Latest news with #Mondetta
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Mondetta enters retail space on own terms
After nearly 40 years in business, Mondetta Clothing Inc. is preparing to open its first storefront. The company has announced a late September opening for Modern Ambition, which will sell clothing from its luxury brand of the same name. The 1,200-square-foot store is located at the corner of Carlton Street and Graham Avenue in True North Square. Mondetta is proud to be a Manitoba company and that's why its flagship store is in downtown Winnipeg, said Ash Modha, co-founder and CEO. 'We believe that we all have to do our part for the city to actually build commerce downtown,' Modha said. 'We want to make sure that Winnipeg gets the best of the best first, as opposed to giving the best to Toronto or Vancouver or Calgary or Edmonton or even New York,' he added. 'We're huge advocates of Winnipeg and Manitoba, so that's why it's here.' BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Ash Modha, co-founder and CEO of Mondetta, inside Modern Ambitions, a new store in downtown Winnipeg that will sell clothing from Mondetta's luxury brand of the same name. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Ash Modha, co-founder and CEO of Mondetta, inside Modern Ambitions, a new store in downtown Winnipeg that will sell clothing from Mondetta's luxury brand of the same name. Modha, his brother Prashant Modha and friend Raj Bahl started Mondetta in 1986. The name means 'small world' and the business quickly became known for its signature flag sweatshirts. Today, the company includes four brands. Mondetta offers clothing for the whole family, Mondetta Originals offers the iconic sweatshirts that made the company famous, and MPG offers activewear. Modern Ambition, which the company launched in 2019, bridges activewear and luxury menswear by offering tailored clothing made from moisture-wicking fabric that has stretch to it. 'We thought there's a real window of opportunity in this space where we can come in and build a quiet luxury brand (at a more affordable) price point,' Modha said, adding that while some luxury brands sell suits for upwards of $3,000, Modern Ambition's suits retail for $900. The clothing is designed in Manitoba and manufactured primarily in Indonesia using Italian fabrics, Modha said. The Winnipeg store will resemble an intimate living room with comfortable couches and chairs, and will offer concierge-level service, including personal styling, private shopping and on-the-spot tailoring. 'The idea of this is to keep it intimate,' Modha said. 'It's not supposed to be this massive retail store, it's not cold … You can come in and you're known. Your information is all (on file, including) your sizing so they can actually show you the new products that come in.' SUPPLIED Modern Ambition's 1,200-square-foot store is designed to resemble an intimate living room with comfortable couches and chairs. SUPPLIED Modern Ambition's 1,200-square-foot store is designed to resemble an intimate living room with comfortable couches and chairs. Mondetta recently hired Georgi Gvakharia as vice-president global head of retail to help grow the Modern Ambition brand. Gvakharia has previously worked as an area general manager at Hugo Boss and as an executive at Ralph Lauren. 'We brought him on to really take this division and start to scale it as quick as possible,' Modha said. Mondetta is investing $1 million in the Winnipeg store, he added. The company's goal is to open 24 more stores — half of them Modern Ambition locations and the other half bearing the Mondetta name — across Canada and beyond in the next five years. The company is retrofitting a motorhome to include a mobile showroom that will travel across the country to promote Modern Ambition and its forthcoming stores, Modha said. 'We are an old-school, legacy wholesale company that goes and finds retailers to carry our product, but (we thought) enough's enough — we need to do (retail) on our own,' he said. 'So what we've decided to do is open up our own retail stores and build the brand that way.' SUPPLIED Mondetta announced a September opening for Modern Ambition. SUPPLIED Mondetta announced a September opening for Modern Ambition. The Winnipeg store will open in September, with a grand opening to follow in October. Mondetta is a well-regarded Canadian brand, said Jim Ludlow, president of True North Real Estate Development. Having Modern Ambition's flagship store as part of True North Square is significant, he added, because it aligns with True North's desire to create a hub that serves downtown Winnipeg. 'We're really impressed with Ash and his company,' Ludlow said. 'We're really looking forward to this store opening in relatively short order.' Mondetta does not disclose its annual revenue, Modha said. The company employs around 150 people, 110 of whom are in Manitoba. The first Modern Ambition store will employ four people, and Modha anticipates 'a significant amount of hires' as the company opens more stores in the coming years. Meantime, he is planning to celebrate four decades of business in 2026. 'Jan. 16 next year will be our 40th (year), so it's pretty wild,' Modha said. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Aaron EppReporter Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
A seniors cricket league of their own
The first time Manitoba sent a senior cricket team to a tournament could not have gone better, as Manitoba's masters squad came away from the Ontario Masters Cricket League's Inter-Provincial Tournament last month with a championship — and inspiration to start a seniors league of their own. Asif Khan, who plays for the Manitoba Eagles in the Premier Division of the Manitoba Cricket Association and for Manitoba's newly formed seniors team, has been playing cricket in Canada since 2012 when he moved to Winnipeg from Pakistan. 'I was thinking to retire, because it was so challenging, I'm almost 50,' said Khan on playing cricket. 'And when you play with the youngsters, they are totally different.' SUPPLIED Asif Khan (right), holds his trophy for best wicketkeeper at the Ontario Masters Cricket League's Inter-Provincial Tournament in his left hand and the tourney trophy in his right, alongside his Team Manitoba teammate Rauf Mohammed. But when a member of the senior cricket league in Ontario approached clubs in various provinces to compete in the first Inter-Provincial Tournament, Khan showed interest. Sponsored by Mondetta Canada Inc. — a Winnipeg-based clothing company that is also supporting cricket field developments in Assiniboine Park — a senior team was put together to play in the tournament. 'We represent 40 nationalities and cultures at Mondetta, and we believe in supporting their pursuits, such as sports like cricket,' said Tony Lavilla, creative director at Mondetta. 'We're proud to support a growing sport like cricket that appeals and is a part of the culture of so many of our staff.' Manitoba went on to defeat Team Ontario White in the finals by three wickets in a tournament that ran from June 23-27 in Mississauga, Ont., and Brampton, Ont., where teams from Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario competed. 'It was good to see that the province has participated,' said Khan. 'It was so encouraging and now that we're back in Manitoba, we are supporting, we are working hard to get the senior league started.' The MCA currently runs a recreational cricket league on Wednesday evenings and hosts practice programs for senior players throughout the winter. But many senior players like Khan, although grouped by their cricket level, still play on teams with mixed age groups. 'There are a lot of senior players separately, playing in different clubs, but it's not as Ontario and other provinces where there is a particular senior league, where over 40, over 50, over 60, they have different leagues where different age groups can play in their own (league). The competition is on the same level, not like a mixed match,' said Khan. MCA president Paramjit Shahi says this is soon to change, and is planning to run a full-fledged senior league next year. 'The expansion we have discussed with a lot of seniors,' said Shahi. 'You know, cricket has been played in Manitoba since 1872. So when cricket started expanding in the last five, six years, those players who are playing cricket for a long time now, basically, they are close to their retirements, over 40 or over 50 years of age. So we want to make sure they are engaged in cricket and their experience, their vision is valued.' Enough interest has been shown that Shahi expects there will be enough players for at least four to five teams to participate in a senior league. The MCA is exploring different options for scheduling games and finding cricket pitches, which can be complicated since pitches are hard to find as the sport's popularity continues to grow in the province. SUPPLIED Team Manitoba poses with the tourney trophy after winning the Ontario Masters Cricket League's Inter-Provincial Tournament last month. Manitoba Cricket Association president Paramjit Shahi says the association plans to run a full-fledged senior league in Manitoba next year. However, the Assiniboine Park cricket field developments, where active play is expected to resume in 2026, could help. 'That's going to be a beautiful facility that will be of international competition quality,' said Lavilla. 'We believe in supporting passions, whether they're for sports or activities.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Playing on a senior team was a motivating experience for Khan, who was named best wicketkeeper of the Inter-Provincial Tournament. 'Oh, that was great joy to me,' said Khan, who missed the first match with a knee injury. 'I mean, I was not expecting that, but I am so happy, and that actually pushes me to do better, and hopefully with some fitness, I will do good in the regular league as well.' Khan says the Manitoba squad did not expect to come out on top but was happy to defeat some of the strongest senior teams in Canada, hoping the group will continue playing together in future tournaments. 'The best part of our team, it was working together, and we were just supporting everyone,' said Khan.
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Mondetta Clothing names Georgi Gvakharia as first-ever VP of retail
Canadian leisure and sportswear design and manufacturing company Mondetta Clothing has named Georgi Gvakharia as its first vice president of retail. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the company has four main divisions: Mondetta, Mondetta Originals, MPG, and Modern Ambition. In this newly created role, Gvakharia will oversee retail operations across all Mondetta brands, beginning with Modern Ambition's debut into brick-and-mortar retail. "We're excited to have Georgi join the team and look forward to how his expertise will help us grow the retail side of our business for all of our brands," said Ash Modha, CEO and co-founder of Mondetta Clothing. "His experience with prestige brands especially aligns with where we want the Modern Ambition brand to go, and we're delighted to have him join us on this journey.' Gvakharia brings extensive experience in luxury retail, having launched and expanded high-end operations across North America. Notably, as the vice president head of retail Northeast & Canada at Ralph Lauren, he oversaw a diverse range of distribution channels, including flagship stores, ship to home operations, large format stores and concession boutiques. "I'm thrilled to join Mondetta at such a pivotal moment in its growth. The opportunity to shape the brand's retail journey, rooted in purpose, performance, and style, is both inspiring and deeply aligned with my values,' added Gvakharia. 'Starting with Modern Ambition, I look forward to working alongside this exceptional team to build something truly meaningful in the luxury menswear space.'
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Mondetta Clothing names Georgi Gvakharia as first-ever VP of retail
Canadian leisure and sportswear design and manufacturing company Mondetta Clothing has named Georgi Gvakharia as its first vice president of retail. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the company has four main divisions: Mondetta, Mondetta Originals, MPG, and Modern Ambition. In this newly created role, Gvakharia will oversee retail operations across all Mondetta brands, beginning with Modern Ambition's debut into brick-and-mortar retail. "We're excited to have Georgi join the team and look forward to how his expertise will help us grow the retail side of our business for all of our brands," said Ash Modha, CEO and co-founder of Mondetta Clothing. "His experience with prestige brands especially aligns with where we want the Modern Ambition brand to go, and we're delighted to have him join us on this journey.' Gvakharia brings extensive experience in luxury retail, having launched and expanded high-end operations across North America. Notably, as the vice president head of retail Northeast & Canada at Ralph Lauren, he oversaw a diverse range of distribution channels, including flagship stores, ship to home operations, large format stores and concession boutiques. "I'm thrilled to join Mondetta at such a pivotal moment in its growth. The opportunity to shape the brand's retail journey, rooted in purpose, performance, and style, is both inspiring and deeply aligned with my values,' added Gvakharia. 'Starting with Modern Ambition, I look forward to working alongside this exceptional team to build something truly meaningful in the luxury menswear space.'
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Mondetta Clothing names Georgi Gvakharia as first-ever VP of retail
Canadian leisure and sportswear design and manufacturing company Mondetta Clothing has named Georgi Gvakharia as its first vice president of retail. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the company has four main divisions: Mondetta, Mondetta Originals, MPG, and Modern Ambition. In this newly created role, Gvakharia will oversee retail operations across all Mondetta brands, beginning with Modern Ambition's debut into brick-and-mortar retail. "We're excited to have Georgi join the team and look forward to how his expertise will help us grow the retail side of our business for all of our brands," said Ash Modha, CEO and co-founder of Mondetta Clothing. "His experience with prestige brands especially aligns with where we want the Modern Ambition brand to go, and we're delighted to have him join us on this journey.' Gvakharia brings extensive experience in luxury retail, having launched and expanded high-end operations across North America. Notably, as the vice president head of retail Northeast & Canada at Ralph Lauren, he oversaw a diverse range of distribution channels, including flagship stores, ship to home operations, large format stores and concession boutiques. "I'm thrilled to join Mondetta at such a pivotal moment in its growth. The opportunity to shape the brand's retail journey, rooted in purpose, performance, and style, is both inspiring and deeply aligned with my values,' added Gvakharia. 'Starting with Modern Ambition, I look forward to working alongside this exceptional team to build something truly meaningful in the luxury menswear space.'
