South Africa’s next wave of fashion designers will take centre stage this month as SA Fashion Week hosts its Student Competition Exhibition at Hyde Park Corner from 24 to 28 October 2025.

For almost two decades, the Student Competition has been a launchpad for young talent from across the country, and this year’s edition continues that tradition. Partnering with 24 fashion colleges and universities, the exhibition gives the public a rare glimpse into the creative process behind South Africa’s emerging designers, from sketches and pattern work to fully realised garments.

Each participant was challenged to create original pieces that blend innovation with sustainability, pushing them to think critically about how design can be both beautiful and responsible. The judging panel will assess entries on originality, creativity, sustainable practices, and style and fit, values that speak to the evolving ethics of modern fashion.

According to SA Fashion Week organisers, the competition remains: “a vital incubator of South African design,” giving students not only exposure but also the experience of showcasing work to industry professionals and consumers alike. The exhibition’s open format means shoppers and fashion lovers can engage directly with the collections, making it as much a learning experience as a visual feast.

The winner will be announced during SA Fashion Week’s Autumn/Winter 2026 showcase later this month, marking a career-defining moment for one rising star. For the visitors, though, the real reward is witnessing the creativity and confidence that will shape local fashion in the decade ahead.

As SA Fashion Week celebrates its 19th year of nurturing young talent, this exhibition reminds us that the future of fashion is not just on the runway, it is being stitched together in classrooms, design studios, and now, in the heart of Hyde Park.