🌍 LVMH Prize crowns new winners, African designers take New York & Tokyo

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Hello ,

Just like that, ‘the season‘ is upon us — the big 4 are halfway through their fashion weeks, with ours just ahead from mid-October.

Off the runway, fashion’s development engines are churning too, from the latest edition of the LVMH Prize to Tranoï Paris’ trip to Tokyo with 10 African designers along for the ride.

It’s tempting to push the idea of doing away with shared showcase platforms — if it takes a sales agency (or agent), a good showroom and development initiatives to have a shot at worthwhile participation in the trade season, why spend the money on an official fashion week slot too? Couldn’t you just spend that on brand development and win with the consumer directly?

Maybe you could, but in an incredibly competitive attention economy, I don’t think it’s much of a cost saving exercise — not if the defining metric is sales (and it should be).

You will spend that money, just differently, and the return appears as unpredictable as ever.

It’s not about ditching any business model altogether, but about finding the right cocktail of partners for you, no matter the format of the platform or relationship.

Agree? Disagree? Hit reply and tell me why.

PS: 10 questions, 2 minutes — please take the updated reader survey if you haven’t already. Also, I’m testing AFWeekly’s very first ad today! And I definitely want to know what you think…

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Across Africa

Rich Mnisi is joining forces with his operations manager Bradley Ndlovu and expert artist manager Amanda Dandala to form a new talent management agency. Another0 (Another Zero) has been going since July, but had its official launch party last weekend. On the roster: Kamo WW, Hacjivah Dayimani, Sarah Langa, and Rich himself.

CANEX supported the presence of 10 African designers at the first Tokyo edition of Paris’ Tranoï showroom - Afrixembank

5 South African woman-led brands took part in a joint show in New York as part of the #GiveHerACrown campaign - Twyg

The Folklore adds B2C to their B2B offering with The Folklore Shop - LinkedIn

Twyg announces nominations are now open for the 2024 Twyg Awards - Twyg

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Now Hiring

Mr Price Group, Duck Apparel, Yayyu, Koi Koi & more.

Elsewhere

The LVMH Prize has crowned 2024’s winners: Ellen Hodakova Larsson, Duran Lantink and Michael Stewart. - Fashion Network

Nike’s shareholders voted against a binding agreement to address human rights issues in its supply chain. - Reuters

China’s JD.com enters a partnership with the British Fashion Council to increase market access for designers from both markets. - Fashion Network

Sustainable fashion OS Portia is building a directory for circular solutions - LinkedIn

ITS 2025’s call for entries is open for 10 more days; 10 finalists will enter a Trieste residency next March. - Fashion Network

That’s all for today — thoughts?