Introduction

Last year, Sanlam decided to raise the bar for fashion journalists by launching the inaugural Sanlam SA Fashion Journalism Awards.

As part of their sponsorship of Sanlam SA Fashion Week - and their commitment to growing the local fashion industry - Sanlam's aim was to raise the standard of fashion journalism, as well as encourage debate around this vibrant industry.

While the fashion industry provides thousands of jobs and contributes approximately R37 billion to the country's gross domestic product it is, more often than not, treated as a frivolous topic in the media who prefer to focus on the stereotypical, tabloid image of the fashion world.

The Sanlam SA Fashion Journalism Awards is designed to challenge these clichés.

Professor Lizette Rabie, Chair of the Department of Journalism at Stellenbosch University and member of the 2007 judging panel, had the following to say about the awards: "One could gather from the entries that the fashion industry in South Africa is vibrant and exciting, with journalists reflecting this in their work and what they produce to inform, entertain and educate their readers."

This year, Sanlam once again prepares to challenge and recognize South African journalists in two categories: Fashion Writing and Fashion Editing.

Judges will be looking for in-depth profiles on people in fashion, insightful articles about the industry, creative visual expression, and attention to detail in fashion editorials.
Above all, judges are looking for journalists who have a passion for fashion that is tempered with a respect for what the industry represents globally.

Are you up to the challenge?

Fashion celebrates the individual.  We celebrate you.