FIASA CATEGORIES

Fashion Industry Awards South Africa

2025 Categories & Entry Criteria

1. Fashion Designer of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual or brand who has made a profound contribution to advancing their field and the creative fashion industry as a sector.

  • 5-years (minimum) of manufacturing and trading in SA
  • South African citizen
  • Job creation (up to 5x sustained jobs)
  • Contributing positively to the South African fashion industry
  • Social justice and/or CSI activity

2. Emerging Talent of the Year

Given in recognition of a designer or brand who has demonstrated profound talent in the early stages of their career and is already positively impacting the SA creative fashion industry.

  • Maximum of 3-years in business in South Africa
  • South African citizen
  • Evidence of job creation
  • Sustainable practise

3. Womenswear Brand of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual or brand who has made a profound contribution to advancing womenswear design in SA and the creative fashion industry as a sector.

  • 4-years (minimum) of manufacturing and trading in SA
  • South African citizen
  • Job creation
  • Sustainable practise

4. Menswear Brand of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual or brand who has made a profound contribution to advancing menswear design in SA and the creative fashion industry as a sector.

  • 4-years (minimum) of manufacturing and trading in SA
  • South African citizen
  • Job creation
  • Sustainable practise

5. Childrenswear Designer of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual or brand who has made a profound contribution to advancing childrenswear in SA and the creative fashion industry as a sector.

  • Minimum of 3-years in business in South Africa
  • South African citizen
  • Originality
  • Job creation

6. Accessory Designer of the Year

Given in recognition of an accessory designer or brand who has demonstrated profound talent and is already positively impacting the SA creative fashion industry.

  • Minimum of 3-years in operation
  • South African citizen
  • Material and/or craft innovation
  • Social and/or cultural impact
  • Sustainable practise

7. Heritage / Cultural Designer of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual or brand who has made a profound contribution to South African and African authentic design and enhancing the creative fashion industry as a sector.

  • Minimum of 3-years in operation
  • South African citizen
  • Design innovation
  • Social and/or cultural impact
  • African-continent relevance
  • Sustainable practise

8. Eveningwear / Bespoke Designer of the Year

Embracing eveningwear and/or bespoke design, this is awarded in recognition of an individual or brand who is actively and consistently designing handmade, custom-fit, quality creations while honing their skills and valuably contributing to the creative fashion industry as a sector.

  • Minimum of 4-years in business in South Africa
  • South African citizen
  • Originality
  • Craftsmanship
  • Sustained job creation
  • Positive role model in the South African creative fashion ecosystem

9. Sustainable Practice Fashion Brand of the Year

Embracing sustainable practice, this is awarded in recognition of an individual or brand who has made significant strides in reducing environmental impact and improving lives through innovative, ethical and multi-disciplinary approaches in creative fashion.

  • Minimum of 3-years in operation
  • South African citizen
  • Sustainable practise
  • Design innovation
  • Social and/or economic impact
  • African-continent relevance

10. Apparel CMT (Cut, Make & Trim) of the Year

Given in recognition of a CMT company or organization who has made a profound contribution to advancing their field, supporting South African creative fashion designers and growing the sector.

  • Minimum of 3-years in operation in South Africa
  • Job creation (up to 5x sustained jobs)
  • Sustainable practise

11. Apparel Seamstress of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual who has made a profound contribution to advancing their field, supporting South African creative fashion designers and growing the sector.

  • 5-years (minimum) in the South African creative fashion industry
  • Growth in knowledge and skill transfer to next generation
  • Positive role model in the South African creative fashion ecosystem

12. Apparel Patternmaker of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual who has made a profound contribution to advancing their field, supporting South African creative fashion designers and growing the sector.

  • 3-years (minimum) in the South African creative fashion industry
  • Growth in knowledge and skill transfer to next generation
  • Positive role model in the South African creative fashion ecosystem

13. African Fashion Brand of the Year Based in SA

Given in recognition of an African brand who has a retail presence in South Africa, invests in the SA fashion economy and/or supports our local fashion ecosystem.

  • 3-years (minimum) of manufacturing and trading in SA
  • Job creation
  • Pro-actively contributing to our local creative fashion ecosystem
  • Positive role model on the African-continent reflecting the benefits of symbiotic relationship available on the continent

14. Pan-African Textile Design of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual or brand and either a textile or fashion or graphic designer or artist displaying exceptional creativity and craftsmanship across the African continent through unique aesthetic expression and a deep respect for cultural heritage and storytelling.

  • Showcases originality and creativity
  • Visual evidence of cultural connection
  • Produces exceptional quality and craftsmanship
  • Positive role model on the African-continent reflecting the benefits of symbiotic relationship available on the continent

15. Retail Space of the Year

Given in recognition of a retail space company or organization who has made profound impact in supporting the profitability, visibility and accessibility of South African creative fashion designers.

  • A retail space that supports at least 5 — South African brands
  • South African entity
  • Sustainable practise

16. Fashion Stylist of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual, company or organization who has made profound impact in supporting the visibility and credibility of South African creative fashion designers.

  • South African citizen
  • Consistently highlighting original South African design
  • Demonstrating an original and visionary approach to their craft
  • Noteworthy contribution to the SA fashion industry

17. Fashion Make-up Artist of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual who as part of a creative collective produces make-up looks that are not only fashion-forward but sets the trend therein highlighting the vast fashion talent available in SA.

  • Minimum of 3-years work history as a Make-up Artist
  • South African citizen
  • Originator of make-up looks with African-continent relevance
  • Strong work ethic and commitment

18. Fashion Hair Stylist of the Year

Given in recognition of an individual who as part of a creative collective produces hair looks that are not only fashion-forward but sets the trend therein highlighting the vast fashion talent available in SA.

  • Minimum of 3-years work history as a Hair Stylist
  • South African citizen
  • Originator of hair looks with African-continent relevance
  • Strong work ethic and commitment

19. Fashion Photographer of the Year

Given in recognition of a photographer who captures the beauty, creativity and spirit of African fashion through their lens. It honours visual storytellers whose images inspire, elevate and redefine how we see style, culture and identity.

  • Minimum of 3-years work history as a Fashion Photographer
  • South African citizen
  • Displays creativity and artistic vision
  • Technically excellent
  • Their work has cultural impact
  • Has a track record of industry influence and collaboration
  • Strong work ethic and commitment

20. Fashion Supporter in Media Award

Given in recognition of an individual, company or organization who has made profound impact in raising the visibility and credibility of the South African fashion industry and its creatives thereby supporting and stimulating the ecosystems profitability.

  • Regularly and consistently reporting on the South African fashion industry in the form of columns, features, interviews and show reports
  • Providing authoritative insight into trends, challenges and excellence in the SA fashion industry