There’s one thing we know for sure and that is fashion is constantly changing and being on the cusp of fashion trends is a full-time job. Fashion defines us, creates variety, reflects both time and culture, and quite simply, makes life a little more interesting.
Most of the time, fashion can be a true work of art. We’re lucky that South Africa has some major fashion talent and brilliant content creators that inspire us every day. And whilst there are hundreds of fashion influencers on Instagram, successfully combining our country’s unique culture and fashion together in style, there are a few that stand out from the rest.
They’re turning heads on the street and making us triple tap on the gram – these content creators go above and beyond to inspire us, from fascinating fashion shoots, curated items, addictive TikTok videos and so much more.
In no particular order, here are 10 South African fashion influencers we simply can’t get enough of right now.
Instagram handle: @chernaylin
Photo by @DavidBlaqRSA
Cherné Africa is a freelance personal and fashion stylist, most known for her unique style and inspiring looks. Cherné effortlessly breaks the barriers of contemporary fashion styles and challenges herself to create unconventional styling content, always finding new ways to piece together looks.
She has been fortunate enough to style the likes of Rich Mnisi and Nasty C, as well as style herself for Coach, Tread + Miller, Superga, Desigual, and many more. Originally from Cape Town, Cherné now pursues her creative interests in Johannesburg.
We love that Cherné strives to be both sustainable and fashion-forward in every project, aware of the huge environmental turnover the fashion industry creates.
IG handle: @caitharty
Cait Harty is a fashion and beauty content creator who is often on the move around the globe, but when she’s not, you can find her in a very remote area of Limpopo, which is why she loves working and connecting with people online.
“Styling an outfit, coming up with a concept for the shoot, finding a location and good lighting to create an aesthetic Instagram shot of my favourite outfit is literally the dream job and I’m so grateful to be able to share it with my social media besties.”
We love Cait’s fashion expression, along with her positive and bubbly outlook on life!
IG handle: @gemaentaylor
Meet Gemaén Jordan Taylor, not only a celebrity fashion influencer (with a whopping 66K following!) but also the TV Host and Co-Producer of the Weekend Hangout on GauTV, DSTV channel 265, as well as the presenter and assistant show producer for the fashion and lifestyle show, iDesign.
Once named one of the Sexiest Men in South Africa 2019 by Cosmopolitan Magazine as well as GQ's Best Dressed Man of 2019 in South Africa and landing on the cover of Men’s Health Style Guide 2020 Influencers issue – it’s safe to say Gemaén is one of the biggest male fashion influencers in South Africa right now. But even more impressive, Gemaén is also credited in the 2020 Disney film ‘BLACK IS KING’ by Beyoncé for his contribution in wardrobe and style to the movie.
We love Gemaén’s style, confidence and influence he is creating in the fashion space!
IG handle: @senzi_ndungane
Senzekile Ndungane, originally from Cape Town but now residing in Johanessburg, is an Environmental Sciences graduate who describes her style as ‘minimal layering, which is sometimes bold and eccentric’.
To Senzekile, comfort is key but so is standing out. Her daytime wardrobe is where she feels she shines best. She lists Aimee Song, Rihanna, Yemisi Abraham, Bettina Looney and her two friends Lasty and Thembeka Zondi as a few of her greatest style icons.
We love that her two favourite things in the world are both travelling and being told that she looks great!
IG handle: @neaco_
Not just a pretty face and a style icon, Tsiko is both a fashion influencer and a Computer Science Graduate living in Johanessburg. Her fashion inspiration has and always will be Rihanna, since as young as 14 years old.
Tsiko has offered styling services in various sectors, helped style music videos and even shared concepts for her school magazine on the fashion edit.
We simply love Tsiko’s ethos to empower women to do things they never thought they could do.
IG handle: @kamo_ww
Kamo Pule, popularly known as kamo_ww is a South African micro-influencer for fashion, lifestyle and beauty, as well as a proud representative of the LGBTQI+ community.
“Not a lot of people are able to express themselves so much, especially in the LGBTQI+ community. I’m a proud representative of the community and I do it to remind everyone that it’s possible to grow with the negative force that people would have on you as one that’s part of the community.”
We love that Kamo’s core goal and purpose is to inspire and show the youth that you can reach for the stars, as long as there’s great passion and consistency in what you do.
IG handle: @shopnicolascloset
At the current age of 25, Nicola is already running two successful businesses from the comfort of her couch – all of which stems from her passion for food, fashion, sustainability and keeping up with the latest trends.
‘Shop Nicola’s Closet’ launched in 2019 and since then Nicola has helped hundreds sustainably refresh their cupboards. The page is focused on celebrating slow fashion and bringing the worldwide movement of preloved clothing to South Africa.
We love Nicola’s motto, “sustainability is sexy” and we couldn’t agree more.
IG handle: @tukiyas_closet
Tukiya's Closet was founded in 2020 when Tukiya began questioning what it means to leave a legacy after her daughter was born. Being intentional about product consumption is important to her and so naturally, she gravitated towards pre-loved and vintage clothing. In her own words, “This allows me to indulge in fashion, all the while being mindful.” Today, Tukiya's Closet is wildly successful, offering a selection of once-off, quality pre-loved and vintage pieces that are carefully selected and curated with the conscious individual in mind.
Tukiya’s favourite quote to live by is “Closed mouths don’t get fed” meaning it’s important to speak up and ask for what you want. We couldn’t agree more.
We love that Tukiya's Closet is anchored in sustainability and we have no doubt that it will leave a lasting legacy!
IG handle: @yaone_refentse
We can’t get enough of Yaone Refentse’s daily fashion inspiration. She’s a fashion designer, style icon, YouTuber and micro-influencer that was born in Botswana but now lives in Johannesburg. If you head onto her joint YouTube channel Sister Party, you will be all kinds of inspired, as well as be introduced to great local fashion stylists, artists, designers and so much more.
We love that Yaone’s fashion style is so unique and that in her own words she is “just wearing what makes me happy.”
IG handle: @leah.houston
Leah Houston is a social media influencer, content creator and coffee lover with a minimal chic style. Upon landing on her feed, you will immediately notice that she loves neutral colours, because to Leah, beige tones are just so clean and calm. As a law graduate, Leah is also passionate about education and ensures she shares and promotes the importance of education to all her followers and friends.
We love Leah’s inspiring Instagram account that encourages women to be the best versions of themselves, and look good doing it!
We know the fashion industry is forever growing and changing with hundreds of content creators driving fashion influence in South Africa daily. If that’s you, comment on our latest Instagram post and let us know so that we can feature you in our next fashion highlight blog.
If you're in the retail or fashion business and would like to jump on the latest fashion trends and collaborate with the best up and coming fashion influencers, you can chat to us about your next influencer marketing campaign or join us today if you are an aspiring micro-influencer in the fashion industry and beyond.
There’s one thing we know for sure and that is fashion is constantly changing and being on the cusp of fashion trends is a full-time job. Fashion defines us, creates variety, reflects both time and culture, and quite simply, makes life a little more interesting.
Most of the time, fashion can be a true work of art. We’re lucky that South Africa has some major fashion talent and brilliant content creators that inspire us every day. And whilst there are hundreds of fashion influencers on Instagram, successfully combining our country’s unique culture and fashion together in style, there are a few that stand out from the rest.
They’re turning heads on the street and making us triple tap on the gram – these content creators go above and beyond to inspire us, from fascinating fashion shoots, curated items, addictive TikTok videos and so much more.
In no particular order, here are 10 South African fashion influencers we simply can’t get enough of right now.
Instagram handle: @chernaylin
Photo by @DavidBlaqRSA
Cherné Africa is a freelance personal and fashion stylist, most known for her unique style and inspiring looks. Cherné effortlessly breaks the barriers of contemporary fashion styles and challenges herself to create unconventional styling content, always finding new ways to piece together looks.
She has been fortunate enough to style the likes of Rich Mnisi and Nasty C, as well as style herself for Coach, Tread + Miller, Superga, Desigual, and many more. Originally from Cape Town, Cherné now pursues her creative interests in Johannesburg.
We love that Cherné strives to be both sustainable and fashion-forward in every project, aware of the huge environmental turnover the fashion industry creates.
IG handle: @caitharty
Cait Harty is a fashion and beauty content creator who is often on the move around the globe, but when she’s not, you can find her in a very remote area of Limpopo, which is why she loves working and connecting with people online.
“Styling an outfit, coming up with a concept for the shoot, finding a location and good lighting to create an aesthetic Instagram shot of my favourite outfit is literally the dream job and I’m so grateful to be able to share it with my social media besties.”
We love Cait’s fashion expression, along with her positive and bubbly outlook on life!
IG handle: @gemaentaylor
Meet Gemaén Jordan Taylor, not only a celebrity fashion influencer (with a whopping 66K following!) but also the TV Host and Co-Producer of the Weekend Hangout on GauTV, DSTV channel 265, as well as the presenter and assistant show producer for the fashion and lifestyle show, iDesign.
Once named one of the Sexiest Men in South Africa 2019 by Cosmopolitan Magazine as well as GQ's Best Dressed Man of 2019 in South Africa and landing on the cover of Men’s Health Style Guide 2020 Influencers issue – it’s safe to say Gemaén is one of the biggest male fashion influencers in South Africa right now. But even more impressive, Gemaén is also credited in the 2020 Disney film ‘BLACK IS KING’ by Beyoncé for his contribution in wardrobe and style to the movie.
We love Gemaén’s style, confidence and influence he is creating in the fashion space!
IG handle: @senzi_ndungane
Senzekile Ndungane, originally from Cape Town but now residing in Johanessburg, is an Environmental Sciences graduate who describes her style as ‘minimal layering, which is sometimes bold and eccentric’.
To Senzekile, comfort is key but so is standing out. Her daytime wardrobe is where she feels she shines best. She lists Aimee Song, Rihanna, Yemisi Abraham, Bettina Looney and her two friends Lasty and Thembeka Zondi as a few of her greatest style icons.
We love that her two favourite things in the world are both travelling and being told that she looks great!
IG handle: @neaco_
Not just a pretty face and a style icon, Tsiko is both a fashion influencer and a Computer Science Graduate living in Johanessburg. Her fashion inspiration has and always will be Rihanna, since as young as 14 years old.
Tsiko has offered styling services in various sectors, helped style music videos and even shared concepts for her school magazine on the fashion edit.
We simply love Tsiko’s ethos to empower women to do things they never thought they could do.
IG handle: @kamo_ww
Kamo Pule, popularly known as kamo_ww is a South African micro-influencer for fashion, lifestyle and beauty, as well as a proud representative of the LGBTQI+ community.
“Not a lot of people are able to express themselves so much, especially in the LGBTQI+ community. I’m a proud representative of the community and I do it to remind everyone that it’s possible to grow with the negative force that people would have on you as one that’s part of the community.”
We love that Kamo’s core goal and purpose is to inspire and show the youth that you can reach for the stars, as long as there’s great passion and consistency in what you do.
IG handle: @shopnicolascloset
At the current age of 25, Nicola is already running two successful businesses from the comfort of her couch – all of which stems from her passion for food, fashion, sustainability and keeping up with the latest trends.
‘Shop Nicola’s Closet’ launched in 2019 and since then Nicola has helped hundreds sustainably refresh their cupboards. The page is focused on celebrating slow fashion and bringing the worldwide movement of preloved clothing to South Africa.
We love Nicola’s motto, “sustainability is sexy” and we couldn’t agree more.
IG handle: @tukiyas_closet
Tukiya's Closet was founded in 2020 when Tukiya began questioning what it means to leave a legacy after her daughter was born. Being intentional about product consumption is important to her and so naturally, she gravitated towards pre-loved and vintage clothing. In her own words, “This allows me to indulge in fashion, all the while being mindful.” Today, Tukiya's Closet is wildly successful, offering a selection of once-off, quality pre-loved and vintage pieces that are carefully selected and curated with the conscious individual in mind.
Tukiya’s favourite quote to live by is “Closed mouths don’t get fed” meaning it’s important to speak up and ask for what you want. We couldn’t agree more.
We love that Tukiya's Closet is anchored in sustainability and we have no doubt that it will leave a lasting legacy!
IG handle: @yaone_refentse
We can’t get enough of Yaone Refentse’s daily fashion inspiration. She’s a fashion designer, style icon, YouTuber and micro-influencer that was born in Botswana but now lives in Johannesburg. If you head onto her joint YouTube channel Sister Party, you will be all kinds of inspired, as well as be introduced to great local fashion stylists, artists, designers and so much more.
We love that Yaone’s fashion style is so unique and that in her own words she is “just wearing what makes me happy.”
IG handle: @leah.houston
Leah Houston is a social media influencer, content creator and coffee lover with a minimal chic style. Upon landing on her feed, you will immediately notice that she loves neutral colours, because to Leah, beige tones are just so clean and calm. As a law graduate, Leah is also passionate about education and ensures she shares and promotes the importance of education to all her followers and friends.
We love Leah’s inspiring Instagram account that encourages women to be the best versions of themselves, and look good doing it!
We know the fashion industry is forever growing and changing with hundreds of content creators driving fashion influence in South Africa daily. If that’s you, comment on our latest Instagram post and let us know so that we can feature you in our next fashion highlight blog.
If you're in the retail or fashion business and would like to jump on the latest fashion trends and collaborate with the best up and coming fashion influencers, you can chat to us about your next influencer marketing campaign or join us today if you are an aspiring micro-influencer in the fashion industry and beyond.
We’d love to hear from you. For any enquiries, questions or conversations, feel free to contact us.
