A Fashion Affair,

About the event

In February 2026, ZAWADi will host its second fashion showcase in Cape Town - a celebration of craftsmanship, culture and community. This milestone event will be extra special, marking both our brand’s 10-year anniversary.

ZAWADi is a luxury crochet clothing brand built on the belief that fashion can be a force for empowerment. Our mission extends beyond creating beautiful, handcrafted pieces - we use our platform to uplift African women and youth through creativity, skill-sharing and opportunity.

The showcase will feature a curated line-up of local designers, artisan vendors, and live experiences that bring together fashion lovers, industry leaders and conscious consumers. Through our Creators Fund, we also invest back into emerging talent - offering mentorship, financial support and access to networks that can help young entrepreneurs thrive.

We are inviting sponsors and partners who share our vision to join us in bringing this celebration to life. Whether through financial backing, in-kind contributions or creative collaborations, your support will directly impact both the event and the lives of the creatives we champion.

Why should you sponsor?

Supporting A Fashion Affair is more than an investment in an event…it’s an investment in people, culture and the future of African creativity.

Our showcase is a platform where artistry meets impact. Every sponsorship directly contributes to empowering women and youth, nurturing small businesses and preserving craftsmanship. 

For sponsors, it’s a chance to:

•Align your brand with values of sustainability, empowerment, and creativity.

•Engage with a discerning, style-conscious audience who value authenticity and community.

•Gain visibility in a vibrant cultural space, both at the event and through our extended digital storytelling.

•Play an active role in the growth of emerging entrepreneurs through our Creators Fund initiative.

Sharon Phaleng

My name is Sharon Phaleng and I’m the founder and creative soul behind ZAWADi. I was born in Polokwane and raised in Gauteng, where my love for design began at just three years old.

 

At 19, I took a meaningful step toward my dream by enrolling at LISOF to sharpen my skills and deepen my understanding of fashion. It was during that time that ZAWADi came to life - not just as a brand, but as a heartfelt expression of my story, my creativity and my purpose.

 

The name ZAWADi is inspired by my second name, Neo, which means “gift” in Swahili. And that’s exactly what I want my work to be, a gift to every woman who wears it.

 

ZAWADi was created with a clear intention: to design custom, one-of-a-kind pieces that empower women to feel confident, seen and celebrated. Every garment I create is thoughtfully crafted with love and care. I believe fashion is a form of art  and I’ve been blessed with the gift to turn that art into something wearable, expressive and deeply personal.

 

Beyond designing, I’ve built this brand as a platform to uplift and collaborate with other creatives - giving them space to showcase their work, share their voices and grow in their own unique journeys.

 

ZAWADi is more than a fashion label it’s a celebration of individuality, artistry and of the power we each carry when we embrace who we truly are.

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