South African fashion leaders are joining creatives from across Africa for a global style-meets-business gathering
Mzansi fashion is packing its bags and heading to Moscow — because apparently the next runway is international!
The fourth BRICS+ Fashion Summit takes place in Moscow from 28 to 30 September 2026, bringing together fashion industry leaders, designers and businesses from fast-growing economies around the world.
The summit has grown into one of the major international gatherings for the fashion business, with last year's edition attracting more than 15,000 attendees from over 60 countries.
South Africa joins the fashion conversation
South Africa will be represented by Stephen Manzini, CEO of Soweto Fashion Week and the South African Fashion Association, and Colleen Eitzen, co-founder of retailer The Space.
They will join fashion leaders from countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, Seychelles and South Sudan.
The three-day gathering will allow African fashion businesses to network, share ideas and explore partnerships with markets across Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
From Soweto to Moscow
For South African fashion businesses, the summit could open doors to new export markets and international collaborations.
African brands are already exploring opportunities beyond the continent. Botswana-based House of Ditso, for example, is discussing a potential presence in Russia and CIS markets, while MTC Windhoek Fashion Week is exploring a designer exchange programme with Moscow Fashion Week.
Meanwhile, Kenya Fashion Council and Nairobi Fashion Week director Brian James Kihindas says the summit also helped African fashion leaders start conversations about working more closely across the continent.
In other words, Africa's fashion industry is slowly moving from “my country, my designer” to “sharp, let's work together.”
Africa wants a bigger seat at the table
Kihindas says African fashion week organisers have started building a unified network to collaborate on everything from production standards and sponsors to buyers and event logistics.
Manzini, meanwhile, describes the summit as an important platform for African creatives to connect with partners from the Global South and showcase fashion as both a creative and economic force.
And with Moscow Fashion Week running from 26 September to 1 October, featuring more than 70 runway shows from brands across more than 10 countries, there will certainly be plenty of fashion on display.
Looks like Mzansi isn't just bringing the drip — it's taking the business of fashion along for the ride.