Presented by HONOR Magic V6, the milestone 20th-anniversary celebration brought together South Africa’s most influential names in fashion, entertainment, sport and culture to honour the individuals shaping the country’s evolving style landscape.
For two decades, the GQ Best Dressed Awards has celebrated individuals whose influence extends beyond what they wear. On Saturday, 24 October 2026, GQ South Africa marked the 20th anniversary of the iconic awards with an evening dedicated to the personalities, creatives and cultural voices redefining contemporary South African style.
Held at The Venue at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg and presented by HONOR Magic V6, the event brought together leading figures from fashion, entertainment, sport and the creative industries for a celebration of individuality, self-expression and cultural influence.
From timeless tailoring and avant-garde fashion to contemporary streetwear and the growing influence of digital creators, this year’s awards reflected the diversity and confidence of South Africa’s fashion landscape.
More than a celebration of exceptional wardrobes, the GQ Best Dressed Awards recognises the people behind the looks: individuals whose creativity, confidence and cultural contributions continue to influence how South Africans express themselves through style.
MEET THE 2026 GQ BEST DRESSED WINNERS
The 2026 honourees represent the diversity and evolution of South African style, celebrating established cultural figures alongside emerging creatives and influential digital voices.
This year’s winners are:
Best-Dressed Young Creative: Kay Ribane
Best-Dressed Young Creative: Lethabo Woods
Best-Dressed Avant-Garde: Phupho Gumede
Best-Dressed Couple: Luciano Petersen and Rugen Stevens
Best-Dressed Fashion Influencer: Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu
Best-Dressed Creative Impact: Francois Ferreira
Best-Dressed Cultural Influencer: Trevor Stuurman
Best-Dressed Woman: Anele Zondo
Best-Dressed Classic Man: Sergio Inês, founder of What My Boyfriend Wore
Best-Dressed Reader: Kamogelo Traviss Senyatso
Best-Dressed Global Influence Award: Laduma Ngxokolo
Best-Dressed Street Style Content Creator: S’milo Mziyako
Best-Dressed Fashion Icon: Mkay Frash
Best-Dressed Celebrity: Keagan Buchanan
The Best-dressed Celebrity, Keagan Buchanan won himself the HONOR Magic V6 presented by HONOR Product Marketing Manager, Lionel Chen for his distinct personal style.
“Design and style, matched with practicality play a big role into the development of our products. The HONOR Magic V6 is a premium device that blends technological innovation, breathtaking aesthetics, all underpinned by seamlessness when it comes to using the product. These are the key pillars that come to the fore when putting together consistently great style. This common thread is one of the major reasons HONOR partnered with the GQ Best Dressed Awards’, said Chen.
Collectively, the honourees reflect a fashion landscape that is increasingly confident in its identity, connected to its heritage and influential on the global stage.
From Laduma Ngxokolo’s internationally recognised work through MaXhosa, which brings Xhosa heritage into contemporary design, to Trevor Stuurman’s contribution to African fashion and visual culture, the winners demonstrate the many ways style can become a vehicle for cultural expression.
The recognition of emerging creatives, fashion influencers and digital content creators also reflects the changing nature of the industry, where personal storytelling and digital platforms increasingly shape how audiences discover and engage with fashion.
20 YEARS OF DEFINING SOUTH AFRICAN STYLE
Since its inception, the GQ Best Dressed Awards has evolved alongside South Africa’s fashion and cultural industries, recognising the personalities who challenge conventions, establish new standards and inspire others through their approach to personal style.
The 20th anniversary is both a celebration of this legacy and a reflection on the future of South African fashion.
For GQ South Africa, the platform has always been about more than identifying who wears the best clothes. It is about recognising the people who use style to communicate identity, express individuality and contribute to the cultural conversations shaping the country.
Molife Kumona, Editor-in-Chief of GQ South Africa, said:
“Twenty years of GQ Best Dressed is a significant milestone, not just for GQ, but for the broader South African fashion and creative industries. Over the years, we have seen personal style evolve into a powerful form of self-expression, identity and cultural influence.
“This year’s winners represent the many ways that style shows up in our society. They are designers, creatives, entrepreneurs and cultural voices who understand that what you wear can communicate something much bigger than fashion alone. As we celebrate 20 years, we are also looking ahead to the next generation of people who will shape how South Africa sees and expresses itself through style.”
WHERE FASHION MEETS INNOVATION
The 2026 GQ Best Dressed Awards was presented by HONOR Magic V6, bringing together two worlds increasingly connected by design, creativity and self-expression.
As presenting partner, HONOR joined GQ South Africa in celebrating the intersection of fashion, technology and contemporary lifestyle. The partnership reflects a shared appreciation for innovation, individuality and the role design plays in how people express themselves in an increasingly connected world.
The collaboration also highlights the expanding relationship between technology and fashion, where the devices people carry and the tools they use to create are becoming part of their broader personal identities.
THE NEXT CHAPTER OF SOUTH AFRICAN STYLE
As the GQ Best Dressed Awards enters its next chapter, its 20th anniversary serves as a reminder that style is never static. It evolves with the people who wear it, the cultures that shape it and the creative communities that continually redefine it.
From established fashion pioneers to emerging digital creators, the 2026 honourees embody a generation approaching personal style with originality, confidence and purpose.
Two decades on, GQ Best Dressed continues to celebrate those who understand that true style is not simply about following trends. It is about having a point of view, expressing individuality and leaving a lasting impression.
The 20th-anniversary celebration honours the platform’s legacy while looking towards a future in which South African fashion, creativity and cultural influence continue to evolve and command attention.
For the full list of winners and more coverage of the 2026 GQ Best Dressed Awards, visit GQ South Africa:
https://gq.co.za/style/gq-best-dressed/2026-10-24-presenting-the-2026-gq-best-dressed-winners/
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