Stay Connected
Atlanta Black Star/Africa
AfricaBusinessNewsWorld

Nelson Mandela-Inspired Clothing Line Coming to U.S.

Posted byBy ABS Contributor | Published on: CommentsComments (1)

The number that was once synonymous with Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment will soon become a staple of fashion in the U.S. and Canada.

Last year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation started a clothing line bearing the name, “46664.” The number, which was given to the former South African President during his 18-year imprisonment on Rodden Island, is now the reminder around the globe of a movement for equality and empowerment in South Africa.

In 2011, the brand, 46664, began as a men’s sportswear fashion brand using not only bright colors and bold prints, but authentic African “shweshwe-print shirts” and African color schemes. The line will also feature women and children’s apparel.

The line, which hopes to become South Africa’s first global apparel line, aims to boost the country’s clothing manufacturing district by working locally and sustainably.

A Dallas-based company, B US Inc., has offered 46664 an exclusive deal, which will allow the collection to be sold in the U.S. and Canada.

“The designers are very much in tune to the vibrant nature of South Africa, whether it’s bright colors or a shweshwe print,” Aaron Patton, chief executive officer of Company B, told WWD.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation was established in 2002 as a global HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention organization. Though he is not directly involved with apparel operations, 46664 plans to use the money earned through the apparel line to support the humanitarian’s projects.

“Mr. Mandela gave his prison number to 46664 and supports all projects undertaken by the campaign,” said a spokesperson for Brand Identity, a division of Seardel and 46664 Apparel, according to MadameNoire.Com.  “He is not operationally involved in the 46664 Apparel.”

WWD reports the fashion line will officially launch 46664fashion.com on July 18, Mandela’s 94th birthday; retail stores will be expected to carry the apparel by the holiday season.

Democracy needs journalism it can trust.

This election season, the stakes are higher than usual — and so is the pressure on newsrooms to soften their coverage, stay quiet, or just disappear. Independent reporting, the kind that answers to readers instead of advertisers or political pressure, matters more in a moment like this, not less.

For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed independent and reader-funded. We have no corporate owner and no shareholders telling us what to cover or how to cover it. That independence is also our biggest vulnerability: nothing protects it except readers choosing to fund it directly.

Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under in a moment like this, it's rarely the independent, reader-funded ones that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Give once Give monthly Support another way

Related Stories

Back to top