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Glad Rags 2026 Turns Textile Waste Into Wearable Art in Gqeberha

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May 8, 2026

Discarded curtains, bedding, upholstery and fabric offcuts are being transformed into fashion statements as Glad Rags 2026 officially moves into its next creative phase in Gqeberha.

The initiative recently hosted a textile selection event at Walmer Park Shopping Centre, where participating designers and personalities selected donated materials that will be reworked into garments for the upcoming Glad Rags fashion showcase.

Founded and led by Denise Roodt, Glad Rags continues to spotlight sustainable fashion while encouraging local creatives to rethink textile waste and environmental impact.

The project combines fashion, storytelling and community collaboration, with each designer paired alongside well-known local personalities who will model either daywear or eveningwear garments at the official fashion show on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at the Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences building, home to the Digital Dome.

Designers and personalities paired for Glad Rags 2026

The confirmed pairings include:

Thomas Lee (Terblanche) with Julie Oates and Roch-Lé Bloem

Thom-Thami Uduojie with Jessica Wolmarans and Gail Brown

Andre Cloete with Kelly Millborrow and Suriya Aroonslam-Moodley

Marenda Speelman with Zenizole Gaga and Lauren Nash

Anita Sali with Gabi Baatjes and Sesethu Qgomo Seyibokwe

Algene Koeberg-Van Boomen with Candice Parker and Noma Nicol

Jan-Hendrik van Zyl with Priscilla Potgieter and Lucia Mtshake-Ntshona

Alongside the showcase garments, each designer is also creating three garments for a Glad Rags capsule range. These items will later be sold online and at a pop-up shop hosted at Walmer Park Shopping Centre.

The capsule garments will be modelled by talent from Sophisticate Model Agency, owned by Gail Brown, who is also one of this year’s participating personalities.

More than a fashion show

According to project founder Denise Roodt, Glad Rags is about more than clothing.

“Glad Rags is about showing that waste still has worth. These fabrics may have been curtains, upholstery, tablecloths, bedding or offcuts, but in the hands of talented designers they can become something beautiful, meaningful and completely new.”

This year’s project also includes collaboration with Nelson Mandela University and its Fashion Department, with second-year fashion students set to create garments that will later feature in a second Glad Rags showcase at Walmer Park Shopping Centre in July.

Refreshments for the June showcase will be provided by The Lemon Tree, owned by Lauren Nash, while shoes for the daywear looks will be sponsored by Julz Shoes, owned by Julie Oates.