South Africa’s Top 10 Fashion Designers — A Stylish Exploration

The vibrant world of South African fashion. Here's some of the runway brilliance from top designers—capturing bold prints, cultural motifs, and the dynamic energy of SA’s fashion scene.

Here’s a curated lineup of the most influential South African designers making waves locally and globally. Each brings a unique blend of heritage, innovation, and artistry.

1. David Tlale

A household name celebrated for avant-garde designs and theatrical runways. David has showcased at Cape Town, New York, and Paris Fashion Weeks 

Known for bold colors, textures, and philanthropy—mentoring emerging designers through programs like United Colors of Fashion 

2. Gavin Rajah

An elegant visionary who founded Cape Town Fashion Week and became the first African brand invited to Paris Haute Couture 

His work extends beyond fashion into philanthropy—mentoring survivors of domestic violence through The Whitelight Movement 

3. Thula Sindi

Known for chic, timeless designs that fuse modern aesthetics with African flair. His craftsmanship and sophisticated silhouettes have earned him a devoted following.

4. Laduma Ngxokolo (MaXhosa Africa)

Founder of MaXhosa Africa, renowned for reinterpretations of traditional Xhosa beadwork in knitwear. His brand has garnered international acclaim, expanding to Paris and New York 

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5. Palesa Mokubung (Mantsho)

Celebrated designer behind Mantsho, known for its striking prints and expressive silhouettes. She made history as the first African designer to collaborate with H&M 

6. Marianne Fassler

A trailblazer with decades-long influence, known for her eclectic, bohemian aesthetic and fearless use of color and texture 

7. Rich Mnisi

A rising star known for gender-fluid, avant-garde designs that challenge norms. His powerful aesthetic draws attention both locally and internationally 

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8. Nkhensani Nkosi (NN Vintage / Stoned Cherrie)

Founder of Stoned Cherrie, known for t-shirts featuring apartheid-era heroes like Stephen Biko—melding fashion with political symbolism.

9. Thebe Magugu

Winner of the prestigious 2019 LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize, now a global presence collaborating with Dior, Adidas, and more. He remains deeply grounded in storytelling and cultural roots 

He recently opened Magugu House, a creative showroom in Johannesburg showcasing fashion and art.

10. Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana

Known for blending Basotho cultural heritage—especially the iconic Basotho blanket—into contemporary fashion. Her label stands out globally for its creativity and cultural representation 

More designers for you to discover:

Jacques van der Watt (Black Coffee) – Known for structural, geometric fashion installations with deep South African design influences 

Abigail Betz – Recognized for delicate, ultra-feminine bridal designs 

Gert-Johan Coetzee – Glamorous, red-carpet ready couture adored by celebrities 

Bongiwe Walaza – Bold prints and bringing shweshwe fabric to the global stage 

Sindiso Khumalo – Sustainable fashion pioneer, weaving her heritage into vibrant prints and empowering communities through ethical collaborations 

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1. David Tlale — Runway look from the David Tlale collections (example from his recent collections pages). A theatrical, sculptural evening look from his collections. DAVID TLALE+1

2. Gavin Rajah — Handcrafted beaded evening gown (Gavin Rajah couture / Cape Town Fashion Week runway photo). Elegant couture gown with hand beading and drape. Getty Images+1

3. Thula Sindi — Abero Chiffon Dress (from Thula Sindi official site). A timeless, chic ready-to-wear dress representative of his refined silhouettes. THULA SINDI

4. Laduma Ngxokolo (MaXhosa Africa) — Runway look from MaXhosa (Maxhosa Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear runway coverage). Xhosa-inspired knitwear piece (signature graphic knit jumper). Vogue+1

5. Palesa Mokubung (Mantsho) — Mantsho x H&M capsule — e.g., the Mantsho “cape collar”/printed dresses from the H&M collaboration. Bold prints and flowing silhouettes from the Mantsho × H&M collection. Glamour+1

6. Marianne Fassler — Signature eclectic / bohemian dress (examples on her official channels / Getty photos). A colorful, textured look that reflects her decades-long aesthetic. Getty Images+1

7. Rich Mnisi — Look from Rich Mnisi runway (examples from his lookbook / H&M × Rich Mnisi / Adidas collaborations listed on his site). Gender-fluid, avant-garde piece from his runway archive. richmnisi.com

8. Nkhensani Nkosi (Stoned Cherrie / NN Vintage) — Stoned Cherrie printed T-shirt (historical / museum piece: Drum t-shirt exhibited at the Museum at FIT). Iconic politically-charged T-shirt design, part of museum collections. Flickr+1

9. Thebe Magugu — Mafeteng Dress / look from Thebe Magugu collections (and images from Magugu House coverage). A narrative dress from his tribe-inspired collections; also shown at Magugu House. thebemagugu.com+1

10. Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana — Basotho-blanket inspired cape / Classic Butterfly Cape (product page on Thabo Makhetha official shop). A contemporary cape/coat made from traditional Basotho blanket motifs (signature item). Thabo Makhetha+1

Mikko Tyllinen: Landscapes of the Inner World

Mikko Tyllinen does not simply paint landscapes as they appear. He transforms them into living experiences of color and movement. A grove of trees becomes a rhythm of lines and hues. A passing cloud becomes a cascade of light and shadow. His landscapes are not documents of the external world, but translations of how it feels to stand within it.

There are painters who capture reality, and then there are painters who reveal the unseen currents that run beneath it. Mikko Tyllinen belongs to the latter. His canvases are not still images; they are movements, collisions, expansions — as if we are watching thought itself crystallize into form.

When you look at his work, you don’t simply see color — you feel it. The brushstrokes have the velocity of galaxies being born, the tenderness of memory, the turbulence of storms we’ve carried in silence. His art reminds us that abstraction is not an escape from reality; it is the deeper language of it.

The Language of Sky and Cloud

Look closely at his skies and you will notice they never sit still. They shift, they breathe, they almost sing. Clouds dissolve into fields of color that roll like waves, carrying both calm and storm in the same moment. In this, his paintings remind us that the sky is never only above us — it is also within us, mirroring our shifting moods and thoughts.

Trees as Symbols of Life

In Tyllinen’s hands, trees are not merely botanical forms but symbols of endurance and connection. Their roots seem to grip more than earth; they hold memory, history, and spirit. Their branches stretch beyond simple depiction, reaching toward light as if in dialogue with the sky. To look at these trees is to feel the persistence of life itself, even in the midst of change.

The Dance of Abstraction

What makes these landscapes so compelling is the way he lets abstraction guide them. Instead of showing every detail, he distills the essence: the energy of wind through leaves, the warmth of light on water, the quiet strength of a horizon line. His art suggests that what matters is not what the eye records, but what the heart remembers.

A Reflection of Ourselves

Ultimately, Mikko Tyllinen’s landscapes are not only about the natural world. They are about us. When we see the shifting skies, we are reminded of our own restless searching. When we see the rooted trees, we feel our own grounding. His paintings carry both motion and stillness, chaos and harmony, reminding us that we, too, are landscapes — shaped by time, weathered by experience, and lit from within by moments of quiet beauty.

Hannah Lavery: Quiet Power in Every Stitch

In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, South African designer Hannah Lavery has quietly built something different - a women’s fashion line that speaks not just to the eye, but to the body and soul.

Her clothes don’t shout. They don’t chase runways. Instead, they listen to your shape, your mood, your need for comfort, confidence, and grace. Rooted in kindness and designed with intent, Lavery’s garments are redefining what it means to feel at home in your own skin.

A Brand Born of Curiosity and Courage

Originally on a path toward law, Lavery found herself drawn to a more expressive pursuit — fashion. Not for its glamour, but for its power. She studied fashion design in Port Elizabeth, eventually moving to Cape Town, where her brand was born in 2012.

What started as a small, self-funded studio has grown into a beloved local label with boutiques in Cape Town and Johannesburg, a strong online presence, and a loyal following of women who have found something rare in her collections: ease.

Women Behind the Seams

Walk into a Hannah Lavery store and you’ll feel it — the quiet confidence, the warmth, the care. That energy comes from the team itself. Her garments are cut, sewn, and finished in Cape Town by a small team of artisans, many of whom have been with the brand for years.

People like Patricia Jacobs, affectionately known as Aunty Pat, who brings decades of sewing experience and a deep sense of pride to the work. These aren’t faceless factories. This is fashion with fingerprints.

The Power of Comfort

What sets Lavery apart isn’t just aesthetic. It’s emotional. Her designs make women feel seen. They’re powerful not because they push boundaries, but because they give women space to be — whether that means commanding a boardroom or curling up with a book.

In a culture that often equates beauty with discomfort, Lavery is shifting the narrative. Her clothes whisper: you’re allowed to feel good.

Despite her minimalist palette and simple lines, there’s nothing basic about Lavery’s work. There’s nuance in the drape, poetry in the proportions, strength in the softness. Each piece is designed to outlive trends and outlast seasons.

This isn’t fashion for the spotlight. It’s fashion for life.

A Local Legacy in the Making

As her brand continues to grow, Lavery remains rooted in her values like sustainability, inclusivity, and kindness. She designs for all women, all ages, all body types. And she does it without compromise.

In South Africa’s fashion landscape, she’s become a quiet force, not through spectacle, but through substance. Her legacy is being woven, one stitch at a time, by the women who wear her clothes and the women who make them.

In a world where fashion often feels fast, loud, and disposable, Hannah Lavery reminds us of something vital: the most powerful clothes don’t transform you into someone else, they bring you back to yourself.