AfricaFashionGuide

28/12/2025

Out with the old and in with the new? Or rebirthing of the old alongside the new?

When I started my new venture it wasn’t a decision to do this business because I simply wanted to. But it was a vision given to me.. a purpose business created from pain. The hair loss caused from chemotherapy.

Yet even with this new business to create plantbased hair extension alternatives … I was still known as the African fashion lady. The one who talked about sustainability, African cotton and African fashion manufacturing. The woman who started the sourcing trips to African countries and revolutionised travelling to africa for business. The woman responsible for making Africa a new and first experience for new businesses owners in Australia, Canada, throughout Europe UK and the UsA. Before the hype of Detty December and Beyond the Return promotions I was known for the Fashion Africa Conferences which I did I Kenya, UK, USA and more, plus the Fashion Africa Sourcing Trips to Kenya and Ghana (Nigeria was planned in 2020 but hey … no more on that one!)

I paused African fashion business activities because that business needed me to show up and I got sick and couldn’t do this the same way. Yet since 2022 people have still reached out to me. Maybe I’m not coaching in the same way or doing our live courses and webinars BUT one thing I can say is certainly coming back is our sourcing trips for 2026.

If you’d like to Meet the Manufacturers and learn how to Souce Your Suppliers on the ground in not one but TWO African countries then comment below FAST (or a DM is fine too) and I’ll send you more information.

Let’s make African fashion not just the future but the new region of manufacturing and let’s kick this mission off together via our trips.

(See details of previous trips for reference at www.fashionafricasourcingtrips.com and www.YouTube.com/c/africafashionguide)

28/12/2025

2026 … Africa Fashion Guide has something great coming for the serious on point business women who want to build legacy businesses sourced and made in africa. Watch this space.

15/08/2025

BLACK HAIR MONTH SEPT 25

Hi people there’s a big campaign going around specifically for black women (and women with children of black heritage do jump on board this too!)

This campaign is calling us to not buy any hair products over September unless it’s from a black owned business. We make decisions with our money too and the products we tend to purchase often are harming us. If you’ve seen my posts of late you recognise the challenges. A study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 1 in 12 hair products marketed to Black women contains a known human carcinogen.

As a cancer survivor I’m all here for an alternative and so as I couldn’t find it I launched my own option for people. The Canerow Company our shop is opening in a matter of days too so get ready to switch to plantbased.

Posts on TikTok have gone viral. Here’s the one I did for my plantbased braiding hair company The Canerow Company with stitches with the original video

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdQKwjke/

And my IG version is here instagram.com/thecanerowcompany
Facebook version is over

And this is the form to join along do sign up and let’s see if we can impact the industry and cause a change like what happened to Target

https://forms.gle/ghsUKn1EW8fNWnGW6

🎯 Core Mission To mobilize the Black community in the US and UK to exclusively support Black-owned hair care brands for one month, amplifying economic solidarity and sending a clear message to retailers and distributors: Black spending power deserves respect, representation, and reinvestment Join...

03/07/2025

We will be speaking online on a panel all about Africas Cotton Apparel And Textiles sector

Sign up below to join in

Join us as we discuss scalable and accessible financing solutions for Africa’s CTA transformation under the .
Date: 10th July 2025
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Nigeria Time)

📌 Key Focus Areas:
1. Financing gaps & investment opportunities
2. Funding models: Public, Private & Blended Finance
3. De-risking investments in CTA
4. Finance for SMEs, women & youth
5. Green bonds, diaspora funds & digital finance
6. Promoting circular economy through sustainable finance

🔗 Secure your seat today: https://lnkd.in/d23xK8Vy

20/05/2024

The “Secret” Diary of a Serial Author

Writing a book is never simple but it can be fun, exciting and creative … yet it’s the getting to the end part that challenges many of us existing and aspiring authors.

I’m documenting my journey to my upcoming book in my Fashion Africa series of books and giving you the aspiring author and you lovers of fashion and African fashion some insights to this journey.

The goal is to finish two books (yep two) in rough ready for the design and publishing team () to take to the next step… the beautification stage I call it.

My books are coffee table books think illustrations, historical context, quality imagery, interviews and more. On that note check out my first book Fashion Africa by Jacqueline Shaw on Amazon to give you a taste of of what is to come.

I’ll bringing it in a new way so be sure to keep an eye out for info on my book launch in time.

But for now, do Follow me for weekly updates that will hopefully inspire you and maybe even get you started on your own book!

31/03/2024

RESURRECT that idea…

This week I started on my next book(s) YEP books with an S.

It was an idea I had probably now 8 years ago but I’ve been sitting on it.

Attitude …

That’s all it is.

Attitude opens doors
Attitude brings you before great men and women
Attitude makes your gift make room for you
Attitude gets you paid

And don’t get me wrong
It’s not about being arrogant or obnoxious
It’s about knowing who AND WHOSE you are.

So when you want to go for a thing you get it because you have the attitude to draw that thing to you.

Steven Bartlett talks about an investor who gave him 10k at the start of his journey yet they didn’t know who he was or what his business was.

It was something about HIM. An attitude he possessed that maybe soneone give money to him so easily … and it was more than money give to him it was an investment to him and to WHO he will become.

What attitude are you giving out?

How are you drawing people to you?

What is it about you that could make someone invest in you?

As this month ends and a new month begins … remember not only is it a month of the new financial year but it’s also resurrection week and that means it’s your opportunity to pull on to the power that comes with this week and to tap into the significance of what the new month represents.

So … go on lioness … give it some attitude.

—————————————————————————

hey people, I'm Jacqueline Brown sometimes known as Shaw, and I am an expert in 1) helping creative entrepreneurs through to retailers to start, source and sell fashion related products and businesses made in Africa and i also because I also coach and consult I also now 2) help female founders strategically build empires to create wealth using recurring revenue business model

Sounds like your cup of tea? Then let me know by connecting further in my DMs and watch how I take you to the next step on your business journey

25/02/2024

Today marks the anniversary of my pioneering book Fashion Africa published by Jacaranda Books. The journey to then and the journey to now has been one I could write a book about!

Talking of new books…so yes I can announce that they’ve now commissioned me with a multi book deal to write more in the Fashion Africa series.

Since my original book did inspire so many others to start books on African fashion African fashion illustrations and African style and I know others want to write books. I’ll share more about my steps putting together my upcoming new books here on linkedin. I’ll bring you in on my journey just subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated.

Happy anniversary to and team for our combined efforts to bring Fashion Africa to the market and change the industry!

23/01/2024

Lovely to read the article blog about myself and my company on the website - an amazing business for wholesaling African fashion brands started by entrepreneur Amira Rasool

Read on here

Jacqueline Shaw, founder of Africa Fashion Guide, shares her expertise on sustainable sourcing and production in Africa for our Speaker Series

11/12/2023

Oh hello!

I smile in this photo because then I was in a happy place.

Literally and physically.

Walking along Africa’s beach lines specifically in The Gambia.

Resting holidaying and gently building a fresh business. The first of its kind.

I was pioneering the concept of new brands and designers sourcing and manufacturing in Africa.

I pioneered the first book on contemporary African fashion that featured photos interviews and illustrations of african fashion.

I was the first but of course I wouldn’t be the last.

It’s hard starting things up.

It’s hard doing that in a time when social media was not a big thing.

It’s hard because once times change people easily forget who helped them and who paved the way and who dealt with the crap that comes from pioneering and building from scratch with nothing to look upon that went before you.

You get ignored. Forgotten. And overlooked YET... I keep smiling.

Why ...

Because of purpose

Why...

Because the mission is bigger than my own needs

Why...

Because I was born for this

And because I know that my God who began a good work in me will complete it to the end. He doesn’t make mistakes.

Promotions come neither from the east or the west.

Validation is not from Instagram numbers or tiktok followers.

A blue tick is not validation of who you are or who God thinks of you.

So this message is for anyone who may be looking at the end of 2023 and thinking dang I did crap this year...

take a pause.

Look at your achievements however small.

Celebrate them.

You are badass.

You’ve so got this.

Now make the changes you need for the year coming.

Make the decisions today that your future self will be proud of.

It’s okay to pivot

it’s okay to switch things up BUT ...

Keep your spirits up
Keep smiling
Keep going

You’ve got this.

If having a coach in your corner for 2024 would be valued by you then book a call with me.

My Fashion Africa Business FAB coaching mastermind is open again after a 4 year hiatus we’ve already kicked off but I’m inviting just 5 more people to join then I’m capping it.

My calendar is open for just one more week. I have a few slots open. Do send me a DM for the link to my calendar to book a call with me

And let’s do this.