighted the creative possibilities of mixing designers, textiles and silhouettes to create something personal.
Beyond the Runway: Championing African Fashion
While the runway presentations offered a glimpse into the direction of South African fashion, JoburgStyle’s five days of dressing told another story: the importance of wearing and supporting the designers whose work is shaping the industry.
From the cultural influences of Senegal’s Alia Bare to the textile-driven approach of Silk ‘n Cotton, the expressive tailoring of Fluidity and the contemporary designs of Novodonna, each outfit reflected a different aspect of African fashion.
The team’s looks also demonstrated that designer fashion needn’t be reserved for a complete head-to-toe runway ensemble. Pairing an unreleased top with an existing skirt, styling denim with leather or using a statement belt to transform a flowing garment can create an entirely new fashion moment.
For JoburgStyle, SA Fashion Week was as much about the designers in the front row as those on the runway.
And if these five days proved anything, it’s that African fashion deserves to be worn, celebrated and seen.