Design Week South Africa 2026 Shapes a New Creative Conversation in Cape Town

Presented by Pinterest, Design Week South Africa returns to Cape Town from 22 to 25 October 2026 with a city-wide celebration of design, culture and collaboration.

Cape Town's creative energy will once again take centre stage this October as Design Week South Africa returns for its 2026 edition. Presented by Pinterest, the four-day programme will transform the city into a dynamic hub of exhibitions, installations, talks, workshops and studio experiences, bringing together designers, architects, artists, makers and brands from across South Africa and beyond.

Under the theme The Shape of Us, this year's event explores the ways design reflects identity, community and place. From architecture and furniture to fashion, textiles, craft and urban design, the programme invites audiences to engage with the ideas, objects and people shaping contemporary African design.

One of the standout exhibitions is UNBUILT, a new initiative presented by Design Week South Africa and sponsored by dhk Architects. Hosted at Short MARKET in partnership with the Mission for Inner City Cape Town, the exhibition focuses on public space, mobility, infrastructure and the future of South African cities. Launching on 23 October, it provides a platform for proposals, prototypes and speculative projects that reimagine how urban environments can better serve their communities.

Architecture continues to play a significant role throughout the programme. Renowned practice SAOTA will reflect on its four-decade legacy through Shaped by Place: 40 Years of Architectural Practice, while MŪVEK and CVN explore the intersection of architecture and furniture design through a collection informed by spatial thinking. Visitors can also join dhk Architects on a guided tour of Conradie Park in Pinelands, examining housing, urban planning and public space, while The MAAK and The Otto Foundation unveil the Dream Library, a learner-led project developed with Dryden Street Primary School.

Established South African design brands are also using the week as a launchpad for new ideas. Weylandts introduces The With, described as an exploration of connection and good living, realised as a specially created Design Week bar. Haldane and NØDE debut the il Noir Edition, a sculptural reinterpretation of the Galapagos outdoor kitchen island, while Pedersen + Lennard hosts The Industry Dialogue, bringing together leading voices to discuss the future of South African design.

International participation continues to expand. Dubai-based Objects by Eight (OBE) collaborates with TSL on a collectible design showcase featuring independent makers from Africa and the Middle East. Italian design brand Molteni&C opens its Cape Town showroom for a multidisciplinary exhibition featuring local artists, textile makers and musicians, while Sun Stories, based in London and Accra, presents works by Ghanaian artist David Obeng Adane at Curación Gallerie.

A key component of the programme is the popular Morning Sessions, where thought leaders and practitioners explore topics ranging from sustainability and urbanism to design innovation and fashion. Speakers include Pinterest's Eoin Carrigan, designer Atang Tshikare and Tanya Slater of Artclub and Friends, among others.

Throughout the city, visitors can discover new collaborations and creative projects. Highlights include PICHULIK and Piano Terra's SASSO, a partnership that creates a dialogue between jewellery and design, as well as a collaborative project between Superella and Third Floor Studios. Open studios, workshops and guided tours, including offerings from aēsplore, provide opportunities for audiences to engage directly with designers and makers behind the work.

Pinterest Brings Trends to Life

As title sponsor, Pinterest extends its involvement beyond the official programme through a series of activations inspired by Pinterest Predicts 2026, the platform's annual trend forecast.

Among these is a collaboration between ceramic studio Nammu and Cape Town artist Koooooos. Drawing inspiration from the ancient tradition of collaboration between potter and painter, the project launches a collection of artist-designed vessels alongside a large-scale mural on the exterior of Nammu's new East City studio.

Another notable activation celebrates a milestone for local fashion label Good Good Good, which marks its tenth anniversary through a curated exhibition featuring Pinterest boards and creative references from some of South Africa's leading designers and artists. Contributors include Jana Hamman, Kgabo Mametja, Shaun Hill, Karabo Poppy, Russell Abrahams and Wanda Lephoto. The exhibition will also showcase archival works and collaborations from the brand's decade-long history.

A Platform for South African Design

Since its launch in 2024, Design Week South Africa has rapidly established itself as one of the country's leading creative platforms, hosting more than 200 activations, exhibitions, discussions and workshops across Johannesburg and Cape Town.

By activating galleries, studios, showrooms, retail spaces and public venues, the initiative continues to create opportunities for exchange, collaboration and visibility across the local design industry. More importantly, it brings design into the everyday life of the city, making creativity accessible to wider audiences and fostering conversations about how design shapes the future.

Design Week South Africa 2026, presented by Pinterest, takes place from 22 to 25 October 2026 in Cape Town. For the full programme, visit the Design Week South Africa website.