The majority of Fabiani clients are unaware that the luxury menswear was founded in South Africa in 1978 and has since evolved to become a global menswear legend.
Fabiani was founded in 1978 and immediately acquired a reputation for its superior suit cuts, high-quality fabrics, and attention to detail. Casual apparel, shoes, and fashion accessories were added to the brand’s offerings.
The corporation rose to notoriety as a result of its ties to Tony Yengeni, the former ANC chief whip who was sentenced to four years in prison for fraud in connection with the arms sale. Fabiani gave Yengeni a free suit and described him as a valued customer.
The Fabiani clan
Jeff Fabian and his son, Arie, in the family’s Cape Town home.
The family’s arrival in South Africa may be traced back to their Jewish grandmother, who left East Prussia shortly before WWII broke out and went to South Africa on one of the final ships to leave.
In Cape Town, she launched a tiny clothes boutique in District Six, the city’s multi-ethnic core at the time.
Little did the family realize, the small boutique would plant a seed that would develop and one day become a global fashion icon.
Fibiani’s beginnings as a brand
Jeff Fabian, the creator of Fabiani, is on the left (source: jhweddingphoto.com)
Jeff Fibian, following in his mother’s footsteps, opened his own fashion boutique in one of Cape Town’s top locations at the age of 16, against his mother’s desires. His boutique included high-end labels such as Giorgio Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Hugo Boss.
Mr Fabian was mistakenly addressed as Mr Fabiani by his hosts while on a shopping trip to Italy in 1978, when he visited the great fashion labels of the day — this was the beginning of the Fabiani brand.
Fabiani acquisition and growth
Arie Fabian, Jeff’s son, is credited with transforming Fabiani into South Africa’s premier premium men’s fashion brand, primarily by expanding the brand’s offerings to include casual clothing, shoes, and fashion accessories. The strategy was successful. THE FOSCHINI Group (TFG) purchased the brand in 2011, giving TFG a foothold in the rich market.FABIANI is an expensive brand, but when you buy it, you’re still buying and supporting local.
SOURCES
https://www.fabiani.co.za/browse/staticContent.jsp?pageName=about
https://theboyontheparkbench.wordpress.com/2015/02/13/powerful-men-behind-fabiani-menswear/
https://www.news24.com/fin24/foschini-buys-luxury-brand-fabiani-20111005
https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2019/history/porsche-klassik-911-s-coupe-1974-family-values-18916.html
https://jhweddingphoto.com/photography/events/j-fabians-70th-birthday
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