Meet The Women Changing the Face of South African Design
In South Africa’s design scene, bold female voices are rewriting the narrative. They’re weaving heritage into contemporary pieces, pushing the boundaries of material innovation, and proving that the most powerful creations often start as deeply personal ideas. At this year’s Decorex Africa, curated by RX, these pioneering women didn’t just showcase their work, but also advice for generations to come.
Xolela Madlanga: Patterns with a Pulse
For visual artist Xolela Madlanga, design began as a happy accident — part doodle, part daydream. From school lessons on Ndebele patterns to painting a friend’s face for a photoshoot, she found a way to turn everyday moments into a career rooted in culture and storytelling. Her vibrant work appeared in the Clout/SA Thread Collection, marking a decade of Nando’s Hot Young Designer programme.
Her advice: “Take yourself seriously and take every chance you can to grow your craft and share it with the world.”
Gillian Holl: Spaces That heal
Gillian Holl, founder of Veld Architects, dares to ask: “What if buildings could heal people?” She built her practice on this radical premise. ‘Stillness in Motion’, her Lexus Pod 2.0 collaboration for Decorex was poetry made tangible. She designed a space that captured the feeling of standing by the ocean while sitting in a luxury car.
Her advice: “You belong here. Trust your voice. The world doesn’t need you to copy what’s already been done, it needs your unique perspective. Don’t be afraid to take up space. Ask questions. Collaborate generously. And let your values lead you.”
Thabiso Mjo: Lighting the Way
Thabiso Mjo of Mash.T Design Studio turned a pendant light competition win into an international design career. Her whimsical Smiley Pendant glows with the nostalgia of Beacon Liquorice Allsorts. She’s also the first South African — and the only one so far — to have work in the permanent collections of Paris’s Pompidou Centre and Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
Her advice: “Back the process, trust your instinct, and feedback or critique is not a criticism of you or your personhood, so don’t take it personally.”
Sinegugu Ngxongo: Woven Legacies
Raised among master weavers whose busy hands told stories, Sinegugu Ngxongo honours ancestral craft with a modern twist. She’s built her practice without formal training, based on something powerful: deep respect for ancestral knowledge. The Hlabisa Bench, co-created with Beauty Ngxongo and Houtlander, marries traditional Zulu basket-weaving with contemporary furniture design. And, her latest piece, The Brooms, turns humble household tools into art that challenges how we see the everyday.
Her advice: “Start with what you know. Your story, your background, your language – they’re all part of your design voice. And don’t wait for permission to take up space. Build your own room if you have to.”
Donna Allin & Christine Daron: Textiles from the Unlikely
Donna Allin and Christine Daron of African Jacquard weave textiles from ‘the wild and unlikely.’ Their SeaCell blanket, made with sustainably harvested seaweed, proved that unconventional materials can feel luxurious — and help the planet. It shows that the willingness to take creative risks that others consider impossible can pay off.
Their advice: “Start now. Even if it’s messy or imperfect. Ask questions. Stay curious. And remember, you don’t need to be loud to be heard.”
Lungiswa Joe: Stories in Clay
From her Cape Town studio, ceramicist Lungiswa Joe shapes vessels that feel like autobiographies. Every curve and glaze speaks to heritage, identity, and quiet strength. Her work carries the essence of both past and present — art that’s as personal as it is timeless.
Her advice: “Embrace the process – it’s a journey of continuous learning. Find your unique voice – what makes your work distinctly yours? Cultivate that. It’s not easy but it comes. And build a community – find your tribe, other makers, or fellow creatives, who will be your oxygen at times when you feel like you can’t breathe.”
Petra Maierhofer: Reflections in Light
Named the 2025 Designer Spotlight, Petra Maierhofer of Artep Studio doesn’t design to a five-year plan — she follows instinct.Her stand featured metallic surfaces that reflected light in ways that made visitors forget they were looking at walls instead of water.
Her advice: “Don’t wait for permission. Don’t be afraid to be both intuitive and practical – design is as much about gut instinct as it is about structure. And trust your taste – if something feels off, it probably is.”
Women in Design: Curated Brilliance
This year’s Women in Design showcase, curated by Bilala Mabuza of Cocoon Lifestyle Studio, celebrated a cross-section of design powerhouses, exploring both legacy and next-generation designers. The exhibition blended legacy and fresh voices, showing that African design is both deeply rooted and globally relevant.
Featured designers include:
- Maira Koutsoudakis (Life Interior Architecture & Strategic Design)
- Andrea Kleinloog and Megan Hesse (Anatomy Design and HK Studio)
- Julia Day (Julia Day Interiors)
- Mpho Vackier (TheUrbanative)
- Lee Ann Bell (Mezzanine Interiors)
- Nicole Botha (Raw Manufacturing)
- Tanya Solomon (Living Inspired)
- Elsa Young (Photographer)
- Sarah de Pina (Photographer)
One thing unites them all: these women refuse to wait for the world to give them space — they create it themselves. And in doing so, they’ve changed not only the face of South African design but also its future.
