What G20 in South Africa could mean for textile and fashion industries, especially across BRICS nations?

Hosting the G20 in South Africa would not only be a diplomatic milestone but also a strategic opportunity to reshape the textile and fashion industries across developing economies, particularly within BRICS nations. South Africa is both a founding member of the G20 and a founding member of BRICS.

Elevating African and BRICS fashion on the global stage

The G20 would bring the world’s most powerful economies and decision-makers directly into the African creative ecosystem. For South Africa, and by extension BRICS countries, this presents an opportunity to showcase local design talent, craftsmanship, and sustainability models rooted in cultural identity.

Fashion weeks – such as Soweto Fashion Week, Moscow Fashion Week and Sao Paulo Fashion Week – and textile expos and creative showcases aligned with the G20 could highlight the innovation taking place outside traditional fashion capitals.

Encouraging intra-BRICS collaboration

The G20 provides a global setting for BRICS fashion and textile alliances to strengthen, creating pathways for cross-border manufacturing, co-branded collections and designer exchanges. For example, China’s advanced textile production capacity could partner with South Africa’s growing design talent and Brazil’s eco-friendly material innovation, building a more cohesive BRICS fashion identity that competes collectively on the global stage.

Positioning sustainable fashion as a development priority

As climate and sustainability continue to dominate the G20 agenda, BRICS countries could use this platform to advocate for fair-trade policies, green textile innovation and support for developing nations in transitioning to sustainable production. South Africa, as host, could elevate textiles and fashion not merely as creative sectors but as drivers of job creation, environmental innovation, and cultural diplomacy.

Strengthening creative-economy diplomacy

Hosting the G20 would allow South Africa – and by extension BRICS – to reshape global narratives around fashion and creativity. By integrating fashion and textiles into discussions on global trade, climate action and social inclusion, BRICS nations could demonstrate that creativity is an economic force as well as a cultural expression.

Having the G20 take place in South Africa would be far more than a political gathering; it would be a statement that the global conversation is finally moving closer to the Global South, where innovation, resilience and creativity are redefining industries such as fashion and textiles.

For those of us in the fashion sector, particularly within BRICS countries, this represents an extraordinary opportunity. It allows our designers, manufacturers and creative entrepreneurs to participate in a global dialogue on trade, sustainability and cultural exchange. It is a moment to show that our fashion is not only beautiful; it is economically significant, job-creating and deeply connected to community development.

I believe the G20 in South Africa could inspire new investment into the textile value chain – from cotton fields to catwalks – modernising production while preserving the authenticity of our craft. It could also strengthen collaboration among BRICS nations, each of which brings unique strengths: India’s textile expertise, Brazil’s sustainable innovation, China’s manufacturing scale, Russia’s technical design capabilities, and South Africa’s cultural creativity.

Most importantly, it is a chance for the world to see that African and BRICS fashion are not following trends; we are shaping the future of ethical, inclusive and sustainable fashion. The G20 could be the bridge connecting our creative industries to the global economy in a more meaningful and equitable way.