Newsletter No 41 /31 October 2025

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Where sleep becomes ritual

The Cape Town-based silk atelier Mantua Silkwear recently unveiled their “Nocturne” collection. Image: Katinka Bester

Juandi Andrag’s new collection turns silk into a wellness ally, where sleepwear becomes part of self-care

In a culture that prizes busyness, Mantua Silkwear is making a case for the opposite: that sleep deserves ceremony.

The Cape Town-based silk atelier, founded by designer Juandi Andrag, has unveiled “Nocturne”, a collection of sleep and ritual wear that treats rest as both wellness and quiet indulgence.

The line includes everything required for a perfectly staged evening wind-down. There are silk sleep masks engineered for deeper rest, pillowcases designed to prevent breakage and sleep creases, pyjama sets polished enough to pass for daywear, and velvet robes in jewel tones such as midnight blue, royal purple and deep garnet red, finished with silk piping.

The atelier was born after founder and designer Juandi Andrag’s autoimmune diagnosis.
Image: Katinka Bester

Mantua has never been about silk for silk’s sake. The atelier was born after Andrag’s autoimmune diagnosis, when fabric choice became a matter of wellbeing as much as style. Silk proved the ideal ally: naturally hypoallergenic, gentle on skin and scientifically shown to support the body’s overnight repair. The brand has since positioned itself at the intersection of necessity and beauty, producing pieces that are both therapeutic and elegant.

At the heart of “Nocturne” is this philosophy of functional luxury. Mantua works exclusively with 100% mulberry silk, a material that reduces hair friction, helps skin retain hydration and avoids the moisture-trapping tendencies of synthetics. Prints are handpainted in SA, often inspired by twilight skies, so that the garments move seamlessly from bedroom to balcony brunch.

For Andrag, “Nocturne” is not simply about sleep. It is about reclaiming the hours of rest as ritual, where luxury is measured in comfort, care, and intention. 

Nawaal Joosub STADIO School of Fashion

We’re excited to announce Nawaal of STADIO School of Fashion as the 2025 SAFW Student Competition winner, announced live at Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg.  

Pick n Pay interim results August 2025

Revenue for the period increased to R60.6 billion (R57.8 billion), with gross profit nudging up to R10.7 billion (R10.0 billion). Trading profit rocketed to R310.0 million (R83.0 million). Loss for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent narrowed to R496.0 million ( loss of R827.0 million). Furthermore, headline loss per share dipped to 59.77 cents per share (headline loss of 136.60 cents per share).

Results webcast
The Group will hold an in-person and online results presentation at 8:30 on 27 October 2025. All interested stakeholders are invited to watch the webcast, which can be accessed using the following link: www.corpcam.com/pnp27102025. The slides accompanying the results presentation, which will include information on the Group’s strategy, will be available on the Pick n Pay Investor Relations website at www.picknpayinvestor.co.za shortly before the commencement of the presentation. A playback of the webcast will be made available on our website approximately 2 hours after the presentation.

Company outlook
H1 FY26 saw steady progress in the Group’s profit recovery. Boxer’s strong H1 FY26 performance was the result of outstanding operational execution, and Boxer will continue to drive its store rollout as it captures its substantial long-term structural growth opportunity.

Within Pick n Pay, much has been achieved. Accelerated like-for-like sales growth shows that customers are once again choosing Pick n Pay, and the gross profit margin recovery demonstrates that this is a sustainable recovery. The project to exit unprofitable stores has been successfully executed, with 65 loss-making, company-owned supermarkets expected to have been closed or converted by the end of FY26. This, taken together with stores that have become profitable, or have good prospects of becoming so, means that this leg of the strategic plan will largely be concluded by the end of the financial year. Pick n Pay Clothing opened its 400th stand-alone store as it expanded its reach and delivered further market share gains, with turnover growth of 12.0% (7.5% like-for-like). Online sales recorded solid double-digit growth, underscoring the Group’s growing competitiveness in the digital retail space.

However, Pick n Pay continues to be loss making at the trading profit level, with company owned supermarket like-for-like sales growth lagging slightly behind like-for-like operating cost growth in the reporting period. The multi-year journey of returning Pick n Pay to a profitable and future fit business continues to be tackled in a purposeful and methodical manner.

On a full-year FY26 basis, the Group expects the Pick n Pay segment trading loss to be broadly in line with FY25. This is because Pick n Pay continues to invest in critical skills to rebuild retail excellence to facilitate the achievement of the trading profit after lease interest break even target.

In the 6 weeks post period-end, the Pick n Pay segment’s South African supermarket like-for-like sales growth was approximately in line with that achieved in H1 FY26.

We thank all Boxer and Pick n Pay colleagues, and our valued franchise partners, for their commitment and contribution as we rebuild and energise the Group for a prosperous future.

IATF 2025 Sets the Stage as the Gulf’s Leading International B2B Fashion Trade Sourcing Fair Ahead of Its 20th Edition

Dubai, UAE – The International Apparel & Textile Fair (IATF), the Gulf’s Biggest International B2B Fashion Trade Sourcing Fair, is set to redefine sourcing excellence during its 20th edition, running from November 17–19, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Halls 6 & 7. Bringing together 450+ international exhibitors and 5,000+ buyers from across the GCC, this three-day platform will showcase the Spring/Summer 2026 Highlights and Autumn/Winter 2026 collections, positioning IATF as the must-attend event for visionary buyers and brands looking to shape the future of fashion.

A Global Sourcing Powerhouse

IATF 2025 welcomes exhibitors from key fashion markets, including Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyz Republic, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, and Vietnam, alongside prominent pavilions from HEPC (India), GIZET (Ethiopia), and Kyrgyzstan. The fair unites international expertise under one roof, offering a complete, cross-category sourcing experience in apparel, fabrics, and accessories.

Moda sole and accessories: A Game-Changer for Buyers

For the first time, IATF introduces the MODA SOLE AND ACCESSORIES Pavilion, featuring footwear, handbags, laces, trims, and other fashion accessories. This new pavilion ensures buyers can discover a full-spectrum sourcing journey, combining apparel with cutting-edge accessory innovations. Moda Sole delivers trend-forward designs, high-quality craftsmanship, and inspiration for the next global fashion wave.

Hosted Buyers Program: Curated Global Connections

The Hosted Buyers Program (HBP) amplifies IATF’s international impact, welcoming 20+ top-tier global buyers with pre-matched meetings designed to create immediate business opportunities. Exhibitors gain curated interactions, while buyers secure access to the most relevant and high-potential sourcing partners across the fair.

Sustainability at the Core of Modern Fashion

Sustainability remains a central pillar of IATF 2025. Exhibitors are showcasing eco-conscious production techniques, responsibly sourced materials, and innovations that redefine ethical fashion. From apparel to accessories, the fair integrates sustainability into every touchpoint, reflecting the evolving expectations of global buyers and brands.

Statement from Bhavna Nihalani, Founder & Show Director of IATF:

“The 20th edition of IATF marks a defining moment in the evolution of fashion trade in the Gulf. Expanding its range of product categories and elevating the sourcing experience, IATF 2025 brings together the region’s most influential buyers and top international exhibitors under one roof. This is where strategic connections are made, opportunities are realized, and the future of B2B fashion sourcing is shaped.”

Don’t Miss Out: Registration Now Open

Registrations are now open for three days of unmissable sourcing, innovation, and networking. With free entry and a curated international presence, IATF 2025 is your gateway to the future of fashion.

Register now to attend IATF 2025- https://register.internationalapparelandtextilefair.com/

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Where do our favorite wardrobe staples come from?

Sunglasses may date back to over 2,000 years ago when Inuit tribes used walrus bones, driftwood, or caribou bones over their eyes to protect them from the bright light of the sun reflecting from the snow.

Also in 12th-century China, smoked quartz lens panes similar to sunglasses were used by magistrate judges to prevent people reading their expressions.

However, modern sunglasses, as we know them, came to mass market in the 20th century. Foster Grant initially sold sunglasses at a stand on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in New Jersey to guard against the summer sun.

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Please remember to send me your news so that we can share it with all our readers in the weekly newsletter. Although editorial is neither guaranteed nor implied, suitable editorial for consideration may be submitted to:-