'Field to Fashion'
Mihlali Baleka|Published
Orlando Pirates set to make runway history at South African Fashion Week.
Reigning Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates are set to add another feather to their cap by participating in South African Fashion Week (SAFW) on Saturday, October 24, at The Forum, Hyde Park Corner, in Johannesburg.
The Buccaneers have teased a cryptic message regarding a looming appearance at the country’s premier gathering for lovers of all things stylish and luxurious.
Held biannually in Johannesburg, SAFW brings together established brands and budding talents to showcase their lookbooks for the upcoming 2027 season.
Pirates have a history of embracing their creative side. Acclaimed South African designer Thebe Magugu previously collaborated with kit sponsor Adidas to create the team's 2023/24 home and away jerseys, blending high-fashion streetwear with football culture.
Honouring the club’s moniker, "The Ghost," the home jersey featured traditional black and white with the skull and crossbones prominent on the front. The away jersey, in a striking pistachio green, included a custom Thebe Magugu back-neck signature and a raised crest, accompanied by a reversible bucket hat for extra versatility.
According to the SAFW website, the showcase featuring the Buccaneers is titled ‘Field to Fashion’ and will serve as the penultimate show of the season. The event promises to bring vibrant energy to the runway by pairing athletes with leading South African stylists and designers, including Neo Serati, David Tlale, Good Good Good, and Yona.
“Sport has always dressed itself. The arrival, the tunnel walk, the post-match interview, and the stands have become stages of their own, and what gets worn on them shapes how South Africans dress far beyond the ninety minutes. Field to Fashion takes that instinct and hands it to South African designers, with leading stylists creating individual looks that carry personal style off the field,” the website read.
It seems unlikely, however, that members of Pirates’ first team will trade their football boots for the runway, as the squad is currently preparing for a CAF Champions League fixture against African Stars on Friday evening.
Pirates will enter the clash with a narrow advantage after beating the Namibian side 1-0 last weekend. Advancing to the group stage of the tournament is well within reach, provided the home side prevents the visitors from finding the back of the net.
Still, as in football, anything is possible. It would certainly be a treat for fashion lovers and football fanatics alike to see the likes of Oswin Appollis strutting their stuff on the runway.