Mahlet Afework, the founder of Ethiopia’s Mafi Fashion Academy and Lab speaking at the event launch at the Italian Embassy in Addis Ababa. Source: Mafi Fashion Academy and Lab.
Hello again {{first_name}},
It’s been a minute! I took a break to refuel (life & work have been extra taxing lately) and to make some upgrades to the newsletter.
You can see some of them right now (can you? 👀) and others will show up in coming weeks. The sign up survey got a MAJOR one — it’s shorter, simpler, better. Would you mind taking it again?
I’ve now invested a bit more in growing this, and I really hope to make this the round when I start and don’t stop — for anything. On to the news:
Across Africa
Mafi Mafi founder Mahlet Afework has established the Mafi Fashion Academy & Lab, “a groundbreaking institution designed to bridge the gap in quality fashion education in Ethiopia and Africa.” - OkayAfrica
Takealot has officially sold Superbalist (after denying sale rumours that first surfaced in March) to focus on competing with Amazon (not SHEIN & Temu, too). Takealot/MrD will still deliver for Superbalist. - My Broadband
Woolworths’ is losing some market share to SHEIN, Temu, and other international online stores. After a couple of years of promising growth, its fashion/beauty/home division is declining again. CEO Roy Baggatini is betting on their new ‘concept stores‘ to turn things around - Moneyweb
Chommies has hired Decorex Africa’s Bielle Bellingham to lead marketing & business development for their pet-lifestyle brand that has recently expanded into fashion. - Bizcommunity
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Now Hiring
Lagos Space Programme, Tshepo Jeans, GQ South Africa & more.
Role | Company | City |
|---|---|---|
Lagos Space Programme | Lagos | |
GARMSPOT | Lagos | |
TSHEPO JEANS | Johannesburg | |
Tam’s Shoemaker | Cairo | |
adidas SA | Johannesburg | |
Woolworths | Cape Town | |
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Ackermans | Cape Town | |
Recruiter | Lagos | |
Refinery | Bellville | |
GQ South Africa | Cape Town | |
JUMIA | Cairo | |
Kpearl Couture | Lagos | |
Mr Price | Durban | |
Chalhoub Group | Cairo |
Elsewhere
In China, the grey market (new but off-season branded fashion at steep discounts) is beating out the official sales channels of the same brands online. — Fashion Network
In the US, Victoria’s Secret poaches Savage x Fenty CEO Hillary Super. - WWD
In Japan, Clare Waight Keller is officially the new artistic director of UNIQLO. Her role will focus on updating the LifeWear line, while continuing to design for the UNIQLO:C womenswear project. - Fashion Network
In France, Haider Ackermann is taking over at Tom Ford ahead of Zegna’s expansion plans for the brand. He’ll lead from Paris and stay on part-time at Canada Goose. - BoF
That’s all for today — thoughts?
PS, I’ll be at the 44 Stanley Spring Pop Up (Sindiso Khumalo x Crystal Birch!) this Saturday from around 11; let me know if you’ll be there too so I can say hi.