LOOMING LARGE
Tessa, Dax and Stuart Holding, owners of Mungo textile manufacturers in Plettenberg Bay, take us on a tour of the new Mungo Mill, where visitors can watch as their luxurious and ethically produced textiles are woven
Production at the mill combines antique looms from the preindustrial 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. 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. We also referenced some design elements from the old Yorkshire mills, which ran on water during that period. A water wheel would have powered the machines, followed by boilers and steam as technology progressed. The water feature at our mill represents that time, while adding architectural perspective in the form of reflections of the building. 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. 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.
www.mungo.co.za