Malkerns – The Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival is calling on fashion-forward festivalgoers to compete for the coveted Best Dressed title at this year’s event, set for Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, 2026 at Malandela’s in the House on Fire grounds in Malkerns.
Inspired by this year’s festival theme, Kwasukasukela, meaning “Once Upon a Time,” the competition celebrates fashion as a form of storytelling, where heritage meets contemporary expression and every look carries meaning. Organisers are looking for outfits that draw on ancestral silhouettes, modern African design, woven textures, symbolic patterns and natural materials.
Throughout the two-day festival, the Best Dressed Fashion Police will be scouting standout looks across the grounds. Festivalgoers who catch their eye will be invited to share their name, contact details and the name of their outfit’s designer, before heading to the Best Dressed Booth at the Fashion Café during dedicated photo session slots at 12:00, 14:00, 15:30 and 17:00. 
Finalists will be judged on theme interpretation, creativity and originality, style and presentation, confidence, and craftsmanship and conscious fashion. An independent panel of fashion industry judges will select one Best Dressed Woman and one Best Dressed Man, each crowned as a Luju 2026 Style Icon.
Each winner walks away with E3,000 in cash, the Luju Crown and an exclusive prize package. The announcement will be made live on the Luju Main Stage on Sunday at 6:00 PM.
Employees of the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival and Standard Bank are not eligible to enter. Winners must be present at the festival to receive their awards, and the judges’ decision is final.
Full terms and conditions are available at lujufestival.com.
