Key Trends from Cape Town Fashion Week Spring Summer Edit 2025

This past weekend marked a grand celebration for fashion in the Mother City of South Africa.

Cape Town is for sure the fashion capital of South Africa. This is the place where the average person experiments with their signature style from a young age and gets encouraged to express their creativity. When Cape Town Fashion Week: The Edit Spring Summer 2025 was announced, the fashion world prepared for a monumental affair.

African Fashion International (AFI) held their sensational event showcasing collections from local and international Pan-African designers on Saturday. Iconic names made an appearance like Dr Esther Mahlangu and our very own South African Princess, Mia Le Roux. AFI was founded by Dr Precious-Moloi-Motsepe in 2007 with the aim to create a more diverse space for African creatives in fashion. This year there were 10 unique collections ranging from maximalist, colourful looks to minimalist, classic styles. Cape Town Fashion Week is sure to inspire young fashion lovers and set trends for the next season in fashion.

Here's a closer look at 6 trends that defined the event and are set to make waves in summer.

1. Scarf Accessories

Scarves are having their moment, cementing their place as the ultimate versatile accessory for 2025. From elegant headpieces to statement accents, African Fashion International (AFI) brought a masterclass in scarf styling to the runway. Malondié featured tightly wrapped headscarves in some of her looks to add to the elegant feel of her collection. She added an extra layer of glamour by styling bold earrings with the scarves. AFI Privé opted for a pop of contrast, styling a sleek black skirt set with a vibrant yellow printed neck scarf, injecting energy and personality into the look. Sisters of Afrika demonstrated the scarf's endless versatility, transforming a black-and-white patterned scarf into a chic belt that cinched a flowy dress, seamlessly blending function with style.

This season, scarves go beyond just accessories—they become focal points. Whether tied neatly around your neck, wrapped as a headpiece, or styled as a belt, they bring personality and polish to any look. For a modern touch, experiment with bold patterns or unexpected pairings, like layering scarves with metallic accessories or using them to accent monochrome outfits.

2. Tassels and Fringes

Tassels and fringes stole the spotlight at Cape Town Fashion Week, bringing drama, texture, and movement to the runway. Fundudzi led the charge with his bold interpretation of the trend, featuring multiple looks adorned with grand tassels and cascading fringes. A statement tasseled jacket that instantly became a showstopper, exuding both power and playfulness. Scalo embraced the art of movement with a striking black-and-white dress, its hemline adorned with flowing black fringes that swayed with every step, adding a dynamic, almost hypnotic energy to the design. Meanwhile, K. Moraba & Collective captivated the audience with an elegant yet edgy corseted dress paired with a decorative shawl. The shawl was dripping with intricate tassels, while a single tassel at the corset’s gathered end added a sporty, unexpected twist to the otherwise sophisticated ensemble.

Tassels and fringes are the ultimate way to inject personality into your wardrobe this season. Whether it’s a statement jacket, a flowing dress, or an accessory like a fringed shawl, these details bring an element of movement and artistry. For a modern take, pair a tasseled piece with clean, minimal silhouettes or add bold earrings for a touch of glamour.

3. Shell Accents

What better time to enjoy the beach and ocean than a December Summer! The nautical trend is rising and African Designers are adding ways to style it. Julia Cape Town showcased stunning crochet dresses and beach hats that had small shell accents. The hats were bold and elegant with shell tassels hanging from the edges - perfect for a Summer’s day. Julia Cape Town also displayed a sophisticated, smart casual dress with some shell trimmings that added a fun touch. Sarayaa is another brand who used bright white shells as accents against dark fabric. The contrast is beautiful and places emphasis on the details of the designs.

4. Bold Hats

Nothing commands attention quite like a bold hat, and this season, headwear takes center stage as the ultimate statement accessory. At Cape Town Fashion Week, designers proved the power of hats to transform an outfit from simple to show-stopping. Malondié turned heads with extra-large sun hats perfectly matching the green-and-purple patterns of her collection. Julia took a more playful approach, infusing her beach-inspired collection with hats that celebrated texture and movement. Think shell tassels that swayed with every step and voluminous straw designs that evoked sun-drenched days by the sea. This season, hats are not just accessories—they're the pièce de résistance of your outfit. Whether you opt for exaggerated silhouettes or intricate detailing, a statement that adds an instant touch of glamour and intrigue.

5. Abstract Prints

When it comes to African fashion, prints are always a centrepiece, and cape town fashion week proved that no runway is complete without one. Designers like Malondie, Julia and Fabrosanz took bold steps, reimagining prints with modern flair. Malondie turned heads with a purple and green tone that resembled leopard spots, while Julia leaned into striking black and white patterns with lines and abstract shapes. Fabrosanz added a touch of sunshine with navy, yellow and white sunflower-inspired prints that radiated summer.

Styling prints is all about balance, To keep your look cohesive without overwhelming, pair your prints with pieces in complementary colours found in the design. And if you're ready to embrace the season in full bloom, butter yellow is the print colour to add to your wardrobe this summer. Bold, bright, and unapologetically daring—prints are the moment.

6. Bright White Cotton

Crisp white is back in a big way, and Cape Town Fashion Week delivered a masterclass in making it the star of the season. Designers like Scalo, K. Maroba, and Collectives embraced white on the runway, offering fresh interpretations of this timeless hue. Scalo stunned with couture dresses featuring intricate white embroidery and pearl details, while K. Maroba and Collectives gave us feminine lace men’s tops paired with cream white blazers and flowy white skirts styled with corsets in soft ivory.

The verdict? White and cream are officially besties for summer. To style white this season, consider a monochrome moment for effortless chic or pair it with cream or black for a striking contrast. Whether you’re donning breezy silhouettes or structured tailoring, crisp white is your go-to for sunny days ahead.