South African Fashion Week (SAFW) has officially opened entries for its Scouting Menswear Competition for Autumn/Winter 2025, aimed at discovering and promoting emerging menswear designers in South Africa.
Everything you must know about the South African Fashion Week Scouting Menswear 2025 competition
This competition is a platform for fresh talent to showcase their work and gain access to the fashion industry at a professional level.
What is the competition about?
The Scouting Menswear Competition is an annual event run by SAFW to support new designers who specialise in menswear.
The competition helps these designers introduce their work to buyers, media, and fashion lovers.
Finalists will present their collections on the SAFW runway and, if successful, may go on to sell their clothing through the SAFW Designer Pop-Up and Showroom.
Who can enter?
The competition is open to South African-based menswear designers who have been in business for less than 10 years.
This includes designers who:
- Have a registered fashion business,
- Are currently producing ready-to-wear menswear collections, or
- Have a strong vision for menswear but need exposure.
What do you need to submit?
Applicants must submit:
- A lookbook of their latest menswear collection,
- A written concept or brand statement (explaining the vision and design philosophy),
- A short biography,
- Business registration and identification documents.
All applications must be submitted via WeTransfer to [email protected] before the deadline.
What is the theme?
Designers must create a menswear collection that reflects their unique point of view. The competition looks for originality, wearability, and good craftsmanship. Collections must include at least six outfits, and accessories can be included if they are part of the designer’s brand.
Important dates:
- Entry deadline: Monday, 10 June 2024
- Finalist announcement: Friday, 14 June 2024
- Mentorship and preparation: July–September 2024
- Runway showcase: SAFW AW25, October 2024
Why enter?
Finalists will receive mentorship in areas such as business development, production, and branding.
They will also have the opportunity to showcase their collections at South African Fashion Week AW25, get professional photos of their work, and be featured in SAFW media promotions.
“Scouting Menswear aims to nurture emerging design talent in South Africa and assist them in developing sustainable, future-focused businesses,” SAFW said in the competition brief.
