Our Experience at the Cruz Vodka South African Fashion Week Opening Party 2025
It’s that time of year again—South African Fashion Week (SAFW) kicked off with an unforgettable Cruz Vodka Opening Party on 22 April 2025 at Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg. Urban Lifestyle was invited to join the fashionable festivities as stars, influencers, designers, and tastemakers stepped out in full force to celebrate the arrival of the Spring/Summer 2025 collections. The evening was a living mood board of Quiet Luxury, the theme of this season’s showcase—and everyone came dressed to impress.
What is Quiet Luxury in Fashion?
Quiet luxury is all about understated elegance—the kind of sophistication that whispers instead of shouts. Think quality over quantity, craftsmanship over trends, and timeless silhouettes over flashy logos. It’s where neutral tones, minimal branding, and rich fabrics converge to reflect confidence, intention, and effortless style. This ethos is the heartbeat of SS25 at SAFW.
What to Expect from the SAFW SS25 Runway Shows (24–26 April at The Forum, Hyde Park)
Over three days, SAFW SS25 will spotlight top local designers and rising talent who embody sustainability, innovation, and cultural storytelling. Here are the key highlights:
Day 1 – Emerging Talent & Gert-Johan Coetzee’s Cosmic Storytelling
- Opening the runway: Jessica-Ann Shepherd of Oddity, winner of the SS24 New Talent Search.
- Semi-finalists to watch: Allegra Nassif (Estella James), Mfundo Hlongwana (Ecstatic), Tanaka Vengere (Ngano Design Africa), and others—all presenting responsibly designed prints.
- Closing the night: Gert-Johan Coetzee’s ethereal collection, The Arrival, blending heritage with futurism.
Day 2 – ISUZU Luxury Collections
- Thabo Makhetha returns with reimagined heritage pieces.
- Tiger Blue presents raw, unwashed selvedge denim.
- Rubicon ends the showcase with a balance of strong tailoring and natural flow.
- The Cruz Collective brings the edge:
- SIXX6’s sixth-sense aesthetic,
- Shaldon Kopman’s Urban Camo,
- Jacques Bam’s gender-fluid revolution.
Day 3 – Resortwear, Reimaginings & Closing Icons
- Joanna Hedley kicks off with her flowing Beach Cult line.
- Pret-A-Perfect keeps it classic and sensual.
- Helon Melon honors Kid Mohair and linen tailoring.
- Colleen Eitzen debuts her dream swimwear line.
- DSAC-supported designers: Oyama Gonintebe (OG Brand), Kuhle Phumzile Zondo (E_MANIA), and Victoria Ongansie (VICTORI).
- Grand finale: Sun Goddess by Vanya and Thando Mangaliso—a masterclass in Afro-luxury, rich in culture and finesse.
Music, Moments & Magic: Cruz Vodka x SAFW
What’s fashion without music? DJs and live acts like Digital Sangoma and Lamiez Holworthy elevated the atmosphere, blending sound with style as fashion’s rhythm echoed through the night. Cruz Vodka’s partnership with SAFW not only adds sparkle to the shows—it embodies the bold, creative spirit of the collections.
“Where fashion meets freedom”—Cruz Vodka’s mantra fits perfectly into the SAFW ethos of pushing boundaries and embracing new possibilities.
A Tale of Two Fashion Capitals
While New York Fashion Week set the tone back in 1943 with commercial influence and global clout, South African Fashion Week, founded in 1997, leads with impact. With 28 years under its belt and a track record of nurturing over 900 designers, SAFW is a powerhouse of African innovation, responsible fashion, and cultural expression.
From the Cruz Vodka party’s stylish allure to the upcoming runway shows steeped in Quiet Luxury, SAFW SS25 is not just a fashion moment—it’s a movement. One that honors the past, embraces the present, and inspires the future of African fashion on the global stage.
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