Design Academy of Fashion

About DAF

Launched in 1999, the Design Academy of Fashion has quickly become one of the top Fashion schools in South Africa. Founded by Daphne Treadaway, it was bought in 2006 by Bianca Fobian and Suzanne Aldridge.

A vision for continued excellence and a contemporary approach to education has seen the Academy grow in leaps and bounds.

Our Values

Human-Centered

At the core of our values, our human-centred approach focuses on welfare, respect and drives our design process through empathy.

Innovation

By celebrating imagination, we strive to find new ways of thinking and developed design solutions.

Happiness

When we have a positive mindset, productivity, creativity and engagement improves.

Growth

By taking responsibility for growth in all areas of our lives, we become more resilient, adaptable and responsible members of society.

Sustainability

By identifying and acting with environmental and social purpose we can positively impact and add long term value to those around us.

Creative Expression

Create a culture of re-inventing the future by supporting the next generation as they realise their full creative abilities. Focusing on the heart and mind of the designer.

Collaboration

Collaboration with students, faculty, other institutions and industry.

Our Mission

To provide quality education and training, conducive to the optimal development of each student by ensuring individual attention and commitment to learners, in order to maximise their unique potential and equip them to enter the fashion industry in any fashion field with confidence, expert knowledge and skills.

Our Vision

The leading creative participant in private fashion education dedicated to transforming and developing Africa’s creative capital.

Our Approach

We drive a focus on the heart and mind of the designer. Our curriculum is built around a process of delving into “who am I”, “who are you”, and “who are we”. As we engage with ourselves and the world around us. We are able to design with relevance and empathy.