We launched Tjoobies (the brand) in 2020, but the product itself was created way back in 2013. How it became its own brand is a long story, but here's the short version...
"Why don't you try make a leather cord I can sell with my sunnies"
This random suggestion from a friend who owns a local sunglass company, had us exploring a solution immediately. Inspired by our surroundings, it didn't take long for us to settle on the design you now see... leather thong, some colourful thread, and the best rubber connector solution the universe could've magically sent to us!
The endless positive feedback we started receiving and the love for the product really took us by surprise. We didn't realise then what we'd stumbled upon, but this humble product started to develop a cult like following that would eventually force us to pay attention.
Tjoobies are still hand-crafted in our Woodstock workshop, in beautiful Cape Town.
What's with the name Tjoobies?!
Perhaps you've already figured it out, but that name has everything to do with the rubber connectors you use to attach Tjoobies to your eyewear. We make them from old bicycle tubes, or as they're colloquially pronounced in South Africa "tjoobs" (choobs). Hence the name Tjoobies! Or chew-bees if you're struggling with the spelling.
Limiting our impact on the environment has always been high up on our list of priorities, so intercepting rubber bicycle tubes on their way to landfill and upcycling them is something we're really proud of. And they work so damn well!
One word of warning though - once you've worn a Tjoobie, it's very hard to go without it ;)
