South African industry leaders join a powerful line-up of designers, retailers and fashion executives at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow this September
The BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2026 returns to Moscow from 28 to 30 September, bringing together some of the world’s most influential fashion leaders from fast-growing economies. Now in its fourth edition, the summit has become one of the largest international fashion business events, with African voices taking centre stage this year.
As an accredited BRICS event, last year’s summit welcomed more than 15,000 attendees from over 60 countries. The 2026 programme places a strong focus on Africa’s expanding fashion industry, creating opportunities for collaboration, exports and cross-continental partnerships.
South African leaders represent the continent in Moscow
South Africa will be represented by Stephen Manzini, CEO of Soweto Fashion Week and the South African Fashion Association, alongside Colleen Eitzen, co-founder of leading fashion retailer The Space.
They will join an impressive line-up of African fashion leaders, including:
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Susan Sabet – Egyptian Fashion & Design Council
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Mahlet Teklemariam – Hub of Africa Fashion Week
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Hind Joudar – Maroc Fashion Week
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Nana Addo Tamakloe – Accra Fashion Week
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Brian James Kihindas – Kenya Fashion Council
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Mmantlha Sankoloba – Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association
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Kalistu Ramos Mukoroli – MTC Windhoek Fashion Week
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Tery Carola – Seychelles Fashion Week
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Dawson Deng – South Sudan Fashion Week
Together, these industry figures will explore new partnerships between Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
BRICS+ Fashion Summit creates new export opportunities
Over three days, African brands and manufacturers will have the opportunity to network with international buyers, exchange expertise and discuss future collaborations.
For South African fashion businesses, the summit offers valuable access to new export markets across emerging economies.
Previous editions have already produced tangible outcomes. Botswana’s House of Ditso is exploring expansion into Russia and CIS markets, while MTC Windhoek Fashion Week is developing a designer exchange programme with Moscow Fashion Week.
A unified future for African Fashion Weeks
One of the summit’s most significant developments came through a meeting led by Brian James Kihindas, Director of Nairobi Fashion Week and Kenya Fashion Council.
For the first time, organisers from East, West, North and Southern Africa gathered around one table to discuss greater continental collaboration.
The initiative has since grown into an active network connecting fashion week organisers across Africa.
“In Moscow, inspired by the broader BRICS framework of multilateral cooperation, we made a collective decision: to build a unified umbrella body for African fashion week conveners,” says Brian James Kihindas.
“What started as a pivotal meeting in Moscow has evolved into an active, everyday network driven by our dedicated digital community hub, where conveners regularly exchange insights on production standards, buyer acquisition, sponsor engagement and event logistics suited for African markets.”
The collaboration aims to strengthen cross-border trade, improve designer mobility and increase Africa’s collective influence within the global fashion industry.
Stephen Manzini on Africa’s growing global influence
Returning to Moscow for another edition of the summit, Stephen Manzini believes the event plays a vital role in amplifying African creativity on the world stage.
“The BRICS+ Fashion Summit is a critical communication platform for emerging countries, especially for Africa,” says Manzini.
“It provides a rare space where our voices, stories and design philosophies are seen and respected on equal footing. For African creatives, it’s a gateway to connect with like-minded partners from the Global South, share our cultural richness and position fashion as both a creative and economic force.”
Moscow Fashion Week returns alongside the summit
Running alongside the summit, Moscow Fashion Week will take place from 26 September to 1 October 2026.
The programme will feature more than 70 runway shows from brands representing over ten countries, including Türkiye, Sri Lanka, Spain and China, reinforcing Moscow’s growing role as a global meeting point for emerging fashion markets.
