SNAPS | Tears for AKA and gratitude for life was the order of the SA Style Awards 2023

The South African Style Awards 2022/3 took place on Sunday and the order of the day was celebrating authenticity and being grateful for life in the aftermath of the tragic deaths of AKA and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.

In line with the month of love, the guests looked stunning in red, according to the theme of the night “Dare to be Red”. The ceremony was held at the prestigious Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre.

The awards, around for 25 years, recognise and celebrate people with a different style.

Host Lalla Hirayama and TV and radio personality Alan Ford explained to the crowd that style is all about what you have achieved in your career that has changed your industry in some way.

The crowd took a moment to remember the lost life of the rapper and the mood not noticeably sombre as Lalla teared up at the realisation that she was talking about AKA in the past tense.

Check out how some of the celebrities showed up and slayed:

The winners list:

Most Innovative Style winner: Acclaimed content creator and businesswoman, Kim Jayde,

Most Stylish Performing Artist in Film/TV winner: Nambitha Ben-Mazwi,

Most Stylish Performing Artist in Music winner: Boity Thulo,

Most Stylish Media Personality winner: Leanne Manas,

Most Stylish Fashion Designer winner: Craig Jacobs,

Most Stylish Model winner: Rosette Ncwana,

Most Stylish Business Personality winners: Jeff and Teddy Zaki,

Most Stylish Couple winners: Lamiez Holworthy and Khuli Chana,

Most Stylish Changemaker winner: Refilwe Modiselle,

The Next Big Thing winners: Galaletsang Tshungu, also known as Halle Robinson, and Lebo George Molaolwa, also known as Lebo Molax, and

Style Icon winner: Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse.

Load-shedding hit as the crowd was jamming along to Hotstix's hit song Burn Out, before he was to make a speech, but the bubbly crowd continued singing until the generator kicked in, showing just how much they love the stylish icon.

In his speech, the legendary musician spoke about gender-based violence and urged men to stop hurting the women and children in their lives. He also asked people not to lose their humanity in a world that has become cruel.

Each winner was a guest of Southern Sun, Hyde Park for the night of the ceremony. They also received a sumptuous night's stay in the Presidential suite at @Sandton Hotel, experiential luxury treatments from LUEUR Aesthetics & Wellness spa and their wonderful suppliers, gifts from Panier de Sens and Kendall and Kylie Ready-to-Wear as well as hair treatments from the home of hair care, Carlton Hair.