Gert Johan Coetzee Autumn Winter 2025 Collection: Enter the New Era of the Gert Elephant Mascot

Images sourced from safashionweek.co.za

Gert-Johan Coetzee, a name synonymous with innovation and style in South African fashion, graced the closing of the first day of SA Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025 with a breathtaking showcase. Gert Johan Coetzee debuted his Spring/Summer collection just two weeks before at London Fashion Week. Renowned for his ability to blend traditional elements with contemporary aesthetics, Coetzee’s latest collection captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on the runway.

With celebrities and influencers eagerly seated in the front row, anticipation buzzed through the air. Many attendees were spotted wearing pieces from Coetzee’s AW 2025 collection, fresh from the runway, demonstrating the designer's widespread appeal and influence in the fashion world. He has designed for some major South African celebrities such as Bonang Matheba and Thuli Madonsela, as well as global celebrities such as Lizzo and Oprah Winfrey. His latest collection is a vibrant blend of textures and details, featuring fringes, corset structures, camo prints, and intricate beadwork.

Gert Johan Coetzee’s latest collection beautifully emphasises the female silhouette with tight, cinched waists that accentuate curves. Belts feature prominently in many looks, drawing attention to the waist and highlighting the figure. In some designs, Coetzee expertly incorporates corset structures with cutouts and darts, layering them over dresses and shirts for a striking effect. One standout look showcases a glamorous corset, reminiscent of a luxe waist trainer, layered over a shimmering dress. The use of bold shapes and rich colours brings an unmistakable sense of South African flair to the collection, making it feel both contemporary and deeply rooted in local culture.

South Africa’s rich wildlife is undeniably woven into Gert Johan Coetzee’s latest collection One standout piece was a jacket crafted from cowhide, with long sleeves and cropped just above the breast line—an ingenious use of hair-on cowhide that instantly calls to mind the country’s deep connection with animals. Every South African knows someone in their family who has an animal print rug, and who most likely hunted to get it too. Throughout the runway, a recurring light blue, brown, and red print echoed the patterns of cow and giraffe prints, reinforcing the designer’s clear inspiration from South Africa’s stunning wildlife.

Gert Johan Coetzee showcased an impressive range of prints and fabrics throughout this collection, blending textures and colours in unexpected ways. One look featured a black tightly braided top, paired with a blue/brown printed flowy midi skirt, while another combined a shiny velvet fabric in khaki green over a blue and red chiffon skirt. The mis-matching was refreshing to watch, seeing as culture is shifting from rules and we are embracing individual style more. One of my personal favourites was a striking hot-pink dress with fringes at the hem, paired with a khaki green camo coat and cinched at the waist with a corset ornament.. These pieces are all so different and unique, but work so well together.

Gert Johan Coetzee considers Elephants to be his mascot. Elephants are very important to South African culture as we see so many of them in wildlife reserves.The designer beautifully integrated this iconic creature into his collection, adding elephant silhouettes to several looks.. A standout piece is a turquoise and orange skirt set with a big elephant printed on the front of the skirt. Later in the show, a stunning black tuxedo featuring a brown elephant and beetle print caught many eyes, further exemplifying the designer's ability to blend global fashion with local heritage and we are loving it.

Gold fabric, gold accessories and gold accents made a striking appearance in several looks from this collection. Mostly paired with black fabric, this gold colour brings richness to the outfit and creates a sense of luxury. Gold has always been a symbol of wealth, power and luxury and is a great addition to the looks designed by Gert Johan Coetzee. Alongside the gold, silver and other shiny materials also feature prominently, giving the collection a vibrant, dynamic energy with a sense of flare, vibrance and flow. The sparkly materials were often created in fringes to add movement and even more sparkle, which were very eye-catching.

The designer used tiny cream coloured shells to make a skirt and a hoodie for this collection. We have seen this in some of his previous collections and can confidently say that it looks like it has become a Gert Johan Coetzee trademark. Gert Johan Coetzee told Sowetan live “What I love most about the collection is the beadwork. He adds, “The cowrie shell jacket is full of meaning and took about eight months to make”. This intricate craftsmanship reflects his dedication to blending tradition with high fashion, giving the pieces a unique, personal touch.

One of the standout pieces of the show was an oversized straw-like hat, a true showstopper. Safari-inspired with fringes and a warm brown and beige colour that mimicked a thatched roof, the hat made a bold statement. The outfit paired with it featured a gorgeous earthy tan-brown colour, with black accents on the jacket and a dramatic cape in the back. This look perfectly blended safari influences with urban sophistication, embodying a beautiful safari-city mix. The collection featured several hooded dresses, merging safari-style with a current western trend, creating an effortlessly chic, yet rugged aesthetic.

As the first day of SA Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2025 concluded, Gert-Johan Coetzee's collection left an unforgettable impression on fashion enthusiasts and critics alike. His unique ability to intertwine South African culture with contemporary fashion creates a narrative that goes beyond mere aesthetics. With this collection, Coetzee not only showcases his exceptional talent but also highlights the beauty and richness of South African heritage. As we look ahead, it’s clear that Gert-Johan Coetzee will continue to be a driving force in the evolution of fashion, inspiring the next generation of designers and fashion lovers alike.