It’s been a decade since TSHEPO Jeans left behind a humble car boot dream to become a major fashion movement. In 2025, TSHEPO Jeans is marking a milestone decade of defying the odds, sewing stories, and styling wardrobes across South Africa and the globe.
Founded in 2015 by Tshepo Mohlala, alias “The Jean Maker,” the brand has been synonymous with premium African denim and storytelling. TSHEPO Jeans started small, today having a presence in prime locations like Hyde Park Corner with flagship stores and a pop-up at Sandton City Mall.
A Decade Of Denim Dominance
TSHEPO Jeans is not just jeans; it’s heritage, identity, and pride. Its crown logo trademark has adorned the behinds of locals and international icons, such as Meghan Markle. Each piece has a story to tell, woven with threads of African craftsmanship and culture.
“Denim is our canvas, but storytelling is our craft,” declares Mohlala. “Each stitch, each seam, bears the burden of our past and the promise of our future.”
Awards, Collaboration, and Cultural Impact
The brand’s influence hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2022, TSHEPO Jeans was named Overall Top Brand at the first-ever Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards, also taking home the Top Apparel Brand award.
Partnerships have been central to the journey of TSHEPO. From partnering with Woolworths on a special-edition tee celebrating the South African Constitution to dropping the “Last Stories of Culture” capsule collection with Castle Milk Stout, honoring cultural matriarchs Ouma Katrina Esau and Gogo Madosini, the brand seamlessly couples fashion with meaningful stories.
Most recently, TSHEPO collaborated with The Singleton, a globally renowned Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand, further establishing itself as a lifestyle brand that transcends clothing.
Sustainability And Africanism at its Core
TSHEPO Jeans is committed to sustainability and commemorating African heritage. TSHEPO Jeans sources cotton from Zimbabwe, dyes it with old Japanese methods rooted in African heritage, and weaves it on a twill system born in Morocco. The entire fashion collection is produced in their atelier in Victoria Yards, Johannesburg.
“We’re not making jeans; we’re preserving culture, driving sustainability, and empowering communities,” emphasizes Mohlala.
In celebration of this milestone, TSHEPO Jeans will be launching a range of activities, including a retrospective show, limited-edition releases, and community outreach initiatives with the goal of nurturing the next generation of African designers.
“This celebration isn’t about turning back; it’s about pushing forward,” says Mohlala. “We’re looking forward to continuing on our journey, sharing African stories stitch by stitch.”
