Homegrown fashion that focuses on sustainability, commonly known as slow fashion, has to vie with inexpensive imports made largely of synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels.

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Sustainability cannot be separated from social equity. When opting for locally sourced textiles and products, we not only support the domestic economy but also stimulate job growth, fortify communities and curtail the environmental toll of imported fashion.

As it stands, South Africa relies heavily on imported textiles and finished goods. A government-authorised report titled ‘Designing Climate-Compatible Industrial Strategies for South Africa: The Textiles Value Chain’ reveals that in 2018, retail sales of imported apparel, shoes and textiles surpassed R175 billion.

Meanwhile, the country’s 800 local clothing producers generated a starkly lesser revenue of R19 billion during the same period. In addition, the non-profit GreenCape notes that textiles account for approximately 6% of the total waste in the nation’s landfills.

So, what’s the way forward?

Twyg, a prominent South African non-profit focused on sustainable fashion and beauty, aims to foster an industry that is compassionate, equitable, inclusive, environmentally conscious and grounded in circular design.

One initiative that propels this vision is the annual Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards.

The awards recognise talent in 10 different categories, such as Emerging Designer, Accessories, Innovative Design and Materials, the Nicholas Coutts Award, Farm-to-Fashion, Social Impact, Retail, The Tastemaker Award, Trans-Seasonal Design and Footwear. The top performers in these categories are eligible for the coveted Changemaker Award, spotlighting designers committed to sustainable and circular practices.

Initiated in 2019, the yearly ceremony does more than just honour South African creatives. It elevates their pioneering work to a broader audience, motivates consumers to opt for sustainable products and inspires up-and-coming designers to adopt eco-conscious methods.

The nominations for the 2023 Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards have been submitted and evaluation is in progress. The finalists will be disclosed on 14 November 2023, followed by an awards ceremony in Cape Town later in the month.

Change is underway, but a collective effort is needed to bring about sweeping transformation.

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Picture: Supplied