South African style icon Sarah Langa continues to solidify her standing as one of fashion’s most influential voices.
With a Hummingbird Fashion Award nomination now under her belt and upcoming speaking engagements across South Africa, Langa’s evolution from fashion muse to cultural authority is in full stride.
Langa was first introduced to the South African public as a digital creator, but her work has blurred boundaries between fashion, education, and lifestyle storytelling.
Over her career in the digital space, she has walked a few runways and worked with top fashion designers such as MaXhosa and Rich Mnisi, and photographers. Her growing body of work positions her not just as a fashion figure, but as a cultural architect shaping contemporary narratives around African style, voice, and visibility.
In an interview with Lifestyle, Langa explained that she never really set out to be a model in the traditional sense, but she sees herself “as a visual storyteller”.
“Collaborating with designers like MaXhosa and Rich Mnisi came from a place of genuine admiration for their artistry and what they represent for South Africa. When I wear or shoot in their pieces, it’s not just fashion, it’s storytelling through form, texture, and heritage.
“Over time, that naturally transitioned into the modeling space, but it was never about posing it was about embodying the message behind the design.”
Langa recently attended the prestigious Paris Fashion Week and made a defining appearance at the Business of Fashion (BoF) 500 Gala with Nigerian designer Yinka Ash, founder of Ashluxe. Langa turned heads in a custom one-of-one open-back Ashluxe gown designed exclusively for her.
“It’s not just attendance – I’ve come to take over Paris this week,” Sarah said, reflecting on her whirlwind schedule of shows, including Casablanca and Rick Owens, where the respective brands dressed her.
She explained that taking over Paris was symbolic for her, representing a step into global spaces with intention and pride in her heritage. Being invited to the BOF 500 Gala as the official Ashluxe muse, wearing a custom one-of-one open-back dress, was a meaningful moment for Langa but also for African fashion.
“Especially for other South African content creators, being one of the first creators to attend BOF in a room with people like Kim Kardashian, Alton Mason, and other key industry players.”
Langa emphasized that attending the prestigious events and key shows was just for attendance sake, but curating a narrative that positioned South African talent and creativity within an international conversation.
The modeling industry has certainly evolved over the years, with it no longer being just on the runway and magazine spreads. It’s safe to say that the world of modeling has evolved with the boom of the digital industry.
Langa reflects that the lines between modeling, influence, and creativity blurring is a “beautiful thing”.
“Today, brands don’t just want faces; they want voices, values, and communities. The new generation of models are also content creators, entrepreneurs, and storytellers. They’re shaping culture, not just reflecting it.
“I believe the future of modeling will be deeply intertwined with authenticity and purpose. Those who bring meaning and identity into their work and understand their why will lead the next era of the industry.”
Alongside her Paris imprint, Langa’s influence has been officially recognized with a nomination for Fashion Influencer of the Year at the 2025 Hummingbird Fashion Awards, taking place on December 9, 2025, in Frankfurt, Germany.
The nomination, determined by a globally representative jury of over 3,000 fashion authorities, places Langa in the same category as international icons like Aimee Song and Victoria Beckham. The awards celebrate creativity, innovation, and impact in fashion, with proceeds benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
A three-time Wits graduate with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Langa will continue to extend her influence beyond the runway, by headlining two upcoming speaking engagements under the theme “How You Show Up Matters – Building Your Brand Through Style.”
– Durban: October 25, 2025
– Johannesburg: November 1, 2025
These sessions will see Sarah unpack the intersections of fashion, identity, and personal branding, drawing from her own experience as a creative entrepreneur and thought leader.
