Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards: Celebrating South African Ethical Design

The anticipation is building for the finalists and winners of the 2025 Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards, a pivotal platform for change in the South African fashion landscape.

This annual event celebrates the trailblazers and innovators who are actively reimagining the future of clothing, making sustainability the non-negotiable standard.

By championing creativity that prioritises both the planet and people, the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards have become the definitive benchmark for ethical design excellence in the country.

Why the Twyg Awards Matter for Ethical Fashion

The awards are more than a contest; they are a movement to drive innovation, inclusivity, and regenerative practices across the industry.

They shine a necessary spotlight on designers, businesses, and changemakers committed to circular design principles—a vital step away from the polluting fast-fashion model.

This includes promoting items designed for repeated use, crafted for remaking, and created from safe, recycled, and renewable materials.

Twyg advances its vision for a kinder and more equitable fashion system by recognising these creative leaders.

Recognising Innovation and Impact in Design

Each year, the awards categories are updated to reflect emerging challenges and significant trends in the environmental and social space. For instance, designers, innovators, and changemakers have recently submitted entries across a refreshed structure, proving that sustainability is no longer a niche but the essence of modern luxury and necessity.

The highly coveted Changemaker Award, which grants the overall winner a notable R100 000.00 prize, is particularly significant. The panel does not accept direct entries for this award; instead, it selects a category winner who demonstrates the most profound commitment to sustainable and circular design practices, highlighting their career-long dedication to promoting slower, more conscious fashion habits.

The Judging Process and What Comes Next

The 2025 awards introduced a new international and local jury, bringing deep expertise from the worlds of media, sustainability, climate action, design, and business.

This diverse panel ensures a rigorous and holistic judging process—essential, given the complexity of the sustainable fashion sector. Now that the call for entries has closed, the judges are thoroughly assessing the submissions. Winners of these prestigious awards will receive not only prize money but also public recognition for their achievements.

Twyg will also automatically feature them in its upcoming online directory of past winners and finalists, cementing their status as leaders in South African sustainable fashion.

The final announcement of the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards winners will take place on 27 November 2025 in Cape Town. You can find more information on their website at www.twyg.co.za/awards/

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