The season of style: Soweto Fashion Week AW26 picks up the baton

If you feel like Johannesburg is currently draped in more silk and streetwear than usual, you aren’t imagining it. We have just come out of a spectacular SA Fashion Week (SAFW) in Rosebank, where the city’s fashion elite gathered to witness the return of heavyweights like Gert-Johan Coetzee. But while the dust is still settling on the Rosebank runways, the city’s “Season of Style” is far from over.

From April 29 to May 1, the energy shifts south to the iconic red-tiled Soweto Theatre for the Autumn/Winter 2026 edition of Soweto Fashion Week (SFW).

The perfect hand-off

Where SAFW offers a refined, business-to-business look at the commercial industry, Soweto Fashion Week provides the heartbeat. It is the perfect cultural chaser to the month’s festivities, shifting the focus from the luxury malls of the North to the creative furnace of the South.

Global eyes on local threads

This season, the Season of Style goes global. Thanks to a landmark partnership with the BRICS International Fashion Federation, SFW AW26 isn’t just about Mzansi. We’re expecting international flair from designers like Viktória Varga (Spain) and Kamil Hewavitharana (Sri Lanka), who will share the stage with our local icons.

The AW26 vanguard

Supported by Joburg Tourism, this year’s lineup proves that local is on par with world-class standards. Keep your eyes on:

• The Artisans: Precious Lulu Couture is set to stun with a handcrafted collection featuring structural beading and crochet, inspired by the specific gradients of a winter sunrise.
• The Streetwear Kings: Expect the street-luxury aesthetic to be out in full force with showcases from labels like Dope Store and FDB Human Store.
• The New Guard: Labels like 560 Rebirth by Lumka Takane and Odwa by Milli are bringing heritage fabrics into modern, vintage-inspired silhouettes.

More than a runway

Beyond the 42 runway shows, SFW is doubling down on its community roots. This year features an on-site market, allowing you to buy directly from the designers you’ve just seen on stage. It’s an immersive experience that bridges the gap between high-fashion fantasy and your own winter wardrobe.

The details

• When: April 29 – May 1, 2026
• Where: Soweto Theatre, Jabulani.
• Tickets: Available via Webtickets.
• Full Lineup: sowetofashionweek.co.za

Time Out Tip: Get there early. The street style outside the theatre is often just as spectacular as the collections inside. Don't forget your camera.

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