On Sunday, May 31, the Sunny Day Bar Restaurant transformed into more than just a venue. For one day, it became a runway, a gallery, and a statement. The second annual Bellafash Fashion Show didn’t just showcase clothes. It showcased grit, culture, and the fire that burns in Maboneng’s underground fashion scene.
This year’s edition doubled down on its mission to give kudos and shine a spotlight to the stylists, designers, models, and creatives who usually work in the margins. No big sponsors. No international press. Just raw talent, community support, and fashion that speaks for itself. Bellafash was born from a simple frustration too many talented designers were being ignored by mainstream fashion platforms. Sunday’s show flipped that script.
From netted crochet pieces to bold streetwear with a unique twist, each collection told a story. This wasn’t fast fashion. It was slow, and deeply personal. Designers used the runway to talk about identity, resilience, and what it means to create art in a country where the industry is still finding its feet. “It’s about expression,” one designer said backstage. “We don’t always get the big platforms. So we make our own. Bellafash is ours.”Said Fhathu Baloyi a fashion designer.
That sentiment echoed through the crowd. Models walked with confidence not just because of the clothes, but because they knew they were representing something bigger a generation of creatives refusing to wait for permission. True to its name, Bellafash blended more than fashion. Local musicians and DJs provided the soundtrack, turning the runway into a live performance. Artists displayed pieces around the venue, making it clear this was a full cultural showcase, not just a catwalk.
The vibe at Sunny Day Bar was electric but intimate. Friends and fashion lovers packed the space, cheering loudest not for the most expensive look, but for the most authentic one. In a world obsessed with trends, Bellafash celebrated originality.
