There were more hits than misses this year as the local entertainment industry's love affair with fashion was turned up a notch. Pictures: Denzil Jacobs, Lucky Nxumalo, Sebabatso Mosamo and teeveetee.blogspot.com. Above: Bonang Matheba: The reigning red carpet queen kept a tight hold on her title as she fought off rising fashionable talent. Her weapon of choice? Long slinky evening dresses with dainty clutch bags, wide-legged pants paired with form-fitting blazers, and a succession of stovepipe jeans and towering heels.

AKA: The catchy beats, cheeky rhymes and swag are what make this “rapper of the moment” the guy everyone hates to love. He is suave and has great taste in clothes too. Can you spell jealousy?

Lalla Hirayama: She came out of nowhere to claim the red carpet spotlight as her own this year. This Vuzu presenter has been around for a while, but her style metamorphosis happened so subtly that we were left breathless. She’s gorgeous, nice to boot, active in charity and has a timeless sense of style. We heart her!

ProVerb: 2012 is the year ProVerb transformed from chubby rapper in baggies to smooth TV operator in tailored suits. We like!

Liezel van der Westhuizen: Not everyone likes or “gets” her sometimes-eccentric fashion sense. Remember the Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs balloon Cadbury chocolate dress? Yes, that’s what we mean. But this TV and radio personality is adventurous, quirky and always up for the challenge. She gets our vote.

Masego “Maps” Maponyane: Just more than a year ago, he told City Press that his personal style is to “never go for the mundane or ordinary”. His fitted suits saw him bag a spot on the GQ Best Dressed list this year. Watch his star rise in the new year.

Minenhle Dlamini: A former lieutenant of Matheba’s on the now-defunct Live music show, this girl is ruthless in her quest for world domination. Endorsement deals are pouring in, she’s on every media platform you can think of and fashion designers are lopping off reams of material to dress her. However, if she wants to wrestle that crown from “Your Gurl B!” she needs to tone down the boobs and booty flashing, and start practising the “less is more” philosophy.

DJ Zinhle: Her Majesty the Queen of Dance had a fantastic year. As her celebrity profile rose in 2012, so did her visibility on the carpet – and this DJ is fearless. Her love for tight minis, peplum and crazy hairstyles is well documented. As a novice, I suppose we can forgive her the few fashion faux pas she’s had, but in 2013 she’d better up her game and go less severe, or else we won’t be so forgiving.

Andrew Govender: His consistent support for local labels such as Palse Homme points to a heart in the right place. The tailored jackets he sported at the YOU Spectacular Awards and Sansui Summer Cup brought out his sexy best. We like that he’s a minimalist, avoids current trends and opts for a clean, classic style.

Tyrone Keogh: Under those slim-fit jeans and suits is a buff bod worthy of Cosmo’s Sexiest Men calendar. And this year, Ty proved he can look just as hot with his clothes on when he took the top honours at the GQ Best Dressed Men Awards. Swoon over ranger Jack . . .