LESSON

Designer jeans in Johannesburg

B1 learning English in real life with authentic language
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 Transcript
Designer’s jeans get recognition - 8th March 2024
Jeans designer Tshepo Mohlala’s started a denim revolution in South Africa. He’s now selling his special designs to celebrities and royalty.
Mohlala grew up in a poor South African township. As a teenager, his neighbours made fun of him for wearing skinny jeans because they
weren’t fashionable.
He left his township to study at design college. However, he was forced to quit his course due to a lack of money.
Tshepo Mohlala: "Yeah, I went to design school and then I dropped out due to financial difficulties. Which is, probably was the best thing that
has ever happened in my life because it made me think really hard if I really want to be in the fashion space for, forever and for the rest of my
life. And I decided to be in it and I forced my way into the industry."
Mohlala was still passionate about fashion, and he opened his own fashion business with an 8,000 rand loan from his girlfriend. The jeans that
he produced were designed with African women’s bodies in mind. He named his company Tshepo.
Tshepo Mohlala: "A whole lot of African women have a tiny waist and big booties and big hips and then tiny legs. So we created a range of
jeans using raw denim with no stretch that is super tailored for a woman but is readily available in our store.”
The crown logo on Tshepo jeans has special importance. The crown’s three points represent three women who’ve been central figures in
Mohlala’s life.
The designer’s now being supported by women celebrities, such as Beyonce, who’s listed Tshepo as a brand she admires. Meghan Markle even
took time out to purchase a pair.
Tshepo Mohlala: "Well, when Meghan Markle came into the space, I think at the time a lot of South Africans were saying why would I buy
Tshepo, why would I do this? And then you have the Duchess of Sussex coming here, really calling me and begging that like I need to get a pair
of jeans from you before I leave the country. So for us, it was like a, just a - you know, it’s a stamp of affirmation and of approval, of this product
is certified. It’s good enough for anyone in the world.”
Mohlala’s business now includes a staff of 10 tailors at its centre in Johannesburg, where the jeans are manufactured. The denim, which is
processed in Japan, is sourced from cotton farms in Zimbabwe. Although a pair of made to measure Tshepo jeans costs $375,
2 the brand’s range of ready to wear jeans, t-shirts and hats provides a more affordable option.
 Before you watch
1. What do you think are the important factors in becoming a
successful fashion designer?
2. How can cultural backgrounds influence fashion design?
3. What challenges do you think entrepreneurs face in the
fashion industry?
4. Discuss the importance of celebrities and public figures in
promoting fashion brands.
5. What makes a fashion brand unique or special in your
opinion?
6. Can you think of an example where fashion has been
3 influenced by social or economic factors?
 Vocabulary matching
Fill the following gaps with the words below in the correct form.
financial / source / revolution / manufacture / neighbour / tailor /
affirmation / industry
1. The new technology caused a ______ in the automotive sector.
2. My ______ are always helpful when I need assistance.
3. He had to leave the university due to ______ difficulties.
4. She's looking for a job in the movie ______.
5. This suit is ______ to fit perfectly.
6. The award gave her an ______ of her talents.
7. The ingredients for the dish were ______ locally.
8. These gadgets are ______ in a state-of-the-art facility.
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 Video

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 After you watch
1. How did Tshepo Mohlala's background influence his career in
fashion?
2. What were some of the challenges Mohlala faced in his
journey?
3. How is Tshepo’s jeans design unique, especially for African
women?
4. Why is the crown logo significant on Tshepo jeans?
5. How did celebrities impact Tshepo Mohlala's brand?
6. What makes Tshepo’s jeans stand out in the fashion industry?
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 Grammar Point
Passive Voice in Narratives:
Introduction: The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the object of an action becomes the subject of
the sentence. It shifts the focus from who is performing the action to what is being acted upon.
Form: The passive voice is formed by using the verb "to be" in the appropriate tense followed by the past participle
of the main verb. For example:
Present Simple: The jeans are designed by Tshepo.
Past Simple: The company was named Tshepo.
Future Simple: The jeans will be manufactured in Johannesburg.
Usage:
When the actor/agent is unknown: "The jeans were found in the store." (We don't know who found them)
When the actor/agent is unimportant or obvious: "The fashion show will be held on Saturday." (It's obvious that an
organizing committee is responsible)
To emphasize the action or object rather than the actor/agent: "The denim is sourced from Zimbabwe." (The focus
is on where the denim comes from, not who sources it)
In formal or academic writing: Passive voice is often used to create an objective tone.
Passive Voice with an Agent: Sometimes, the actor/agent is mentioned in a passive sentence, typically introduced by
the preposition "by." For instance: "The denim revolution was started by Tshepo.".
Avoiding Ambiguity: Be cautious when using the passive voice as it can sometimes lead to ambiguity if it's not clear
what the subject refers to.
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 Grammar Point
Transform the following sentences from active to passive voice:
1. Tshepo Mohlala started a denim revolution.
2. He opened his fashion business several years ago.
3. Celebrities are supporting the designer.
4. Tailors make the jeans in Johannesburg.
5. Farmers grow the cotton in Zimbabwe.
6. Tshepo named his company after himself.
7. The industry recognizes his innovative designs.
8. He uses raw denim for his creations.

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 Questions for discussion
1. How do personal experiences shape one's career choices,
as seen in Tshepo Mohlala's story?
2. What is the role of perseverance in achieving success?
3. How do cultural elements influence fashion trends and
consumer preferences?
4. Discuss the impact of high-profile endorsements on
consumer products.
5. What are the pros and cons of high-priced fashion items?
6. How can fashion be a tool for social and economic change?
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 Recommendation
We recommend doing the interactive exercises related to the lesson:
What’s the word you hear?
Prepositions
Construct sentences
Read at 3 different speeds
Verbs
Sentence muddle

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