Tshepo Jeans: Fashion with heart and deeper meaning

He’s charismatic and unassuming at the same time, but one thing is for sure – Tshepo Mohlala is South Africa’s Mr Denim jeans.

His premium store in Hyde Park Shopping Centre is the epicentre of absolute cool. As you walk into the store it’s impossible not to feel blown away by the simple, yet detailed narrative in his fashion. Funky staff, knowledgeable to the hilt, style customers, while Mohlala is dreaming up his next collection.

It’s a success story that unfolds daily, on an upward curve.

Mohlala’s designs

For Mohlala, his designs are about storytelling. It was this love that led him to denim: “Denim is one of those platforms that’s understandable by many people around the world,” he said.

“And everybody, at least once in their lifetime, will buy a pair of jeans.

“The most amazing thing about denim is you can buy it today and for the next 20 years you’re going to wear it, and you’re going to pass it on from generation to generation. It’s one of those garments that’s everyone’s cup of tea.

“I think that’s who I am. I’ve always wanted to connect to as many people as I can and spread a message of hope through my work.”

That message of hope is at the heart of Tshepo Jeans.

Backstory

Mohlala’s background is a place of deep misery, he explained, and his brand is all about providing hope and positivity.

“It’s the greater good of yourself,” he said. “It’s that feeling, you know? It’s that one thing that wakes you up in the morning. Why do you do what you do? So that’s what the Tshepo brand centres on. It’s the notion that wherever you are, you can be the best version of yourself.”

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His own story was of growing up in poverty and the challenges of township life. But as a youngster, he promised himself that he would get out of that environment and move onto greater things. It’s a commitment he kept.

His philosophy includes mindfulness, too, and a new narrative for South Africa that’s about the people who should rise and collaborate to make South Africa a better place.

“If you rise with others in mind, it is all about community building it.

“We know that no one is coming to save us, and if you have the platform, opportunity and chance to save others do so.”

Mohlala has launched a campaign to create awareness of his ideals. It’s called Rise, and designs are available in his store. These are sold to raise funding for his passion project to uplift the heart of the country and to inspire South Africans.

Mohlala was raised by three strong women: his mother, aunt and grandmother. It was his grandmother, a masterful storyteller, who inspired his love of storytelling.

“I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller,” he said. “I remember when I left matric, I went to study filmmaking. Then I realised my truth was fashion.”

He dropped out of his studies though, because he couldn’t afford it.

“I think that was a blessing for me. It took me on a journey to discover myself, to discover what I love and what I want to do. And where I fit into the world.”

All Mohlala’s garments are manufactured locally and he supports various skills and job creation centres this way. He believes that fashion has the potential to change the world and he’s determined to make a positive impact.

“I think as a brand there is a significant contribution that we can make towards the world, towards the African continent, and also continue to ask people to think about their neighbour as much as they think about themselves.”

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Mohlala is also committed to making his brand more sustainable and eco-friendly.

Denim is notoriously one of the most polluting materials in the fashion industry, so Mohlala is taking steps to ensure that his brand’s production process is as sustainable as possible.

“We really go deep into the stuff that makes our product. It must be sustainable,” he said.

He spoke enthusiastically about new additions to the Tshepo brand. This includes the first line of jerseys and sneakers, due to hit the catwalk in a couple of weeks. Mohlala is as inspiring to listen to as it is fun to browse his collection.

And fashion with a heart, with a back story and a deeper meaning is more enticing to wear.

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