How did you get into macramé?
While I was working in my family's business, Lush Flowers, I created some basic plant hangers to sell in the shop. Not long after, I was on holiday in New York and Los Angeles, where I discovered what a huge trend macramé had become. I saw a gap in the South African market and seized the opportunity, In July 2015, I launched House of Grace. My timing was perfect and my business took off quickly.What made you realise macramé was what you wanted to spend your time on?
I started to see beyond the bohemian, '70s aesthetic, and started creating African-inspired, bold and colourful hangers, as well as minimal and modern designs. It is a medium that can be applied in many different ways.
Besides planters, what do you make?
Everything from headboards for beds, screens, curtains, table runners, wedding arches, bassinets, chairs, art installations and bags for fashion shows. I still have so many ideas and projects that I want to realise.
How would you define your style?
Modern, colour-driven, simple and textured.
The best thing about working with yarn?
It is a very malleable material.
And the worst?
On big jobs the rope can really hurt your hands.What is the most ambitious thing you've ever made?
I created 46 chairs all by myself for Mama San restaurant in Johannesburg. It was definitely the hardest I have had to push myself. Nothing beats the feeling of achieving something like this.
A product you'd like to macramé one day?
I would love to create macramé clothing.
What are your thoughts on the local design industry?
I think we have an incredibly unique aesthetic and it is important for young people to remember that. While it is important to look to the rest of the world for their trends, it is equally important to realise the rest of the world is looking to us for inspiration. South Africans are passionate, self-reliant and industrious - these are qualities that make for confident designers who bravely look to a positive future...