Lehlohonolo Fortune Mothibe, better known as 40fawtee, has carved a name for himself as one of Springs’ rising fashion creatives. At 29, his work has already earned him a Levi’s competition win, multiple features on Grailed, and recognition from major international fashion figures.

Mothibe grew up in KwaThema and later moved to Pollak Park as a teenager, matriculating from Springs Boys High School. He told the Springs Advertiser that the move, and living with his father, helped him focus on a better path for himself.

Fashion was always part of his environment. He remembers watching his mother dress with effortless style and absorbing the energy of hip hop culture.

“My mom played a big role. She’s always been stylish. Then hip hop music came into my life through artists like Lil Wayne and ASAP Rocky. I wanted to be like them one day,” he said.

His journey began in 2010, when he started using clothing as an expression of mood and personality.

Compliments from peers made him realise that style was becoming a lifestyle. Things shifted further in 2018 when he reached out to family friend and mentor John ‘JD’ Ramotsepe, who introduced him to thrifting, opening a new world of European and Japanese fashion pieces.

By 2019, Mothibe began taking fashion seriously, experimenting with brands and styles, and collaborating with friend Tumelo Mashilo on photoshoots. In 2020, the duo pushed their creativity further, learning photography and building confidence in front of the camera.

“I became obsessed with buying more clothes, taking more photos, and learning. Our creativity grew a lot around that time,” he said.

Mothibe emphasises that consistency and discipline have shaped his career.

“Staying clean, taking care of yourself, keeping healthy and staying in shape matters. Self-care shaped me a lot,” he said.

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This year marks his biggest breakthrough. Winning the Levi’s UGC competition in April was a turning point.

“It made me feel I can do anything I set my mind to. It reminded me to stay focused and never give up,” he said.

Another highlight was being featured six times on Grailed, an online marketplace for high-end clothing.

“Grailed showcases stylish creatives across different countries. To be featured six times in one year is amazing – it reflects the work and growth I’ve put in,” Mothibe said.

These features came after years of persistence, consistently tagging Grailed and improving his style until he caught their attention. He also drew inspiration from figures he admired, including Ian Connor, YoungLord, and Bloody Osiris.

A turning point came in 2022 when he posted a photo of himself in all white with Jeremy Scott Adidas wings, and Bloody Osiris liked the image and praised it. Not long after, Ian Connor reposted his photo, and since then, both have exchanged messages online.

Mothibe said support from Bloody Osiris played a significant role in his Levi’s competition win, as mentions were part of the judging criteria. His content often features locations across Springs.

“It’s not about spotlighting the area but connecting my environment to my creativity. Springs is a heavy industrial city, and bridging that gap was important,” he explained.

When working in different locations, he and his team always ask for permission if needed, but he focuses primarily on executing his vision, not on community reactions. Mothibe encourages other young creatives to use anything at their disposal to realise their vision.

“Inspiration is everywhere. Just start, and things will unfold in ways you couldn’t anticipate. Find your niche, do your best, and the rest will follow,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mothibe plans to travel more, collaborate with brands, and continue building his name.

“I want to be the best at what I do, push limits, build my team, and establish my name as a trusted brand,” he said.