Forging a better future: explore the standout achievements of the past year with seven remarkable winners of the 2023 Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards

Each year, Twyg identifies and honours leading designers, organisations and businesses at the forefront of transforming the South African fashion industry through innovative and eco-friendly solutions. As their explorations into sustainable practices, equitable employment, and groundbreaking design unfold, their impact continues to grow. Checking in with seven of 2023’s award winners, there is clear and exciting evidence of their continued momentum in South Africa and around the globe.

Join us as we discover where their efforts have taken them this year:

Trans-seasonal Design Award presented by COUNTRY ROAD: MUNKUS

Following her Twyg Award, Ntuli-Sommie turned heads again in October 2024, participating in the prestigious Jaguar #GiveHerACrown event, a platform designed to spotlight designers championing women’s empowerment through the arts. Her MUNKUS collection for this event is a vibrant celebration of childlike wonder, intricately woven with the rich cultural threads of Ntuli-Sommie’s Zulu heritage. This collection was shown at an event during New York Fashion Week 2024. ‘Participating in this renowned event was a transformative experience for me. It served as a tremendous learning opportunity, enhancing my understanding of the market, introducing me to new designers, and revealing what buyers seek in various regions. These insights have inspired me to explore how MUNKUS can expand beyond South Africa.’ says founder and designer, Thabo Ntuli-Sommie.

Vogue Business hailed Ntuli-Sommie as one of South Africa’s rising design stars, a title she’s proudly claimed while balancing her first year of an MBA at the University of Johannesburg. During a whirlwind year filled with major achievements, Ntuli-Sommie credits the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards as a guiding light that helped her navigate the challenges of an action-packed 2024.

Retail Award: Style Rotate

Following its 2023 win, Style Rotate took a bold step forward in its commitment to sustainability with an added focus on sales and educating the largest fast-fashion consumer base: Gen Z. Recognised by Twyg for its contribution to the circular economy through renting gently-used occasionwear, the brand has now added an option to purchase luxury pre-loved and sustainably-made fashion items with the launch of SResale and SR Bridal.

Style Rotate’s increased brand awareness has led to dressing high-profile celebrities, including TV personality Nqobile Khwezi at the Nedbank International Polo event, and actress Camilla Wolfson at the Cannes Film Festival, growing  its global footprint and public visibility. This year, brand director Georgina Bennett visited 10 South African schools, to talk about overconsumption and encourage Gen Z to adopt mindful shopping habits. By promoting value-based purchases, Style Rotate is helping to reshape the future of fashion while facilitating change through its exciting and growing commercial endeavours.

Farm-to-Fashion Award: Botanical Nomad

Rather than a business, Ira Bekker – known as the Botanical Nomad – sees her work as a practice. After moving to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in 2024, she committed to understanding  the region’s biome, extending creative focus to the local colours and textures, especially the rich earth pigments and clays. Throughout the year, her pieces, printed on raw silk and wool, have featured in the contemporary section of the Kim Sacks Gallery in Johannesburg. She is currently in the process of publishing a book titled Exploring Local Colour – A Nomadic Journey, which reflects on a decade of artistic exploration.

In August, Bekker visited the Karoo to host a weekend workshop and retreat, including foraging walks, botanical dyeing and printing, ink-making and more. Additionally, she will host a series of weekly events as part of the Earthskills Gathering festival in Howick, during the final quarter of 2024. These workshops explore  the fascinating world of wild clay and spinning, and botanical printing and dyeing. Her use of earth pigment allows her to blend traditional practices with contemporary needs, planting seeds of inspiration for future generations.

Accessories Award: VERSE Studio

Continuing to infuse a commitment to preserving the earth’s resources into every aspect of her business, VERSE founder and designer Shelley Lee ensures the studio’s leathers are sourced locally and derived from by-products of regional agricultural industries. In step with the values highlighted by its 2023 win, VERSE Studio has retained ethical labour practices, employing a small group of skilled craftspeople to create its product range. The multifunctional nature of VERSE’s expanding collection promotes mindful shopping, allowing customers to utilise the same piece for various occasions and purposes.

This year, VERSE Studio proudly unveiled an innovative addition to its lineup: the elegant ‘Everywhere Tote’. True to its name, this versatile bag is designed for daily use and comes in six natural color options. Looking ahead, the brand is set to launch an exciting new range, slated for release this summer, further enhancing its reputation for chic sustainability.

Emerging Designer Award presented by SKYY Vodka and Pantone Sundays: Khumo Morojele

In 2024, Khumo Morojele stocked a fine art fashion range at famed African concept store, Merchants on Long. The garments formed part of a multimedia project titled ‘From Me to You’, which included a series of photographs inspired by 1960s family portraiture. In March, Morojele participated in an immersive group exhibition titled Birth is Nice to re-open Johannesburg’s Standard Bank Gallery. Curated by creative director and stylist, Bee Diamondhead, the show included the work of 13 dynamic young artists in fashion, music, painting, performance art and more.

In April, he featured in a video by Egg Films for Shelflife, a leading premium sneaker and streetwear store. In the film, Morojele visits downtown Johannesburg’s Dunusa market, a large-scale open air thrifting market, to build an outfit inspired by the newly-released Nike Jordan 4 Bred. This creative representation of sustainable styling continues his trendsetting legacy in the world of upcycling fashion.

Innovative Design and Materials Award presented by Polo South Africa: SinChui

SinChui continues to make its mark on the South African fashion industry with its bright street-style collections and proudly local inspiration. From 26 to 28 September 2024, SinChui showcased its AW25 collection, inspired by the resilience and cultural richness of District Six, at Fashion Week 2024 at Melrose Arch. Says founder and designer, Robyn Agulhas, ‘Through my work I seek to honour the stories of those displaced, and spark conversation of the power of community. I believe in the enduring strength of heritage and the importance of reclaiming the lost narratives. Showcasing the colour, vibrancy and fellowship of this forgotten community is at the heart of my work.’

Before the end of 2024, the brand will reveal an exciting collaboration with Mr Price, a prize earned from winning the Scouting Menswear Competition announced in October 2023. But that’s not all: SinChui is also passionately committed to waste reduction in the studio and is working on a groundbreaking project that transforms waste into something truly meaningful and impactful. Stay tuned for what’s to come!

Social Impact Award: Taking Care of Business (TCB)

Taking Care of Business (TCB) is an NGO continuing its mission to eradicate poverty among South African families by empowering women with the essential skills and resources needed to thrive. Through its innovative programmes in Reselling, Repairing, Remaking and Reskilling, TCB is changing the lives of those raising the next generation. The Resell programme alone has enabled more than 900 unemployed mothers to become self-employed clothing traders, with an impressive 75% of graduates escaping poverty within just two years.

Since its 2023 victory, TCB has significantly expanded its impact, receiving the prestigious Cape Town Civic Honours Award and delivering a powerful speech at the Circular Hub 2024, among other notable speaking engagements. With branches in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, and East London, TCB has processed more than two million items in the past year, promoting financial independence for an ever-growing number of women.

Supporting this year’s awards is a list of established sponsors including Country Road behind the Trans-seasonal category and Polo South Africa sponsoring the Innovative Materials and Design award. Markhams presents the Changemaker Award with a R100 000 cash prize for the winning brand. H&M supports the Emerging Designer category, offering a R100 000 cash prize and mentorship opportunities. The Nicholas Coutts category, sponsored by the Coutts family, awards the winner R10 000.

These sponsors are not only investing prize money, but through their support they are supporting the growth and development of sustainable fashion in South Africa.

As we celebrate the impressive accomplishments of the 2023 cohort of winners, anticipation is growing at who might win the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards 2024, and what they will go on to achieve. A panel of judges is currently assessing the candidates, with the awards ceremony to be held on 20 November 2024 at the Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel. For more information visit https://twyg.co.za/