Sustainability and fashion platform, Twyg, has announced the fifth edition of the Africa Textile Talks, taking place from 29 July to 31 July 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. This three-day gathering, presented by Twyg (South Africa) and Imiloa Collective (Mauritius), brings together practitioners, manufacturers, designers and visionaries from across the African textile ecosystem to explore and advance sustainable, circular, and regenerative practices.
Tuesday 29 July: CIRCULARITY IN CLOTHING AND TEXTILES
Opening the week, they’ll be hosting experts and practitioners of circular solutions. This day of talks, discussions and networking is designed for professionals, researchers, academics, and others who work in clothing and textile manufacturing and who have (and seek) solutions to the end-of-life of the items they produce, and of production waste.
This first day explores how circular design, recycling systems, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies could shape the future of fashion and textiles in South Africa.
Confirmed speakers are Dr Linus Naik (managing director of Green Gap Consulting), Jesse Naidoo (Clothes2Good), Gary Erasmus (MD of full-scale textile recycling company Connacher), David Torr (co-founder and co-CEO of Faro), Dr Philippa Notten (Pippa, a principal consultant at The Green House), and Roan Snyman (circular economy analyst at Green Cape)
All imagery courtesy of Twyg, Photography by The Dollie House
Wednesday 30 July: WOOLCYCLE
The WoolCycle event, co-hosted with Cape Wools SA, brings together key stakeholders from across South Africa, and beyond, to engage in discussions about the challenges and opportunities in the wool value chain. The purpose of these discussions is to explore the wool industry in South Africa and to promote sustainability, inclusivity, ethical practices, and to meet the demands of responsible consumers.
This day unpacks the full story of wool—from farm to fashion —through the voices of farmers, processors, designers, and retailers. African Textile Talks will examine opportunities for greater traceability, the role of regenerative grazing, and how designers are rethinking wool’s role in circular fashion.
Deon Saayman (CEO at Cape Wools SA), Matthew van Lingen (Karoo regenerative sheep farmer), Gugu Peteni (luxury fashion designer), Stefan Gerber (founder of Gerber and Co), Leandi Mulder (head of department at Design Academy of Fashion), Ronel Jordaan (textile artist)
Thursday 31 July: THREAD WITH CARE
Finally, Thread with Care, a full day of inspiring and informative talks, will appeal to industry insiders, designers, makers and consumers. In times of uncertainty, we seek comfort in what is closest to us—our second skin. Cloth, more than a mere covering, is a protective layer that soothes, shields, and connects us to the world. We will explore the healing power of fibre and textiles at a time when the world feels unnerving and unsettled. The textiles we wear and surround ourselves with should not harm us, nor should they add to the destruction of our planet. Instead, they should be free of toxins, imbued with care, and capable of regenerating the earth and communities that create them.
The final day celebrates the diverse worlds of textiles in Africa—from slow making to high-tech innovation. The day will hear from artists, designers, manufacturers and visionaries who are weaving new narratives of sustainability, heritage, and bold material experimentation.
Dr Aaniyah Martin (South African environmentalist and social designer), Osione Itegboje (co-founder of This Is US), Danayi Madondo (creative director of Haus of Stone), and Sessi K (Fashion entrepreneur and multidisciplinary visual artist)
Key Takeaways:
Be inspired by ideas at the intersection of fashion, culture, sustainability and the circular economy. The speakers are innovators, artisans, researchers, and designers from across Africa. They bring deep expertise and fresh vision to the urgent questions of our time. Gain insights to move beyond incremental action and join this growing community of changemakers.
Build powerful connections with changemakers and collaborators. Africa Textile Talks is more than a conference—it’s a gathering of minds and hands, where cross-sector dialogue sparks partnerships, creative solutions, and long-term impact. Whether you’re a maker, thinker, or funder, this is a space for collective growth.
Shape the future of African textiles and circular design. Join the conversation, share your insights, and help reframe what is possible for regenerative fashion and sustainable systems on the continent.
Book tickets to African Textile Talks here
Press release courtesy of Twyg
For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za
