Mungo Giveaway
'Sustainability' and 'longevity' are not the sole preserve of hip London designers – far from it. Master weaver Stuart Holding has been sourcing natural fibres, designing and weaving cotton pieces with an emphasis on longevity since 1998. Mungo is a renowned homeware and textile brand based on the grounds of Old Nick Village in South Africa. Working from their own mill, the company’s mission is to create heirloom quality woven goods with integrity in an open and transparent atmosphere.
Mungo uses cotton, wool and mohair that is grown and produced in South Africa. They design, weave and finish linen throws, blankets, bedding, towels and apparel. Furthermore we are especially keen on their weaving methods; with their own warping equipment, newly restored Ruti and rapier looms, they are able to weave wider fabrics.
The company has been busy this month, brightening up their iconic Tawulo towel range with the vibrant new Soleil. The Tawulo is a classic and original addition to the Mungo flat-weave towel range. One of the defining characteristics is that no two Tawulo’s are the same, thanks to the random rolling of the weft yarn in the weaving process. True to its name, the Soleil towel evokes the warmth of summer sunshine, even as we drift unwillingly towards autumn.
The inspiration behind this technique comes from the historical weavers in West Africa. Traditionally coloured yarns were obtained by extracting natural dyes from plants, which was limited to what grew in their region. When traders began to come to Africa from all over the world they brought exotically coloured fabrics with them. These fabrics were unravelled and the yarns re-woven in combination with local yarns to create a hybrid of pattern and colour.
The Tawulo flat weave towels are all woven from 100% cotton grown in Swaziland. They are highly absorbent, quick-drying and eco-friendly due to their low bulk. A versatile bath, pool or beach towel which folds tight when travelling.
They have also produced a fascinating behind-the-scenes film, which shows Mungo's hardworking mill in action. Watch it here:
Woven from 100% Swaziland cotton, Mungo's classic Boma Cloth best exemplifies their proudly South African ethos. The irregular geometric weave pattern is especially absorbant and the design will add a warm, rich texture to your kitchen. The first 100 three-year subscribers to Selvedge Magazine will each receive one of these beautiful cloths.
