Mungo Mill is a must-visit design destination for textile lovers
Ask any decorista where to source beautiful, locally-woven linen and chances are they'll say Mungo. The tablecloths, throws, bed linen and towels created by this Plettenberg Bay brand have gained loyal fans both at home and abroad.
Now owners, Tessa, Dax and Stuart Holding, have created Mungo Mill, a working weaving museum where visitors can watch as their luxurious and ethically-produced textiles are woven.
We chat to them to find out more.
Tell us a bit about the history of the Mungo brand.
Our father, Stuart Holding, started the company 35 years ago. He came from a small Yorkshire town where he knew exactly what his life would be like if he stayed.He'd work at the local mill, have 2.5 kids, marry Sally. But he turned his back on that and travelled the world, ending up in South Africa.
With his knowledge and skills, he started weaving and creating fabrics from his own perspective. He pushed the boundaries of what was possible; sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding. Through these experiences, he shaped the company and formed the Mungo vision.
Why create a working weaving museum?
People have lost touch with how things are manufactured, but we're passionate about showcasing and valuing the process by which something has been made.
As a species we have a largely negative impact on the planet, so at Mungo we want to use some of the tools at our disposal to champion the honesty and transparency of manufacturing. This promise holds us accountable and forces us to make decisions that ultimately benefit the environment.Tell us more about the futuristic building that houses Mungo Mill.
The primary design elements of the building are its external skin and its arches. We used local materials wherever possible, including bricks from 20km away and timber from the pine forests between George and Knysna.What can visitors expect to see while watching your weavers in action?
Production at the mill combines antique looms from the pre-industrial revolution with elements of modern technology.
Going forward five to 10 years, we'll look at modernising further in terms of equipment and computer programming, but there are definite benefits to holding on to the older machines.We're mindful of ensuring that the skill set doesn't die off with the people who know how to run the old looms, so the transfer of skills has become very important...
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