To ensure that the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards remain of high standard, credible and fair, we rely on the knowledge and volunteering of a team of experts. We appoint a jury for three years. There has been one replacement this year – the second year of a three-year period. Included are three international judges, one from Germany, one from the United States / Cameroon 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. In addition to the jury, we have two independent auditors overseeing the judging process: Elisabeth Makumbi and John Shija.
This year the sponsors are The FIX, H&M South Africa, Polo Purpose and AKJP Studio.
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.
Sumendra Chetty
Sumendra Chetty founded Sumendra Chetty Consulting, bringing over a decade of experience across fashion, home, lifestyle and craft. Working at the intersection of commerce and culture, the consultancy offers strategic buying, creative brand direction, product curation and storytelling for brands and retailers, championing craftsmanship, sustainability, cultural preservation and artisan-led collaborations.
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.
John Shija
John Shija is an emerging markets investment professional with a passion for sustainable development and social impact. He has been an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa since 2013.
