A global fashion legacy is coming to Johannesburg.
For the first time, the Pierre Cardin Young Designers Award (PCYDA) is heading to South Africa.
Maison Pierre Cardin will present the South African edition of the international competition in collaboration with South Africa Fashion Week, directed by Lucilla Booyzen.
Taking place from 19 to 21 October 2026, the three-day event will bring fashion students, emerging designers and the Pierre Cardin creative team together in Johannesburg.
The programme will culminate in the Pierre Cardin Fashion Show at The Forum Hyde Park.
It will also mark the House’s first-ever runway show in South Africa, under the artistic direction of Rodrigo Basilicati Cardin, President and Artistic Director of Pierre Cardin.
A relationship spanning more than 30 years
The arrival of PCYDA in South Africa carries a deeper meaning for Maison Pierre Cardin.
The House has maintained a presence in the country for more than three decades. That relationship dates back over 30 years and reflects its longstanding connection with the South African market.
One of its most significant moments came in September 1995, when Pierre Cardin personally met Nelson Mandela, then President of the Republic of South Africa.
The encounter became a symbolic moment in the designer’s relationship with the country and its history.
Now, Maison Pierre Cardin is renewing that connection.
By bringing PCYDA to South Africa for the first time, the House is opening its platform to a new generation of creative talent.
A competition built around the future
Created in 2022, the Pierre Cardin Young Designers Award is an international initiative focused on discovering, mentoring and promoting emerging fashion designers.
The competition draws inspiration from Pierre Cardin’s pioneering vision.
That vision connects fashion, architecture, technology and innovation.
Under the leadership of Rodrigo Basilicati Cardin, the legacy continues to evolve through an emphasis on bold, forward-thinking and sustainable approaches to fashion.
The competition has since expanded across Europe, Asia, the United States and the Middle East.
Its international editions have already welcomed more than 170 young designers.
More than 17 finalists have also received paid internships at the Pierre Cardin Design Studio in Paris.
Since 2025, the competition has introduced additional distinctions, including the Creativity Award and the Potential Award, recognising exceptional talent.
From classroom to creative industry
PCYDA is positioned as more than a design competition.
It provides an immersive platform where education, creativity and professional mentorship meet.
For emerging designers, the opportunity extends beyond presenting a collection.
Participants can engage directly with industry leaders, gain professional insight and become part of the Pierre Cardin creative legacy.
That approach will be brought directly to Johannesburg when the South African edition begins on Monday, 19 October 2026.
Johannesburg becomes the meeting point
The opening day will feature an exclusive workshop in Johannesburg.
Fashion students will meet Rodrigo Basilicati Cardin and the Pierre Cardin design team.
Throughout the day, students will present their creative projects, receive professional mentorship and take part in discussions focused on innovation, creativity and the future of fashion.
It is an opportunity to put emerging South African creativity into conversation with an internationally established fashion house.
The runway finale
The three-day programme will reach its conclusion on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at The Forum Hyde Park in Johannesburg.
The evening will feature the Pierre Cardin Fashion Show, presenting an exclusive selection of the House’s latest creations.
It will also host the Pierre Cardin Young Designers Award Final.
The finalists will present their collections before the distinguished jury, with the evening culminating in the announcement of the competition’s winning designer.
For South Africa’s emerging fashion community, it will be a significant moment.
A competition created to discover and mentor the next generation of designers will meet a country with a long-standing relationship with one of fashion’s historic names.
And after more than three decades of Pierre Cardin’s presence in South Africa, that connection is entering a new chapter.
19–21 October 2026. Johannesburg.
The PCYDA has arrived.
