Craftspersonship & Community: The Story of Mungo

Mungo’s heirloom quality, blankets, throws, towels and linens are crafted with care and created to be treasured. The philosophy being that what is created, and the manner in which it is created, will filter down to the end user and help to improve the world we live in.

In 1998, master weaver Stuart Holding started a passion project using two restored antique looms to weave limited runs of beautiful homeware textiles. 

He sold the resulting linens in his wife, Janet’s, shop. Soon, demand outstripped supply and the small business flourished. In 2017, the Mungo team fulfilled a long-cherished dream of building their own mill. Testament to their philosophy of transparency in production processes, the entire mill is open to the public.

ETHICAL TRADING, INTEGRITY & SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION

The business might have grown, but Mungo’s founding ethos remains unchanged; ethical trading, integrity and sustainable production, in a non-industrial environment. Defying the status-quo, Mungo does not compromise on production methods, raw materials or working conditions.

The Rhythm of a South African Weaving Mill | Mungo from MUNGO on Vimeo.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

Many of Mungo’s weavers have been trained in-house from scratch and have worked their way up from apprentices. Seamstresses have gained their trade through education or the craft was handed down through their parents. The Mungo team work together to impact the local economy in a meaningful way through skills, job creation and social responsibility. 

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Mungo actively supports projects that improve the social and environmental health of their local community. One example is the Kids of Kurland Project, a volunteer organization providing life skills education to children in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, to help them overcome the social issues in their community.

PAYING HOMAGE TO AFRICAN HERITAGE

Mungo has a vast historic archive of patterns and designs. Many of the linens pay homage to traditional African techniques and patterns - from the bold Yoruba tie-and-dye blanket (opposite) to the no-two-are-the-same Tawulo towel. Each textile will stand the test of time and add an original story to your home.

VIEW THE COLLECTION HERE.