Based at the chic boutique shopping complex 44 Stanley, Ifuku is a shrine dedicated to vintage denim, including a remarkable range of highly covetable Japanese brands (the name Ifuku means literally 'clothes' in Japanese). Here you'll also find vintage Levi’s, rare selvedge denim and a selection of Doc Martens boots. 

For the unitiated selvedge denim refes to the self finished edges of the denim fabric, used and often emphasised in the construction of the garment. It's a recognisable mark of premium denim. Fans of selvedge also enjoy comparing denim weights. It's a mark of pride to wear a pair that are almost impossible to hold up without immense reinforcement. 

It's no surprise that this store, under the leadership of the charming Rodney Mudzengerere has an almost cult-like following (good cult, that is). If you love rare and vintage denim, Ifuku should be a top stop on your shopping itnerary. 

Zimbabwean Rodney Mudzengerere is always oh-so stylishly dressed, and he has long pursued a passion for vintage. In fact, his lifelong love of cult vintage brands is the reason he arrived in Joburg in the first place. "I have dressed in the same style starting from how the 90s, the same way hip-hop guys dressed, but then discovered how the Japanese were on the next level of the style I loved. I came to Joburg actually to sell wire art so I could afford my clothes", he explains. Before opening the store he also did a stint crafting coffee at the iconic Father Coffee. 

Rodney sees the Ifuku store as "an authentic and honest experience of denim culture" and bases his love for denim in particular on the fact that these items "are the only pieces of clothing that are functional and iconically stylish". He is uncompromising in his adoration of denim.

When it comes to timeless appeal, of course pre-loved is where it's at. "Vintage pieces hold the true and original fabrics which are different from the fast fashion of today", he says. Hence at Ifuku you'll only find the highest quality vintage threads and designs.

And when it comes to an iconic item that every man should have in his wardrobe? According to Rodney "At least one pair of raw Selvedge denim". It's actually an across-the-board rule as the store also has limited items suitable for women.