In the News | 8 June 2023

Alára heads to Brooklyn from Lagos, Foschini Group wins with AI adoption, and Edward Enninful's changing role at Condé Nast garners mixed reactions.

Lagos' Alára partners with Brooklyn Museum as part of the Africa Fashion exhibition, headed to the institution in late June.

Africa

The Folklore explores women artisans' role in sustainable production, Jumia expands services to rural Uganda as it celebrates 11 years in the country, Lagos' Alára heads to Brooklyn, Retailability relaunches Edgars' Boardmans brand online, Pepkor earnings take a hit, Foschini shares early wins from AI adoption and the CDI SCALE Programme returns.

The Role of Women Artisans in Sustainable Production and Manufacturing

From vibrant cities to rural communities, brands that employ women artisans are at the forefront of the sustainable fashion movement. The Folklore Edit examines the key role that these women play in driving artisanal design while promoting diversity and sustainability in the fashion industry

Edgars-owner Retailability relaunches Boardmans online

With physical store openings expected to follow soon.

Poor Fashion Choice Hits Top African Clothing Retailer’s Profit

Pepkor Holdings Ltd. replaced the head of its Ackermans unit after Africa’s largest clothing retailer posted a drop in first-half earnings as it failed to get the right summer fashion mix.

Poor Fashion Choice Hits Top African Clothing Retailer’s Profit

Pepkor Holdings Ltd. replaced the head of its Ackermans unit after Africa’s largest clothing retailer posted a drop in first-half earnings as it failed to get the right summer fashion mix.

Jumia Marks 11 Years in Uganda

Vinod Goel, the CEO of Jumia Uganda, expressed excitement about celebrating 11 years with the company’s customers, partners, staff, and associates.

Jumia seeks to expand services into rural Uganda

Jumia says it will leverage on its offline sales model, known as Jforce, to expand beyond Kampala into rural Uganda

Rural areas and the future of e-commerce in Africa: Report

Jumia's report unveils successful expansion of e-commerce to underserved regions, revolutionizing rural Ivory Coast

Africa’s Leading Luxury Concept Store Is Coming to the Brooklyn Museum

The Lagos-based concept store will open up shop with products from over 100 brands from June 22 through October 23.

AI investment pays off for The Foschini Group

The retailer saves more than 2 000 workdays per year due to automation, with a 240% return on investment.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: THE CDI'S SCALE PROGRAMME

Elsewhere,

Mixed reactions to Edward Enninful's changing role at Condé Nast, Doc Martens invests in recycled leather, Gabriela Hearst to leave Chloé after Atelier Jolie collaboration and final runway collection, OFF-WHITE welcomes new CEO, Jonathan Simkhai and Thom Browne introduce new product categories and in yet another move from luxury fashion to luxury hospitality, Louis Vuitton opens its first airport lounge in Qatar.

Edward Enninful's Step Back from British 'Vogue'

Condé Nast has done a great job of framing his new role as some kind of promotion. But you typically release news on a summer Friday when you want to bury it.

Gabriela Hearst Said Exiting Chloé, Brand Links With Angelina Jolie

The news broke as the French fashion house revealed a collaboration with Angelina Jolie’s fledgling Atelier Jolie label.

Off-White gains new CEO in New Guards Group shakeup

The co-founders of Farfetch-owned platform New Guards Group are stepping down from their leadership roles. Stephanie Phair has been named group chair, while Cristiano Fagnani becomes CEO of Off-White.

How to Optimise Organic Social Media Strategies

Dash Hudson chief marketing officer Kate Kenner Archibald joined BoF’s Alice Gividen to discuss the channels that matter, key strategic approaches and the metrics to measure for fashion and beauty SMEs today.

Letter: Fast fashion allows Russia to bypass oil sanctions | Financial Times

From Urska Trunk, Brussels, Belgium

Why Dr Martens is investing in recycled leather

Dr Martens' CEO Kenny Wilson tells Drapers how the footwear brand will incorporate recycled leather into its shoes and why it’s investing in the production of more sustainable materials at scale.