The global gaze shifts to Shanghai Fashion Week (SHFW), where South Africa's creative skills are centered around. Talent, innovation and cultural storytelling defines this moment as a South African brand and collaborates with the Rethinking Development (DR) and the South African Consulate in Shanghai to present an artistic and economic showcase.
Beyond the runway, SHFW offers an influential platform to position South Africa as a destination for creative excellence, investment and global influencers. The initiative highlights world-class capabilities, raises national brands and opens up commercial opportunities for local designers to enter China's booming luxury and retail markets.
SHFW, which will be held from March 25th to April 1st, 2025, is more than Fashion Week. This is an entry point for new markets, strategic collaboration and economic visibility. The purpose is clear as the creative sector in South Africa step into this global runway. It's about creating fascinating, connected, and lasting impact.
South African designers going to Shanghai Fashion Week
The curated designer selection represents the excellence of the country's design, from avant-garde couture to rethinking the aesthetics of heritage.
David Tlale: South African fashion icon David Tlale is celebrated with his bold and dramatic couture and high fashion storytelling proficiency. Since launching the label of the same name in 2003, Tlale has been a staple of New York Fashion Week, showing off its gorgeous, avant-garde collection.
Appreciation and career highlights
Winner of the Elle New Talent Award (2003) – Early recognition for his innovative design approach. The first South African designer to present solo in NYFW (2012) – a historic moment in African fashion on the global stage. Published at Paris Fashion Week (2022) – expanding his international influence. Ambassador of the Brutal Fruit Campaign (2015) – Merger of fashion and lifestyle branding. It is worn by Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell and Zidenna. He has solidified his position as a global luxury designer. “Internship by David Tlale” reality show judges – a platform that teaches young South African designers.
With showrooms in South Africa and New York, Tlale continues to defend Africa's richness, merging rich textures, intricate embroidery and bold silhouettes with contemporary couture with cultural depth.
Rich Mnisi: A boundary-breaking designer, Rich Mnisi redefines Africa's luxury through an artistic gender fluidity collection. His work combines heritage, pop culture and a bold colour palette, making him one of South Africa's most influential contemporary designers.
Appreciation and career highlights
2019 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 РRecognized impact on fashion and entrepreneurship. LVMH Award Semi-Finalist (2019) РRecognised at the global fashion stage. Collaboration with Adidas, Coca-Cola and Disney Рpushing African design into a global retail partnership. Arsenal FC's 2023 away kit (collaboration with Adidas) РA groundbreaking moment in African sportswear from European football. Clothed Beyonc̩, Naomi Campbell, Burna Boy, Ciara Рcementing her status as fashion disruptors.
Mnisi's work is personal and political, and often celebrates strange identities, African mythology, and indigenous storytelling. His designs blur the line between fashion and art and have gained a global recognition to modernize African aesthetics.
Mantsho (Palesa Mokubung): Palesa Mokubung, the first African designer to collaborate with H&M, is a visionary of African femininity and print storytelling. Her brand Mantsho, which means “black is beautiful,” is a homage to the strength and elegance of African women.
Appreciation and career highlights
The first African designer to create a global collection at H&M (2019) – a groundbreaking moment in South African fashion. Dakar Fashion Week Regular – Introducing African craftsmanship on the continental stage. Wearing by Beyoncé and Temiotedra – promoting her international appeal. It was named the “game changer” of South African fashion by True Love Magazine. Her cultural influence and design excellence is recognized. In collaboration with Woolworths South Africa, we expanded African prints to mainstream retail fashion.
Mokubung's design combines heritage with modern elegance, making Mantsho a powerful global brand in Africa's luxurious ways.
Imprint ZA (Mzukisi Mbane): Mzukisi Mbane's imprint Za is afro-flistic, bold, non-African. His designs are rooted in storytelling and identity, as they celebrate heritage through prints and patterns.
Appreciation and career highlights
Winner: Heritage Designer of the Year South Africa – recognized for his contributions to fashion preservation in Africa. It has been featured many times during South African Fashion Week (SAFW). This is a staple food in modern African designs. Clothed Elsa Mazimbo and local South African icon – gaining traction as a cultural taste maker. Advocating LGBTQ+ visibility in African ways – use design as a medium of expression and expression. We started our ready-made collection in 2022. He expanded his brand into luxury streetwear that is easy to access.
Imprint ZA stands at the intersection of history, futurism and rebellion, pushing African prints into a new era of style and self-expression.
Molebatsi (Jessica Jane Molebatsi): A brand based on love, unity and storytelling, Molebatsi is the brainchild of designer Jessica Jane Molebatsi, who aims to bridge culture through fashion alongside her husband.
Appreciation and career highlights
Regulars at Milan Fashion Week – expanding South African couture to a European audience. Designed for local and international red carpets. It combines traditional African elements with Western tailoring. Champion's inclusiveness and intercultural love in fashion – inspired by her interracial marriage and South African diversity.
Molebatsi's designs are elegant, elegant, timeless, embodying the modern African aesthetic that combines heritage with high fashion.
Why this is important in SHFW 2025
South African designers don't just present fashion. They present culture, history and innovation to audiences around the world. Shanghai Fashion Week (SHFW) offers a strategic entry point into China's lucrative luxury market, where demand for authentic, high quality African designs is growing.
Through their work, these designers are consistent with the brand's goal of positioning South Africa as a leader in fashion, creativity and economic opportunity, showing off the country's talent, craftsmanship and global competitiveness.
