10 November 2025
A model walks down the runway wearing a creation from Dominion Creations by designer Nondumiso Mabunda from Dobsonville, Johannesburg. She was among dozens of designers who showcased their designs at the Soweto Fashion Week held at the Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg. Photos: Ihsaan Haffejee
Emerging and seasoned designers showcased their talents at this year’s Soweto Fashion Week held at the Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg.
Stephan Manzini founded Soweto Fashion Week in 2011 as a passion project with the aim of growing the fashion industry and providing a platform for young designers from the townships.
“There is a lot of talent in townships across South Africa. People are hungry for new things, so we like to help promote talent with fresh ideas,” says Manzini.
Soweto designer James Moroeng (left) prepares a model wearing his label “James Presents” during Soweto Fashion Week.
This year’s show ran over three days, featuring creative works by established designers as well as fashion design students from nearby TVET colleges.
Manzini says: “We need to come together and see how we can localise the industry and support those on the ground because I believe the industry has the potential for growth and job creation.”
Models dazzle the runway in designs by fashion house Simply Mooi based in Parow, Cape Town.
Nondumiso Mabunda, a designer from Dobsonville, showed some of her creations from her design studio Dominion Creations which she started five years ago.
She says issues of funding and resources are some of the main challenges facing entrepreneurs in the industry. “There’s a lot of creative young people in the community. They just don’t have the resources. The government should also help wherever they can with resources.”
A glimpse into some of the latest designs by fashion house Wanda Wear.
As she continues to grow her brand Mabunda says she hopes to open a fashion school and a shop in Soweto.
Designer James Moroeng of James Presents says growing up and living in Soweto has shaped his design aesthetic and inspires his creations. “My collection is titled Gardens of Soweto. It’s only fitting that my collection was presented here so I can continue to push for a sense of pride in where we come from, and to never be afraid to tell the story of where we come from.”
Moroeng also said that access to resources is one of the biggest challenges faced by young designers.
Stephan Manzini the founder of Soweto Fashion Week says the event is a platform to showcase talent from townships.
Nondumiso Mabunda a designer from Dobsonville with some of her creations from her design studio Dominion Creations.
Nomfundo Ngoma, a model from the township of KwaThema readies herself backstage during Soweto Fashion Week.