Work with 100% white cotton

Starch it, Stitch it,

Knit it,

Pleat or Pipe it.

Consider Draping

Combine different weights or not

Use Buttons, Buckles or Zips,

PLAY but make it wearable, SUSTAINABLE, marketable and SELLABLE

Our key requirements for all submissions, are as follows:

■ Design a standard size 34 Shirt using only 100% Cotton

■ The Shirt could be for morning, noon or night

■ Requirements are that the Cotton must be surface altered by either dyeing, painting, distressing,

ruching, pleating, etc.

■ You could also apply surface texture with beading, embroidery, hardware, etc.

■ Garments with no surface altering will not be considered

■ Use different weights of Cotton in your design should you wish to

Think fashion forward

Think high design

Think never been done before

Think sustainable and Planet Friendly

All competition submissions will be adjudicated according to the following:

1. Originality and a strong design language

2. Creativity and innovation

3. Practical application of sustainability principles

4. Style and fit – Standard 34. (Please bear in mind that it may be worn by a model)

1. The South African Fashion Week Student Competition is only open to Final Year Fashion Design

students studying in South Africa

2. You must conceptualize, design, construct and finish the garment used for your entry, yourself

3. Your entry garment must have a label stitched on the inside and an outside swing tag with the

following clearly marked information:

■ Your name and surname

■ College or University, name

■ Your contact number

■ Your Email address

■ Detail of your design and fabric selection

4. Your entry garment must be submitted on a white hanger in a garment bag

Please note, competition submissions without the above-mentioned requirements will not be

considered for judging.

1. Photographs or Video of your garment showing front, back and sides of the garment

2. With no more than 100 words tell the judges what inspired your garment

3. With no more than 100 words mark out the life cycle of your garment – who will wear it, it’s longevity and where you see the garment ending up once it no longer can be worn.

4. Include a copy of your SA ID

The finalists will be announced during our SAFW AW26 marketing campaign and the winner will

be announced at our SA Fashion Week AW26 showcase – October 2025

THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

• R5 000 cash to develop a collection.

• The winner will be considered as a New Talent semi-finalist should they wish to enter.

• Have their entry garment exhibited in the SAFW Collections

• Be featured on our website and social media platforms

• 15th August – Electronic submission of made-up garment – a photograph on a mannequin, showing front, back and sides of garment.

• 22nd August - Finalists announced

• 1st October – Garment delivery – venue to be confirmed

• YOUR ELECTRONIC ENTRY – must be clearly marked as: SOUTH AFRICA FASHION WEEK

  STUDENT COMPETITION – [INSTITUTION NAME].

  Late entries will not be accepted.

1. After the electronic submissions have been received, they are adjudicated by the Judging Panel and the Top Ten (10) Finalists and their lecturers will be notified by email

2. The finalists are exhibited as per above and the winner announced either on social media or at the event.

3. Please note, the submissions of the finalists may only be collected after they have been displayed at SAFW AW25 SA Fashion Week

1. Your lecturer must moderate your entry garment prior to submitting it for this competition

2. Please note, although we take great care with all garments, SA Fashion Week will not accept any responsibility for loss and/or damage to entry garments

3. Competition submissions not clearly marked as per the ENTRY REQUIREMENTS stipulated on pages 1&2 herein, will not be eligible for adjudication

4. The prize is non-negotiable, and the judges’ decision is final; no correspondence in this regard will been entered into

For all queries, please feel free to mail us on: studentcompetition@safashionweek.co.za