Twenty years of South African style, individuality and cultural influence came together under one roof as the GQ Best Dressed Awards celebrated its milestone anniversary in Johannesburg. But beyond the standout fashion and celebrated personalities, one moment brought technology and personal style together: the crowning of Best-Dressed Celebrity Keagan Buchanan, who walked away with an HONOR Magic V6.
Presented by HONOR Magic V6, the 20th-anniversary celebration took place on Saturday, 24 October 2026, at The Venue at Melrose Arch. The evening brought together influential figures from fashion, entertainment, sport and the creative industries to honour the people shaping South Africa’s evolving style landscape.
For two decades, the GQ Best Dressed Awards has recognised individuals whose influence goes beyond their wardrobes. This year was no different, celebrating the creativity, confidence and cultural contributions of people who use fashion to express who they are.
From timeless tailoring and avant-garde designs to contemporary streetwear and digital fashion culture, the evening reflected a South African style scene that continues to grow in confidence and individuality.
Keagan Buchanan Takes Home the HONOR Magic V6
One of the evening’s highlights came when Keagan Buchanan was named Best-Dressed Celebrity and received an HONOR Magic V6 in recognition of his distinct personal style.
The device was presented by Lionel Chen, HONOR Product Marketing Manager, reinforcing the partnership between fashion and technology at this year’s awards.
For HONOR, the collaboration represents a shared appreciation for thoughtful design, aesthetics and practicality. These principles are reflected in the brand’s approach to developing products that combine technological innovation with a premium design experience.
“Design and style, matched with practicality play a big role into the development of our products. The HONOR Magic V6 is a premium device that blends technological innovation, breathtaking aesthetics, all underpinned by seamlessness when it comes to using the product. These are the key pillars that come to the fore when putting together consistently great style. This common thread is one of the major reasons HONOR partnered with the GQ Best Dressed Awards,” said Chen.
The partnership also highlights how technology has become part of modern self-expression. The devices people carry and the tools they use to create content increasingly sit alongside fashion as elements of their personal identities.
Meet the 2026 GQ Best Dressed Award Winners
The 2026 winners represent a diverse mix of established cultural figures, emerging creatives, fashion influencers and digital storytellers. Together, they showcase the many ways South Africans interpret and express personal style.
Here is the complete list of this year’s honourees:
- Best-Dressed Young Creative: Kay Ribane
- Best-Dressed Young Creative: Lethabo Woods
- Best-Dressed Avant-Garde: Phupho Gumede
- Best-Dressed Couple: Luciano Petersen and Rugen Stevens
- Best-Dressed Fashion Influencer: Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu
- Best-Dressed Creative Impact: Francois Ferreira
- Best-Dressed Cultural Influencer: Trevor Stuurman
- Best-Dressed Woman: Anele Zondo
- Best-Dressed Classic Man: Sergio Inês, founder of What My Boyfriend Wore
- Best-Dressed Reader: Kamogelo Traviss Senyatso
- Best-Dressed Global Influence Award: Laduma Ngxokolo
- Best-Dressed Street Style Content Creator: S’milo Mziyako
- Best-Dressed Fashion Icon: Mkay Frash
- Best-Dressed Celebrity: Keagan Buchanan
From emerging talent to recognised fashion names, the list captures a style landscape shaped by different generations, creative disciplines and cultural perspectives.
Celebrating Heritage, Creativity and Global Influence
South African fashion tells stories that reach far beyond clothing. It reflects heritage, identity, creativity and the people finding new ways to share these elements with the world.
Among this year’s honourees, Laduma Ngxokolo stands out for his internationally recognised work through MaXhosa, bringing Xhosa heritage into contemporary design. Trevor Stuurman has also made a contribution to African fashion and visual culture, demonstrating the power of style as a form of cultural expression.
The recognition of fashion influencers and digital content creators also reflects a changing industry. Social platforms and personal storytelling increasingly influence how audiences discover designers, engage with fashion and develop their own sense of style.
The result is a fashion culture that draws from its roots while embracing new ideas, creative voices and global opportunities.
Twenty Years of Defining South African Style
Since its inception, the GQ Best Dressed Awards has evolved alongside South Africa’s fashion and cultural industries. Its focus extends beyond identifying the best-dressed individuals to recognising those who challenge conventions, inspire others and use personal style to communicate something meaningful.
The 20th anniversary offered an opportunity to celebrate that legacy while looking towards the next generation of people who will shape the country’s creative future.
Molife Kumona, Editor-in-Chief of GQ South Africa, reflected on the significance of the milestone.
“Twenty years of GQ Best Dressed is a significant milestone, not just for GQ, but for the broader South African fashion and creative industries. Over the years, we have seen personal style evolve into a powerful form of self-expression, identity and cultural influence.
“This year’s winners represent the many ways that style shows up in our society. They are designers, creatives, entrepreneurs and cultural voices who understand that what you wear can communicate something much bigger than fashion alone. As we celebrate 20 years, we are also looking ahead to the next generation of people who will shape how South Africa sees and expresses itself through style.”
His words capture the wider significance of the awards: fashion is not simply about what people wear, but also about the identities they communicate and the cultural conversations they help shape.
Where Fashion Meets Technology
As presenting partner, HONOR Magic V6 joined GQ South Africa in celebrating the connection between fashion, technology and contemporary lifestyle.
The partnership brings two creative worlds together through a shared appreciation for innovation, individuality and design. Fashion allows people to communicate their identities visually, while technology provides tools for connection, creativity and self-expression.
This relationship is becoming increasingly relevant in a digital world, where the way people present themselves extends beyond what they wear. The devices they use and the content they create are also part of how they communicate their interests, personalities and perspectives.
At the 2026 GQ Best Dressed Awards, the HONOR Magic V6 partnership provided a fitting link between these worlds, with Keagan Buchanan’s recognition adding a memorable moment to the evening.
The Next Chapter of South African Fashion
Twenty years after its beginnings, the GQ Best Dressed Awards continues to celebrate people who understand that true style is about more than following trends. It is about individuality, confidence and having a point of view.
The 2026 honourees reflect an industry shaped by established fashion figures, emerging creatives and digital voices who continue to expand the meaning of South African style.
As the awards enter their next chapter, their 20th anniversary stands as both a celebration of the past and a look towards the future. South African fashion continues to evolve through its people, its heritage and its creative communities, finding new ways to make an impact at home and on the global stage.
And with the HONOR Magic V6 bringing technology into the celebration, this year’s milestone offered a reminder that style is no longer confined to the wardrobe. It is part of how people create, connect and express themselves.
For the full list of winners and more coverage of the 2026 GQ Best Dressed Awards, visit GQ South Africa.
