Cape Town, 3 July 2025 – As the world navigates a new era of conscious consumption, sustainable sourcing, and resilient manufacturing, South Africa’s premier fashion and textile trade show—allfashion sourcing Cape Town 2025—returns with renewed purpose and continental ambition. Taking place from 8 to 10 July at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the event will spotlight how local ingenuity, pan-African collaboration, and sustainable innovation are reshaping the global fashion narrative from the southern tip of Africa.
This year’s edition is proudly backed by the City of Cape Town, with IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) stepping in as headline sponsor and Nedbank championing the signature Celebration of Fashion showcase. Organised by Messe Frankfurt, allfashion sourcing Cape Town 2025 sets the stage for meaningful engagement between designers, manufacturers, retailers, and disruptors determined to drive growth in Africa’s fashion economy.
“The City is proud to participate in and drive activations that have clear economic spin-offs and put a spotlight on Cape Town’s vibrant creative economy,” said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth. “Events such as allfashion sourcing centre the bold, forward-looking designers that will shape the trends of tomorrow.”
Catalysing Change: The 2025 Content and Fringe Programme
This year’s conference programme strikes at the core of the industry’s most urgent conversations—from localisation and global trade shifts to circular fashion and intellectual property protection.
Keynote: Reimagining Textile Manufacturing – Local Innovation for Global Trade Resilience
Mark Goliath (IDC) explores how South African manufacturers can evolve to meet the demands of a shifting global market. From sustainable practices to digitisation and waste reduction, this session outlines a roadmap to positioning South Africa as a formidable player in global textile trade.
Panel: From Waste to Worth – Building a Circular Fashion Economy in South Africa and Beyond
A powerful dialogue on regenerative design, circular production, and the cultural value of indigenous materials. With perspectives from GreenCape’s industry pact and international best practices—from Ghanaian textile cooperatives to French eco-labelling systems—this panel underscores Africa’s potential to lead a new fashion economy.
Keynote: Unlocking Local Potential – Advancing SA Manufacturing for 65% Local Sourcing by 2030
Courtney Barnes from the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster dives into the R-CTFL Masterplan and what it will take to meet the ambitious target of 65% local sourcing. Agile manufacturing, solar power, and tech-enabled factories are just the beginning of this local production revolution.
Keynote: Trend Colour Forecast
Renowned trend analyst Alette Winkler reveals her seasonal colour forecast, fusing global insights with African design sensibilities. This trend-setting session helps brands align with the tastes of tomorrow—both in fashion and interior design.
Panel & Fashion Showcase: The AFS Range
A celebration of African creative excellence, the AFS Designer Range features a curated selection of boundary-pushing collections. This panel offers a behind-the-scenes look at the designers shaping the future of African fashion through sustainability, storytelling, and innovation.
Keynote: Fighting Fakes – Protecting Local Creativity and Industry
Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly South African, unpacks the economic and cultural cost of counterfeit fashion, urging retailers and consumers alike to buy local. This session highlights how ethical procurement and IP protection are crucial to safeguarding South Africa’s creative economy.
Panel: Local is Lekker? Navigating Localisation and Retail Realities
Hosted by Michael Lawrence of the National Clothing Retail Federation, this panel candidly addresses the challenges and opportunities of localisation amid fluctuating exchange rates and persistent import dependency.
Supporting the Next Generation: The Young Designer Competition 2025
A firm fixture on the allfashion sourcing calendar, the Young Designer Competition is back with its largest prize pool yet—over R270,000 in funding, business mentorship, and legal support courtesy of ENSafrica. Open to students and recent graduates, this programme offers an unmatched launchpad for South Africa’s brightest rising stars.
Spotlight on Style: The Celebration of Fashion
Culminating in a dazzling runway show, the Celebration of Fashion, presented by Nedbank, pays tribute to the spirit and storytelling power of African fashion. Expect dramatic silhouettes, daring textile innovation, and collections that transcend borders—firmly anchoring African design in the global consciousness.
As the continent’s fashion and textile sector evolves, allfashion sourcing Cape Town 2025 stands as both a mirror and a catalyst—reflecting where we are, and daring us to imagine what’s next. Whether you’re a manufacturer pursuing greener practices, a designer telling local stories through global silhouettes, or a buyer looking to align with sustainable sourcing values, the message is clear: Africa is not just part of the fashion future—it is leading it.
