Fashion

8 Female Designers Leading the Way in Fashion

Published

8 months ago

23 July 2025

The fashion culture in South Africa is evolving at an alarming rate, and those behind it are talented women. These women have found a way to merge culture with style, which has changed the game in the industry. They aren’t just designing clothes; but showing their African identity and telling stories that will inspire generations to come. From the luxury stores in Paris to the fashion markets in Johannesburg, these fashion designers are making their mark. Here are the top South African women leading the fashion world.

Palesa Mokubung

She is the founder of the brand, Mantsho. Palesa is one of the top fashion icons in the country. Her work shows the uniqueness of African femininity and charm. Her collaboration with global firm H&M shows she is widely recognized as a huge force. Palesa’s designs are real, bold, and very colorful. She combines rich textures, parts of designs, and flowing fabrics to create designs that show elegance.

Sindiso Khumalo

She is based in Cape Town and known for her rich storytelling prowess and powerful designs. She works with organic cottons and natural ingredients. What makes her different from others is her special love for the African style. Most of her collections are hand-drawn prints and are inspired by women who know their taste. Her style leans towards a soft and feminine look, which is perfect for those who cherish fashion with depth.

Lulama Wolf

Lulama isn’t your regular fashion designer; she is a creative artist and a talented, influential personality. Her works blend modern African styles with special tunes and neat minimalistic designs. She comes from a cultural and artistic background. Her style revolves around creating something refined and perfect for every woman.

Rina Chunga-Kutama

Rina is the founder of the popular brand, Rich Factory. This label is known for its vibrant prints and quality African-style outfits. Her fashion shows her love for playful, bold but African-centered styles. Her collections include stylish suits, regular dresses, and colorful clothes.

Leigh Schubet

She is a Durban-based designer who turns heads and lifts moods. Leigh brings a sophisticated touch and elegance to the South African fashion space. Her works are known to depict feminine flair, clean lines, She understands what beauty means and creates a timeless fashion that is hard to ignore.

Jessica Molebatsi

Known in the fashion industry as Jessica Jane, this is one of South Africa’s most glamorous fashion designers. Her fashion sense is sophisticated and ideal for classy and modern women. If simplicity and bold designs are your taste, you should patronize her. Her designs include flowing gowns and well-tailored clothes that stand out. Her clients include top South African influencers and celebrities who believe in her work.

Nhlanhla Nciza

Although she is known more as a band member of the group Mafikizolo, Nhlanhla is a respectable fashion designer. She uses the label NN Vintage, which promotes vintage African fashion. This lady designs quality bold prints and retro glamour. Her style is unique, and all her designs are rich in texture.

Kefilwe Mabote

Her line, called Kefilwe Mabote Atelier, is one of the top fashion brands in the country. Her designs are simple, sleek, and highly polished, making them ideal for celebrity outings. She expertly blends classic elegance with rich African style.

Final Thoughts

The above-mentioned women are not your regular fashion designers; they are visionaries in the industry. Each brings something special to the table and are South African cultural ambassadors. Numerous works show how the fashion industry is dominated by women. As the work starts to grow on a global scale, one thing is clear: South Africa’s fashion future is in safe hands.

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Fashion

Thabee Happy Serves Minimalist Style in White and Black

Published

17 hours ago

9 March 2026

Tega Ekeri

Thabee Happy Lethabo - Instagram

South African influencer Thabee Happy Lethabo appears in a series of photos taken outside Kolonaki, wearing a minimalist outfit built around a black-and-white combination. The look centres on structured clothing and restrained accessories.

The outfit includes a white structured top with sculpted sleeves and a defined waistline. The design introduces volume at the shoulders while keeping a fitted shape through the upper body. The top contrasts with the relaxed cut of the black wide-leg trousers, creating balance between the upper and lower parts of the outfit. The trousers fall straight to the floor, giving the overall look a long and clean line.

Thabee Happy Lethabo – Instagram

Accessories remain minimal. She carries a small wicker handbag with black leather trim and a clasp, bringing texture into the outfit. The woven material stands out against the smooth fabric of the clothing. She also wears a slim gold wristwatch and small jewellery pieces that keep the styling restrained.

In another image, she adds oversized black sunglasses that continue the black-and-white look while introducing a slightly different appearance. The sunglasses sit neatly on the face and work well with the structured design of the outfit. The outfit is paired with white pointed heels that match the tone of the top, maintaining the black-and-white combination.

Thabee Happy Lethabo – Instagram

On Instagram, Thabee Happy Lethabo captioned the post, “just a little moment from last night,” accompanying the images shared with her followers.

Black and white remains one of the most consistent combinations in minimalist fashion. In this look, structured tailoring, wide-leg trousers and simple accessories come together in a clean and modern outfit.

Fashion

Tyla Steps Out in Black for the Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2026 Show

Published

17 hours ago

9 March 2026

Tega Ekeri

Tyla - Instagram

Tyla attended the Fall 2026 show by Jean Paul Gaultier during Paris Fashion Week wearing a structured black dress from the French house. Her appearance placed the singer among invited guests at one of the schedule’s major runway presentations, where celebrities, editors and buyers gathered to view the latest couture designs.
For the event, Tyla wore a black dress built around a structured bodice with visible corset detailing, a design feature long associated with the house of Jean Paul Gaultier. The fitted upper section shaped the waist and torso, while the rest of the design followed a streamlined shape. The emphasis on structure reflects an approach frequently seen in the label’s collections, which often explore corset design and sharply tailored construction.

Tyla – Instagram

The all-black colour choice highlighted the construction of the piece. Instead of prints or ornate detailing, the design relied on tailoring and form. Structured elements at the upper section added volume, while the lower portion of the dress maintained a clean, elongated line.
Tyla paired the dress with high-heeled shoes from Christian Louboutin, maintaining the all-black styling of the outfit. Jewellery was minimal.

Tyla – Instagram

Her appearance at the show reflects the singer’s growing presence at international fashion events. Over the past year, Tyla has attended several fashion shows and award ceremonies, where stylists have dressed her in couture and archival pieces from established fashion houses. These appearances have drawn attention from fashion editors and stylists who follow celebrity fashion during major industry events.
Musicians have increasingly become regular guests at runway presentations, particularly during Paris Fashion Week. Fashion houses often invite performers whose public profiles align with their audience, while artists gain visibility within fashion media coverage. Tyla’s attendance at the Jean Paul Gaultier show places her among the performers who regularly appear at major European fashion events.

Tyla – Instagram

During the Fall 2026 presentation, guests arriving at the venue were widely photographed and shared across fashion media and social platforms alongside coverage of the runway collection. Tyla’s look reflected the house’s emphasis on structured shapes and corset-influenced design, a recurring theme within the brand’s history.
Her appearance at the show adds another fashion week moment to the singer’s expanding list of public engagements beyond music, reinforcing her visibility within both the entertainment and fashion industries.

Fashion

Dior Comes Alive: Jonathan Anderson’s New Collection at Paris Fashion Week

Published

4 days ago

5 March 2026

Fadire Olusola

Photo: Instagram

Dior unveiled its latest collection by Jonathan Anderson at Paris Fashion Week, offering fresh takes on the house’s signature forms. The presentation drew an eager audience, keen to see how Anderson would reinterpret the brand’s iconic style

From the opening look, the fashion revealed a balance between heritage and innovation. Anderson drew inspiration from the distinctive silhouettes that showed Dior’s aesthetic. At the same time, the styling introduced a relaxed, contemporary approach, with Anderson reinterpreting the house’s signature aesthetic through innovative design choices.

Photo: Instagram

Texture and craftsmanship were the main elements shown throughout the runway presentation. Delicate lace, embroidered fabrics, and layered materials added richness to the designs. A standout black lace dress featured soft floral embroidery, merging classic design with imaginative detailing.

Photo: Instagram

The attention to detail showed how craftsmanship remains key to the brand’s identity. Each design was carefully constructed. Even the simpler designs highlighted the skill behind each construction.

Tailoring also played an important role in the collection. The iconic Bar jacket, first introduced by Christian Dior, reappeared in updated interpretations. The silhouette was sometimes paired with softer pieces or styled in unexpected ways.

Photo: Instagram

The show’s atmosphere highlighted the collection’s energy and design. Natural light filled the space, highlighting the colours and textures of the garments as the models moved across the runway.

As the final looks appeared, it became clear that Anderson’s vision for Dior respects the house’s heritage. Through elegant silhouettes, romantic details, and modern styling, the collection honored the brand’s heritage while adding modern touches.