Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards 2026 open for nominations with R100,000 prize

Nominations are open for the 2026 Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards, celebrating designers, makers and innovators transforming Africa’s fashion industry through sustainable and circular practices.

Now in their eighth edition, the awards recognise designers, retailers, students, tastemakers and changemakers working towards a more ethical, inclusive and environmentally responsible fashion industry.

This year’s awards feature nine open categories, including a new Artisanal Fashion Award recognising traditional craftsmanship and a Pan-African Award celebrating sustainable fashion initiatives across the continent.

Nominations close on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, with winners set to be announced in Cape Town on 19 November.

The prestigious Changemaker Award carries a R100,000 cash prize.

Twyg Awards celebrate sustainable African fashion

The Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards recognise individuals and organisations challenging conventional fashion practices and developing more responsible approaches to design, production and consumption.

Jackie May, director of Twyg, says the awards have helped build a network of designers and businesses committed to transforming the industry.

“Since we launched the awards eight years ago, our judges have identified people and organisations working towards a fashion and textile industry that is kind, fair, inclusive, diverse, nature-friendly and circular. They are added to our growing ecosystem and trusted online directory,” says Jackie May, director of Twyg.

For 2026, the awards place particular emphasis on artisanal techniques, innovation and the diversity of fashion and textile production across Africa.

Nine categories open for nominations

The 2026 awards feature nine categories recognising different contributions to sustainable fashion.

Entries will be assessed according to the criteria applicable to each category.

New Artisanal Fashion Award honours traditional craftsmanship

One of the key additions to the 2026 awards is the Artisanal Fashion Award.

The category recognises designers and makers using traditional craft techniques in contemporary fashion.

These include:

• Weaving
• Beading
• Embroidery
• Botanical dyeing

The award acknowledges the skills, cultural heritage and knowledge associated with these practices.

It also honours the legacy of late South African designer Nicholas Coutts, whose work explored the relationship between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary fashion.

Pan-African Award recognises fashion innovators across Africa

The Pan-African Award celebrates designers and fashion practitioners working across the continent to develop locally rooted alternatives to extractive fashion systems.

The category places emphasis on approaches that support local production, traditional skills, livelihoods, craftsmanship and regional value chains.

It forms part of the awards’ broader effort to recognise the diversity of African fashion and textile production.

R100,000 prize for Twyg Changemaker Award winner

In addition to the nine open categories, the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards include a Changemaker Award.

The winner is selected from eligible categories and recognised for an exceptional contribution to transforming the fashion system.

The award includes a cash prize of R100,000.

How are the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards judged?

Entries are assessed against sustainability and design criteria, including:

• Quality and design
• Ethical labour practices
• Transparency
• Resource use
• Material sourcing
• Waste and pollution
• Environmental and climate impact
• Sustainable and circular practices

The criteria are intended to recognise work that demonstrates meaningful progress towards a fairer and more responsible fashion industry.

How to enter the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards 2026

Designers, makers, retailers, students and other eligible fashion practitioners can nominate themselves or a peer.

Applicants do not need to submit physical garments or a traditional design portfolio.

Instead, they must complete the relevant nomination form and demonstrate how their work meets the criteria for their chosen category.

Important dates:

• Nominations close: Wednesday, 14 October 2026
• Winners announced: Thursday, 19 November 2026
• Awards celebration: Cape Town, 19 November 2026

The nomination deadline is approaching, with designers and fashion innovators encouraged to submit their entries before applications close.

View the categories and submit a nomination: Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards 2026.

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