Nawaal Joosub from STADIO School of Fashion – 2025 SAFW Student Competition Winner

In a vibrant celebration of creativity and innovation, Nawaal Joosub, a final-year BA Fashion Design student at STADIO School of Fashion, has been crowned the winner of the 2025 SAFW Student Competition. The announcement, made live at Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg, marks a significant milestone not just in Nawaal’s burgeoning career but also in the evolution of sustainable fashion.

Nawaal is not only a talented designer but also the founder of House of Nyx, a brand dedicated to sustainable high fashion and wearable art. Her work is a testament to her commitment to exploring the intersection of emotion, form, and sustainability. Through her designs, she constantly pushes creative boundaries while honouring the integrity of the materials she uses.

One of her standout pieces, a shirt crafted from 100% cotton recycled deadstock fabric, exemplifies her innovative approach. The fabric is meticulously cut into strips and handwoven to create a tactile surface that embodies both rawness and refinement. The burnt edges and the strips of fabric introduce an element of erosion and imperfection, symbolising endurance through decay. This weaving technique breathes new life into discarded materials, transforming them into something renewed and meaningful—a perfect balance of fragility and resilience.

Nawaal draws inspiration from the human condition, and her designs reflect a profound understanding of how time tests and reshapes us. In her work, she references the ancient practice of mummification—not as a ritual, but as a means of preservation against erosion. This concept is beautifully captured in her design, which embodies the idea of transformation through wear and decay. Even in moments of unravelling or imperfection, there exists the potential for renewal; we can be rewoven into something different, unique, and beautiful—a poignant reflection of how struggle can be transformed into strength.

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As Nawaal Joosub steps into the spotlight as the SAFW Student Competition winner, she is not just representing her personal journey but also the future of fashion itself. Her commitment to sustainability and her exploration of deep emotional themes in her work resonate with a generation that seeks not only beauty but also meaning in what they wear.

In a world where the fashion industry faces increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact, Nawaal’s vision and creativity offer a hopeful path forward. Her designs challenge us to reconsider our relationship with fashion, encouraging us to embrace the beauty in imperfection and the narratives woven into every garment.

As we celebrate Nawaal’s achievement, we are reminded of the power of fashion as a medium for storytelling and transformation. With designers like her leading the way, the future of fashion looks not only sustainable but also profoundly human.

All Images by Eunice Driver Photography  | Official SA Fashion Week Photographer

Read more https://www.safashionweek.co.za/competitions/student-competition

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