Actor Warren Masemola among Local Fashion Police 2026 winners

Warren Masemola, renowned for his distinctive fashion choices, has been named a victor in the 2026 Local Fashion Police competition. As part of his prize, Masemola will wear an exclusive outfit crafted by designer Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana, valued at R50,000. The competition, aimed at highlighting local fashion, selects winners after a rigorous process involving months of trend spotting and judging hundreds of entries.

Masemola emerged victorious from a pool of 12 finalists, chosen from across the nation. Four winners will display their unique styles at the final event on November 19. Each will wear a custom-made ensemble created by the judges who selected them. The judges, comprising fashion experts Mpumelelo "Lele" Dhlamini, Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana, Anel Botha, and Rivaldo Louw, each picked a finalist whose style epitomizes the creativity and originality of South African fashion.

Masemola received his award from Makhetha-Kwinana. Other winners include Zintle Gobozi (Anel Botha), Pronestar Lindiwe Masanabo (Rivaldo Louw), and Velile Nongogo (Dhlamini). Each winner receives a custom-made outfit worth R50,000, designed to accentuate their personal fashion expression. The Local Fashion Police competition is crucial for bolstering the local fashion market.

By promoting local-made clothes, shoes, and accessories, the competition creates job opportunities and strengthens the economy. Local Fashion Police, spearheaded by Proudly South African, aims to showcase the beauty of locally produced fashion items while shedding light on the hurdles local makers face, particularly the competition from overseas online retailers.

The winners' runway debut is expected to be a vibrant celebration of South Africa's talented designers and fashion enthusiasts.