Monkey Shoulder Threads the Needle at Soweto Fashion Week
Monkey Shoulder Threads the Needle at Soweto Fashion Week — and Raises a Glass to African Fashion Royalty
This May, Monkey Shoulder swapped barrels for boldness as the official pouring partner of Soweto Fashion Week 2025 – and true to form, they didn’t just pour; they performed. Think cocktails with character, streetwear with swagger, and a stylish new showdown that turned heads and timelines.
In the VIP lounge, whisky wasn’t the only thing served. The space came alive with a bold mural by 2024 Brushstroke Battle winner George Mars, curated to reflect the SFW theme with a riot of colour, creativity, and culture. It quickly became the go-to content spot for stylists, influencers, and industry insiders.
But Monkey Shoulder wasn’t just there for the party. The brand officially launched its Street Thread Battle – a Johannesburg-based designer search that champions the next wave of fashion rebels. With a cash prize of R20,000, a mentorship from Fulu Rathumbu, a collaboration with the BLANK Collection, and a chance to debut a collection at Soweto Fashion Week November 2025, this isn’t just a competition. It’s a career-making opportunity.
Entries are now open at https://monkeyshoulderthreadbattle.webflow.io — fashion students, rebels and visionaries, this one’s for you.
On opening night, media personality Shamiso Mosaka helped usher in this next frontier for the brand where whisky meets wearable culture, and fashion breaks free from the traditional seams.
And speaking of fashion forces, Monkey Shoulder proudly raised a glass to debut designer House of Ayanda, who made her first-ever SFW appearance this season. Her A/W 2025 collection layered Afro-modern aesthetics with rich cultural storytelling – a blend of heritage and innovation that echoed Monkey Shoulder’s own ethos: The Whisky That Blends the Rules.
Her minimalist-meets-maximalist style and collaborative spirit made her the perfect fit for a fashion week fuelled by disruption, and a whisky brand that celebrates those who colour outside the lines.
From the runway to the rocks, Soweto Fashion Week 2025 was proof that great things happen when you dare to blend.
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