Now in its seventh year, the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards return to celebrate the designers, makers, and changemakers shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and creative fashion ecosystem in South Africa and across the continent.
The 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 values that lie at the heart of Twyg’s mission.
“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”
“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,” says Jackie May, founder of Twyg. “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.”
Winners will be announced on 27 November 2025 at an event in Cape Town, hosted by Khensani Mohlatlole, writer, fibre artist, and fashion historian.
It’s thanks to our sponsors and partners that Twyg is able to shine a light on sustainable and ethical fashion designers. Our 2025 partners include Polo South Africa, Bash, H&M South Africa, Mohair South Africa and Merchants on Long.
This year, the Emerging Designer Award presented by H&M South Africa winner will receive R100 000 from H&M South Africa, while the Changemaker Award presented by Bash winner will receive R100 000 from Bash (TFG). Both investments directly support the growth of sustainable fashion businesses in South Africa.
“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,” says Caroline Nelson, country manager, H&M South Africa.
Lauren Moore, marketing manager at Mohair South Africa, adds, “Mohair South Africa is proud to partner with the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards, an event that celebrates ethical, sustainable, and natural fibres. We value opportunities that highlight the positive impact of natural fibres in fashion, championing innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability.”
Tiaan Nagel, creative director of Merchants on Long, says the partnership for this year’s inaugural Pan-African Designer Award reflects “a spirit of collaboration, a sense of community and an appreciation for elevated African design.”
2025 Finalists
- Accessory Award: Earth Age | Changing Facets | Nic&Nic
- Emerging Designer Award presented by H&M: Casbeth | Makhundai | Klein Muis
- 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
The Changemaker Award presented by Bash winner will be announced on 27 November.
This year’s finalists were selected by a new Twyg Awards jury, appointed for 2025–2027, which brings together seven respected voices from South Africa, Kenya, Germany, and the United States. Collectively, they represent experience across fashion, sustainability, climate, business, and design. The jury made a decision not to select finalists (or a winner) for the Farm-to-Fashion Award. None of the nominees met all the criteria of the category sufficiently.
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). The judging process was adjudicated by John Shija and Elisabeth Makumbi.
- Feature image: Top row (left to right) – Wanda Lephoto, AAKS, Ballo, WOTE K.I Design, Makhudai; Bottom row (left to right) – Sealand Gear, MMUSOMAXWELL, Boyde, OSEI-DURO, Changing Facets.
