With South African Fashion Week (SAFW) Spring/Summer 2025 strutting into its sleek new venue, The Forum at Hyde Park Corner (Apr 24–26), we figured it’s the perfect time to pull together a stylish survival guide for SAFW.
From what to wear to how to navigate the scene, here are 10 pointers to help you work the week like a pro. Plus, we tapped a few local fashion veterans for their tried-and-true advice. Whether you're a fashion week first-timer or just a little out of practice, we've got you covered.
1. Wear what makes you feel good
Over the years, a neutral-toned dress code has been suggested at SAFW – but rules are made to be broken. Attendees often show up in bold colours and striking prints, so don’t be afraid to express your personal style. Confidence is always the best accessory.2. Fuel up beforehand
Attending a full day of shows can be a marathon, especially with drinks flowing and little to no food on offer. Make sure to eat and hydrate beforehand to keep your energy up throughout the day.3. Start conversations and network
Don’t overthink interactions – everyone’s figuring it out, and status isn’t always clear. Be open, take the initiative, and treat the event as a great opportunity to connect. The easiest person to network with is often the one seated next to you, so don’t be afraid to spark a conversation.4. Bring a friend (if you can)
Flying solo is totally fine, but having a friend along makes the experience more relaxed – and a lot more fun.5. Do your homework
Familiarise yourself with the designers showing on the day you're attending. It’s a great conversation starter and helps you connect more meaningfully with the event.6. Arrive on time
Aim to arrive about 15 – 20 minutes before the first show starts. Too early, and you’ll find yourself awkwardly doing laps around the venue.7. Be adaptable
Just as arriving on time is important, so is being prepared for delays – SAFW show schedules often shift throughout the night, so go with the flow and keep a flexible mindset.8. Front-row upgrade hack
Seats are usually assigned, but just before the show starts, ushers often invite guests to move to the front row if there’s space available. Say yes! You’ll get a better view, and your photos and videos will be unobstructed.9. Respect the moment
If you're planning to do vox pops or side interviews, keep them short and sweet – no more than three quick, rapid-fire questions. For more in-depth conversations, spark a casual chat at the event, then follow up afterward via DM, email, or message to keep the conversation going.10. Own your space
You belong there. Be confident, be yourself, and take in everything SAFW has to offer – from activations to fashion moments and everything in between.Advice from local fashionistas
We spoke to some of our favourite local fashion insiders about their first South African Fashion Week experience, what advice they’d give to a first-timer, and which designers are currently on their radar.CRAIG JACOBS
Craig Jacobs is a designer, writer, and founder of the sustainability-focused fashion label Fundudzi, known for blending eco-conscious innovation with sharp cultural commentary and fearless storytelling.
Can you share a few lines on your first experience at SAFW? Sum up the experience in three words.
Promise. Identity. Evolution.
What’s something you know about SAFW that might be news to some?
The real heroes backstage are the dressers, who sometimes have as little as 30 seconds to change a model from one look to the next. Their speed, precision, and calm under pressure are vital to pulling off a seamless show.
What’s a line of advice you can give to a first-timer at SAFW?
Always credit the designers when you post images from the runway – it’s the least you can do to support local talent.
What’s one outfit or runway moment from a past show that still lives in your head rent-free?
The Stoned Cherrie show at Turbine Hall around 2003 or 2004. Nkhensani Manganyi’s unapologetically Afropolitan vision – drawing from Sophiatown and rendered in rich browns and yellows – bold, political, and deeply rooted in pride. It was a revelation, a celebration of identity, and a defining moment in our fashion narrative.
What’s one label that’s on your radar for this year’s Fashion Week?
Oddity. After winning the SA Fashion Week New Talent competition last year, Jessica-Anne Shepard is back with her sophomore collection. Her whimsical, quirky spin on cottagecore was a standout, and I’m curious to see how she evolves and deepens her aesthetic this season.
RICCI KALISH LIEDEMAN
Photo: Big Bad Wolf via Instagram.
Ricci Kalish Liedeman, aka @bigbadwolf, is a Joburg-based writer and creator with a flair for fashion, film, and politics, and the founder of fashion rental platform Big Bad Batch.
Can you share a few lines on your first experience at SAFW? Sum up the experience in three words.
Intimidating, intoxicating, frenetic.
What’s something you know about SAFW that might be news to some?
If you can't afford a ticket, still come! They have a stand-by queue and you get to take any available seats.
What’s a line of advice you can give to a first-timer at SAFW?
If you’re sitting in the front row, be cognisant of your surroundings. Don’t lean forward to see the look coming down the runway, you end up blocking other people's view. I promise you, your time will come to see it.
What’s one outfit or runway moment from a past show that still lives in your head rent-free?
Last season (Autumn/Winter 25) designer Viviers did a show on a massive scale. We got to see around 40 looks, with each look comprising of many pieces. The amount of work and attention to detail was truly breathtaking.
What’s one label that’s on your radar for this year’s Fashion Week?
Oyama Gonintebe.
YASMIN FURMIE
Yasmin Furmie is a Johannesburg style icon, content creator, and co-founder of SiSi The Collection, known for her bold layering and standout shoe game.
Can you share a few lines on your first experience at SAFW? Sum up the experience in three words.
My first SAFW was an absolute blast. Besides hanging out with the coolest people, the creativity and sheer spectacle of what South Africa has to offer truly blew my mind. Three words that summed up the experience: talent, art, and style.
What’s something you know about SAFW that might be news to some?
SAFW was the place where people noticed my style as I'd been out of the public eye before that. It coincided with the decision to start our brand @sisi.the.collection.
What’s a line of advice you can give to a first-timer at SAFW?
I'm not sure about advice; safe to say that one should take in the craft that has been worked on with passion and continue to support South African fashion.
What’s one outfit or runway moment from a past show that still lives in your head rent-free?
Chulaap was the designer whose clothes truly made me sit up and take notice. I loved the way they clashed prints yet made it so wearable.
What’s one label that’s on your radar for this year’s Fashion Week?
Sadly, I'll be missing SAFW as I'm away, but the young designers' competition and, of course, my dear friend Jacques from Bam Collective are always on my radar.
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