About Us
Martin West Designs is a South African manufacturer of custom sublimated sportswear, swimwear and teamwear, based in Durban. We specialise in team swimwear, team running kits, lifesaving club kit, and apparel for golf estates and country clubs. We design, print and sew every garment in our own factory — manufactured to order, with no minimum order quantity, in 10–14 working days. We have manufactured athletics kit for the South African team at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, and we supply schools, sports clubs, national teams and businesses across South Africa and internationally. The company was formerly known as DG Apparel.
Our Story
Martin West Designs was founded in 2000 by internationally acclaimed designer Dax Martin and his daughter Saphire West — hence the name Martin West. What began as the Dax Martin swimwear and lingerie brand, featured on Top Billing and other lifestyle shows and worn on international stages including Miss South Africa and Miss World (2009 & 2010), has grown into one of South Africa's most innovative performance apparel factories.
Every garment is still designed, sublimation-printed and sewn under one roof at our factory in Glen Anil, Durban.
Firsts We're Proud Of
Innovation is in our DNA. Martin West Designs is responsible for:
- The first laser-cut running vest — seamless, ultralight and chafe-free.
- The reversible water polo zip suit for ladies — two kits in one garment.
- Ground-breaking developments in fight tights, triathlon kit, lifesaving apparel and compression wear.
Our laser innovations have been worn on the world's biggest stages: we designed specific garments for the South African athletics team at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, and have manufactured kit for South African modern pentathlon, South African water polo and South African lifesaving.
Trusted by Champions
Trading then as DG Apparel, we were awarded preferred supplier to Swimming South Africa (2015/16) for our state-of-the-art water polo kit — which led to developing and producing the Scottish Swimming national water polo team kit.
Water Sports
Racing swimwear (fastbacks, kneeskins, jammers), water polo kit and club swimwear for teams nationwide — including the South African national water polo team.
Running & Athletics
We supply custom running vests and club kit to over 40 running clubs across South Africa, as well as clubs in neighbouring countries. Long-standing clubs include Bluff, Crusaders and Wings Athletics.
Golf Estates & Country Clubs
Custom golf shirts, ladies golf dresses and branded club apparel for golf estates and country clubs.
Triathlon & Cycling
Team kits for South Africa and abroad — including South African modern pentathlon — using Italian-produced performance fabrics by Carvico and imported tri/cycle pads.
Lifesaving
Kit and rash vests for lifesaving clubs and organisations across the country. We have manufactured the South African lifesaving team kit.
Martial Arts
Fight tights for Bad Boy MMA SA, amongst others.
National Sport Kit
National running, soccer and hockey kits combining high-fashion style with high-performance durability — including Warrior Gear compression apparel for the Warrior obstacle races (warrior.co.za).
Why Made-to-Order Matters
We're a factory, not a reseller. Because we cut, print and sew in-house:
- No minimums — order one garment or a thousand.
- Any design — fully custom branding for your team, school or business.
- Premium technical fabrics — 4-way stretch spandex, anti-fade sublimation prints, chlorine-resistant swimwear.
- All sizes — junior to 5XL, manufactured to order in 10–14 working days.
The Country Club Collection
Designed by co-founder Saphire West, our Country Club Collection brings the Martin West standard of fit and fabric to club and leisure wear.
Our Team Behind the Scenes
See inside our factory: watch the video or visit our YouTube channel.
Need custom kit? Get a quote — Made in-house. Made in South Africa.