Design duo go international
IF THERE is one thing the pandemic has taught creatives, it is the importance of collaborations. Sometimes as an entrepreneur you need to partner with other entrepreneurs for your business to reach a wider market.
South African décor design duo Morongwe “Mo” Mokone and Michelle Mokone have partnered with US retailer Crate and Barrel to sell their products across Europe.
The Mokone sisters started Mo’s Crib in 2016 as a hobby. Little did they know that one day they would attract international retailers with their unique designs.
They started with only one product, the origami swan sculptures, which they sold at local markets.
The product won the Best Product of the Market award on its first outing. Due to its popularity, they were able to introduce the recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) range laundry basket in 2017. The PVC range consists of stylish baskets and planters made from PVC water pipes individually handpicked and collected from landfills and construction sites around the country. These are then cut into strips and neatly woven for 4 to 7+ hours to create the PVC product range.
“Construction sites and landfills are earmarked as places that only men go to. So, to see a woman hand-pick and collect PVC water pipes from these spaces often results in not being taken seriously, which makes building business relationships a tough task,” says lead designer, Mo.
By July 2019, the Mokone sisters had resigned from their full-time jobs and committed to Mo’s Crib.
For them, securing the Crate and Barrel partnership marks the culmination of the hard work they have done with the artisans that make up the heart and soul of the company.
Entirely staffed by women, Mo’s Crib is all about empowering women to take up the space in a male-dominated industry.
The brand is recognised by local retailers such as Builders Warehouse, Woolworths, and Mr Price Home.