Fashion
Zambia’s efforts to revive textiles unit in Kabwe in final phase
The government and Mulungushi Textiles management have procured and installed new equipment and plan to auction outdated machines, Mulenga told a domestic news outlet. Test runs are under way to validate technical readiness before a formal reopening.
Zambia’s efforts to revive operations at the Mulungushi Textiles unit in Kabwe are in its final phase by securing a $140-million investment in new machinery, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga has said.
Test runs are under way on new machines to validate technical readiness.
Further cotton plantation is needed to ensure adequate stocks once production starts, he noted.
He cited the lack of cotton as a reason for the facility not reopening by December 23 last year as earlier announced. About 3,000 cotton farmers have been contracted to supply raw material to the unit.
Further cotton plantation is needed to ensure adequate stocks once production starts, he noted.
He hoped that the company will reopen soon after some technical and logistical issues are sorted out.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Published
January 8, 2026
Centric Brands announced on Wednesday it has acquired select assets of Fownes Brothers & Co., as the U.S. management firm looks enhance its portfolio and strengthen its grip on the cold-weather accessories market.
Under the deal, the U.S. management firm will assume key licenses including Ugg, Timberland, and Cole Haan, as well as private label manufacturing agreements with The North Face and Lululemon.
Moreover, Andrew Gluckman will join the Centric Brands team as SVP, division head cold-weather, overseeing the acquired licenses and supporting the continued growth of the broader cold weather accessories division, according to a press release.
“We are excited to welcome Andrew and the Fownes Brothers legacy into Centric Brands,” said Jason Rabin, chief executive officer at Centric Brands, whose portfolio includes Avirex, Fiorelli, Hudson, Robert Graham, and Taste Beauty.
“Our growth strategy is built upon developing powerful, scalable brands across key categories, and this acquisition meaningfully advances that approach. By integrating the Fownes Brothers business into our accessories platform, we are expanding our capabilities, accelerating scale, and positioning the business for sustained, profitable growth.”
Established in 1777 by Tom Gluckman and the Gluckman Family as leather glove manufacturer in Worcester, England, Fownes Brothers is an importer and distributor of licensed and private label cold-weather accessories.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
By
Bloomberg
Published
January 7, 2026
The founder of sneaker reseller Zadeh Kicks was sentenced to almost six years in prison for a fraud conspiracy that led to the infamous collapse of the online platform and $80 million in losses for customers and financial institutions.
Michael Malekzadeh, 42, was sentenced Tuesday in Eugene, Oregon, to 70 months behind bars and ordered to forfeit more than $15 million in assets, federal prosecutors said in a statement. Last year, Malekzadeh pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud.
The sentencing signaled the end of a case that sent shockwaves through the sneaker reselling market, which reached record highs during the 2020 pandemic. Malekzadeh rode this boom to improbable heights, offering sought-after shoes at competitive prices from his warehouse in Oregon, even before manufacturers released them.
A lawyer for Malekzadeh didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the US Attorney’s Office in Oregon, Malekzadeh “advertised, sold, and collected payments from customers for preorders knowing he could not satisfy all orders placed.” All in all, he owed customers more than $65 million in unfulfilled orders and defrauded financial institutions out of $15 million they’d loaned him, court records show.
Malekzadeh used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, prosecutors said. Agents seized luxury watches, jewelry and hundreds of handbags during the investigation, court documents show.
As part of their plea agreements, Malekzadeh and his partner, Bethany Mockerman, the company’s chief financial officer, agreed to pay restitution in full to their victims. The judge set a restitution hearing for March 31.
The government said it raised $7.5 million from selling Malekzadeh’s residence in Eugene, his watches and luxury cars manufactured by Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche.
In a separate case, Zadeh Kicks, which Malekzadeh founded in 2013, and all of its sneakers were taken over by a court-appointed receiver, who’s been in charge of liquidating its assets.
The case is US v. Malekzadeh, 22-cr-262, US District Court, District of Oregon (Eugene).
Published
January 7, 2026
Following major expansion in Italy last year, Primark’s European expansion programme continues apace as the value fashion/lifestyle retailer intends to now grow operations in Romania.
Four new stores have so far been confirmed to open in Sibiu and Bacău, joining planned openings in Iași and Craiova, doubling its presence to eight in the market and creating over 450 new jobs.
The announcement comes as the company celebrates its anniversary in the market this week, marking three years since the opening of its first Romanian store in ParkLake Shopping Centre, Bucharest.
The new stores will be located in Sibiu Shopping Centre and Arena Mall Bacău, joining previously announced locations in Electroputere Mall, Craiova and Palas Mall Iași, adding a total of 10,870 sq m of retail space across the country.
They join the four “successful” stores in the market: two in Bucharest, one in Timișoara and one in Cluj-Napoca.
The stores in new regions will introduce Primark’s latest fashion pieces, as well as everyday essentials across clothing, beauty, lifestyle and home categories. The stores will also stock the growing Primark Cares range.
Maciej Podwojski, Head of CEE, Primark said: “Since opening our first store just three years ago, we have grown a strong business with a loyal and ever-expanding customer base. As a retailer with a strong focus on physical stores, we know that much of this success is thanks to our exceptional retail teams.”
Last year, Primark announcing a further €40 million (£34 million) investment with five new Italian stores planned for Rome, Biella, Perugia and two in Naples, following a €50 million investment in the country in 2023.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
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