Now in its seventh year, the prestigious Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards 2025 return to celebrate the designers, makers, and changemakers shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and creative fashion ecosystem in South Africa and across the continent.

These awards honour innovation, sustainability, and integrity across nine categories, from emerging design and material innovation to retail and trans-seasonal design.

Each year, the finalists showcase a growing commitment to local production, circular design, and social impact—the core values driving Twyg’s mission.

Amplifying African Sustainable Fashion

‘With the seventh edition of the awards, the ecosystem of African sustainable fashion grows, with a deeper sense of responsibility towards fashion entrepreneurs, businesses, creatives and designers. We know the work and intention that goes into every collection, every garment and every business. We need to acknowledge and share this labour of care with our readers and the wider fashion market.’

~ Jackie May, founder of Twyg

The dedication to these sustainable practices is generously supported by the awards’ partners, including Polo South Africa, Bash, H&M South Africa, Mohair South Africa, and Merchants on Long. These partnerships ensure Twyg can continue to shine a light on ethical fashion designers.

Furthermore, two significant monetary prizes directly support the growth of these businesses. The Emerging Designer Award presented by H&M South Africa winner will receive R100 000 from H&M South Africa, and the Changemaker Award presented by Bash winner will receive R100 000 from Bash (TFG).

‘We’re proud to once again support the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards, to recognise local designers and changemakers who are shaping the future of fashion through sustainability and innovation.’

~ Caroline Nelson, country manager, H&M South Africa

Lauren Moore, marketing manager at Mohair South Africa, also notes their pride in partnering with the event, which celebrates ethical, sustainable, and natural fibres. They value opportunities that highlight the positive impact of natural fibres in fashion, championing innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability.

Similarly, Tiaan Nagel, creative director of Merchants on Long, shares the spirit behind their partnership for this year’s inaugural Pan-African Designer Award, noting it reflects a spirit of collaboration, a sense of community and an appreciation for elevated African design.

Meet the 2025 Finalists

A new Twyg Awards jury, appointed for 2025–2027, selected this year’s finalists. The collective brings together seven respected voices from South Africa, Kenya, Germany, and the United States, representing expertise across fashion, sustainability, climate, business, and design.

The 2025 jury includes Martina Glomb (Germany), Bee Diamondhead (South Africa), Idelle Taye (United States/Cameroon), Stella Hertantyo (South Africa), Silvia Tonui (Kenya) and Bielle Bellingham (South Africa).

Here is the complete list of finalists across the nine categories:

  • Accessory Award: Earth Age | Changing Facets | Nic&Nic
  • Emerging Designer Award presented by H&M: Casbeth | Makhudai | Kleinmuis
  • Innovative Design and Materials Award presented by Polo South Africa: Sealand | Ballo | Botanical Nomad
  • Merchants on Long Pan-African Artisanal Award: WOTE K.I. Design | AAKS | Osei Duro
  • Retail Award: The Sewing Café | Thrift Fest | Vintage with Love
  • Student Award: The_Collectn | Carlize van Zyl | The Odd
  • Tastemaker Award: Innocent Ndlovu | Lethabo ‘Boogy’Maboi | Yasmin Furmie
  • Trans-seasonal Design Award: Boyde | Wanda Lephoto | MmusoMaxwell

It is noteworthy that the jury decided not to select finalists (or a winner) for the Farm-to-Fashion Award, as none of the nominees met all the category’s criteria.

The Winners’ Reveal

The winners will be announced on 27 November 2025 at an event in Cape Town, hosted by Khensani Mohlatlole, a writer, fibre artist, and fashion historian. The Changemaker Award winner, presented by Bash, will also be announced on the same evening.

Twyg, the organiser, is a Cape Town-based non-profit media platform dedicated to driving sustainability and positive change in Africa’s fashion, design, and lifestyle industries through storytelling, events, and education.

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