Suits & Sneakers presents: “The Tshepo Jeans Story" with Tshepo Mohlala

Suits & Sneakers hosts several events each month in Joburg, each featuring a different guest and theme. The idea is to create a space for ongoing learning that helps you broaden your thinking in a fast-changing world. This event will be hosted on the evening of Monday, 20 July, at The Tryst in Kramerville.

WHAT IS THIS EVENT ALL ABOUT?

Building a premium brand in South Africa is a brutal, messy fistfight that most people lose. There are no clean paths to success, no shortcuts, and absolutely no guarantees. On Monday, 20 July, Suits & Sneakers presents a fireside chat with Tshepo Mohlala, the founder of Tshepo Jeans.

Tshepo didn't build a world-class lifestyle brand from a comfortable corporate boardroom. He dropped out of fashion school because he couldn't pay the fees, survived a devastating business partnership collapse, battled deep personal depression, and was couch-surfing just to keep his dream alive. He built his empire by telling his raw story on social media, stitching his heart into every denim garment, and refusing to wait for permission from traditional retail gatekeepers.

Today, Tshepo Jeans is a globally recognised premium brand worn by everyday South Africans and global icons alike. This session is a raw, unfiltered look at resilience, brand building, and what it actually takes to scale a business when the odds are stacked entirely against you. Tshepo will share the honest mechanics of how he turned personal hardship into a thriving local movement, offering a practical blueprint for any builder, entrepreneur, or professional trying to navigate their own career or business transition in a tough economic climate.

MORE ABOUT TSHEPO MOHLALA

Tshepo Mohlala is the creative mind behind TSHEPO, a Johannesburg-based denim brand that has built a global reputation over the last decade. Raised by his mother and grandmother in Tsakane, his perspective on fashion was shaped early by the distinct personal style of the women who raised him.

Instead of chasing traditional fashion distribution channels, he built his business on a foundations of local identity, distinct storytelling, and premium craftsmanship. The brand's signature three-pronged crown logo was created to symbolise the royalty within ordinary people. His work has since moved well beyond local markets, capturing international attention from figures like Meghan Markle and Beyoncé, while operating out of his creative Atelier at Victoria Yards and retail spaces across Johannesburg.

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

This Suits & Sneakers event is proudly brought to you by EasyEquities, Evolv Outdoor, SA Future Trust, and the many small business owners that are Suits & Sneakers members. Together, we have created a support structure for small business owners and our collective goal is to grow the economy, while lowering unemployment. More about that on the night.