Although we respect and admire all our judges, we think it’s a good idea to shake up the jury every three years. Not only does this inject new energy and introduce different skill sets into the awards process, but designers also have fresh eyes learning about innovative and sustainable fashion.
We have appointed our new jury for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Included are three international judges, one from Germany, one from the United States and another from Kenya, and three South Africans. Collectively, they bring a depth of knowledge in media, fashion, sustainability, climate, design and business to our awards: we are very proud to announce to introduce them:
Martina Glomb
Triggered by the punk movement, Martina Glomb turned her passion for fashion, craft and DIY into a profession. She studied fashion design at the University of the Arts in Bremen and became a couture tailor. For over a decade, she worked as a designer at the design studios of Vivienne Westwood in London and Italy. She was responsible for the notorious Anglomania line, the Red Label line and various other collections and projects.
Martina Glomb is now a professor of fashion design at the Hochschule Hannover, Germany. She specialises in design methods with a focus on slow fashion and sustainability in teaching, research and transfer. As founder of the USE-LESS Centre for Sustainable Strategies, she has initiated various interdisciplinary projects and exhibitions with universities and practice partners, aiming to merge science, education and design. For her works, she received the science award for Lower Saxony in 2023.
Bee Diamondhead
Bee Diamondhead is a creative director, stylist and fashion editor based in Johannesburg. Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Bee started her career as a fashion assistant in South Africa and the UK after earning qualifications in creative brand communications, fashion styling and marketing. Eighteen years later, she has created a body of era-defining work as a stylist, creative strategist, fashion editor and brand consultant for some of the world’s biggest and best. Bee uses her work to elevate and develop new talent, championing them in every room she enters. She kicks down locked doors to centre their perspectives and amplify their voices in creative industry spaces.
Idelle Taye
Idelle Taye is the founder of Guzangs, a platform celebrating and empowering African artisans through fashion. Born in Houston and raised in Yaoundé, Cameroon, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Midwestern University in 2007. In 2014, she earned her Master of Science, building a strong foundation in healthcare before transitioning into entrepreneurship.
In 2020, she launched Guzangs, which officially debuted in 2022 to address the lack of global representation for African fashion. As curator, Idelle highlights exceptional work from African designers, promoting self-sufficiency and cultural pride.
Now based in Dallas, Texas, Idelle blends creativity and vision to champion African craftsmanship and heritage. Her journey from nursing to fashion reflects her commitment to impactful change and cultural empowerment.
Stella Hertantyo
Stella Hertantyo is a Cape Town–based impact communications specialist passionate about storytelling as a driver of social and environmental justice. She currently leads the communications team at the African Climate Alliance, where she drives strategy, press engagement, and youth network storytelling across the continent. She has also co-hosted the prominent sustainable-fashion show Conscious Style Podcast, and her written work — covering sustainability, fashion, and human rights — has been widely published. She holds a BA in Multimedia Journalism and a Post-Graduate in Sustainable Development.
Silvia Tonui
Silvia Tonui is a business strategist and creative economy practitioner passionate about connecting African artists and fashion designers to global markets. She has led initiatives like the British Council’s Creative DNA, supporting creatives through incubation, mentorship, and international showcases such as Tribal Chic, IATF Trade Fair and Africa Fashion Week London. Her work champions the idea that creativity must go hand in hand with business acumen, market access, and collaboration to build sustainable legacies in Africa’s cultural industries.
Bielle Bellingham
Bielle Bellingham is a Business and Brand Director, cultural strategist, and former editor whose career spans creative direction, design journalism, and lecturing in design history and critical thinking. Formerly the editor of ELLE Decoration and a contributor to international design publications, she has championed design as a force for cultural reflection and transformation. As Executive Creative Director of Decorex Africa and 100% Design Africa, she reimagined exhibitions with bold vision, positioning them as platforms for innovation and dialogue. Today at Chommies, she leads the brand’s marketing and business strategy, building experiences and campaigns that celebrate African craftsmanship and quality design while broadening its influence locally and internationally.
Elisabeth Makumbi
Elisabeth Makumbi is a management consultant at Bridgespan and an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. She is deeply committed to advancing sustainability and is a strong advocate for the principles of the circular economy, applying her expertise to drive impactful solutions at the intersection of climate, policy, and social impact.
Before joining Bridgespan, Elisabeth worked at the World Bank and at Webber Wentzel Attorneys. She holds an LL.B. from the University of Pretoria and an LL.M. in International Law from Georgetown University. In addition, she earned a certificate in Systems Change and Social Impact from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.
