🌍 Ethiopia gets a fashion academy + Takealot sells Superbalist

Hello again ,

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

Like the newsletter? Share it with your fashion network! They can subscribe below to receive regular curated news, insight & career opportunities.

Now Hiring

Lagos Space Programme, Tshepo Jeans, GQ South Africa & more.

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.