EVER since US teenagers pulled on workmen’s pants in the 1950s, denim has been an iconic fabric. South African designers are happily joining in."I am a denim fanatic," says Tshepo Mohlala, who launched his brand, Tshepo the Jean Maker, in November. "You can play around with denim, transform it."In 2014, Mohlala and Thato Mafubelu-Matabane teamed up with technology specialist Vusi Ndinisa to launch what is widely accepted as Africa’s first denim brand, AfrikanSwiss.It all began in Mafubelu-Matabane’s home in Bosmont on the West Rand. "I always had an interest in clothing. I used to make jackets from old jeans. I would tear them apart. Everyone in my home wanted some."In 2010, Mafubelu-Matabane met Ole Ledimo, who had made a name for himself with the House of Ole fashion brand.Mafubelu-Matabane interned for Ledimo and worked on AfrikanSwiss on the side, with Ledimo’s blessing.Mafubelu-Matabane met Mohala at a South African Fashion Week event, and the trio went on to launch AfrikanSwis...
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