How South African fashion brands can leverage BRICS partnerships to access new markets

The expansion of BRICS and its growing role in the global economy open new possibilities for creative industries, including fashion. For South African designers and emerging labels, the group offers a structured pathway into major consumer markets. By strategically aligning with BRICS, South African fashion brands can turn visibility into sales, and creative identity into sustainable business growth.

Expanding South African Fashion Across BRICS Markets

Events such as Soweto Fashion Week provide a launchpad for local designers. From there, the BRICS+ network creates natural next steps: Shanghai Fashion Week in China, Moscow Fashion Week in Russia, and Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Brazil each offer entry points into distinct but complementary markets.

Within Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia present additional opportunities for South African brands. Thanks to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), South African brands benefit from tariff reductions and improved regional logistics, making expansion across the continent more practical and cost-effective.

Meeting standards and staying compliant

For successful entry into BRICS and adjacent markets, South African fashion brands must pay close attention to compliance requirements. Each destination has its own labelling and product standards, so care labels and fibre content information should be provided in multiple languages, supported by test reports where required. Protecting intellectual property is equally important: trademarks should be registered in markets such as Russia, China, Brazil, and the UAE before wholesale exposure to reduce the risk of brand squatting.

On the financial side, brands need to establish compliant systems for cross-border payments and taxation.