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SA Fashion Enforcers Drop a Finale Drenched in Raw, Outstanding and Electrifying Couture Magic

The 2025 Proudly SA Local Fashion Police Grand Finale

Sandton shimmered under a blaze of style and spectacle as the 2025 edition of the Proudly SA Local Fashion Police reached its triumphant climax — a night saturated with glamour, audacity and unmistakable South African flavour.

Africa’s wealthiest square mile morphed into a living catwalk as fashion devotees, industry heavyweights, A-list celebrities, media tastemakers and even a sprinkle of political elites arrived draped in their most daring ensembles. The atmosphere swelled into a jubilant tribute to home-grown artistry and the country’s evolving design identity.

This finale closed what has easily been the competition’s most daring and expansive season to date. The fifth edition launched in August with a luxurious celebration aboard the legendary Blue Train — a setting so opulent it instantly set the benchmark for the months that followed. From there, the initiative swept through Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, hosting skill-building masterclasses where acclaimed creatives mentored aspiring designers and students on brand strategy, business savvy and the realities of carving a career in fashion. Throughout its nationwide journey, Proudly SA continued rallying South Africans to buy local, uplift emerging labels and imagine a new frontier for local fashion excellence.

What began five years ago with four winners taking home R10 000 ($520) each has now matured into one of the nation’s most influential style platforms. This year, seven exceptional talents from across the country secured the top honour — a tailor-made wardrobe valued at R50 000 ($2 600) crafted by leading South African designers, along with the rare opportunity to unveil their creations on the main runway before an electrified crowd.

The 2025 winners and their designer collaborators included:

The night delivered far more than couture. Kwaito legends Trompies ignited the venue with a nostalgic, high-energy performance, while neo-soul sensation Lordkez captivated guests with her velvet-smooth vocals. Former winners-turned-judges took a sentimental victory lap on the runway before the spotlight finally settled on the seven new champions, who debuted their bespoke looks to thunderous applause.

Proudly SA CEO Eustace Mashimbye underscored how investing in local designers strengthens the broader retail, textile, clothing, footwear and leather value chains — creating economic momentum that stretches well beyond fashion. Chief Marketing Officer Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi echoed this, noting that the initiative has evolved into a countrywide movement powered by the public, sponsors and partners committed to elevating South African craft. She teased that the next five years will usher in an even bolder era for the Local Fashion Police.

This year’s showcase was supported by African Bank and the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing SETA, both fitting partners for a celebration dedicated to innovation, creativity and the mastery of proudly South African design.

 

Source: Araba Sey