The 2024 Kids of Kurland Kikoi | Introducing ‘Galaxy’
Every year, we welcome a class of students from the Crags Primary School to the Mungo Mill, for a tour and a hands-on workshop that gives them a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how textiles are made.
After venturing into the mill to see our looms in action, where they witness first threads being woven into finished fabric, the students then visit our flagship store next door. Here they have a chance to touch and feel the finished cloth on the shelves, while our retail manager, Jonica, chats to them about fibres, weaves, colours and more – plus the ins and outs of running the shop floor and everything it entails…
The design-your-own-kikoi workshop.
Guided by our designer, Lenore, the students learn the basic principles of design and colour theory. They explore concepts like ‘form versus function,’ experiment with sources of inspiration, and dive into the world of colour, before tackling the highlight of the day: designing their own kikoi.
After combing through magazines for colour, mood and pattern inspiration, the students select their desired yarn colours and make wrappings – winding threads into looped bundles to be attached to their finished designs. Each student is given graph paper, and designing begins. Colourways are created through combinations of warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) stripes, and filled in with coloured pens to match the chosen yarns.
Time to Vote
After all the designs are complete, Lenore renders each one into a digital simulation. The designs are then shared with our friends, followers, and the wider community to determine a standout design.
With a winner chosen, production begins. The finished kikoi is woven to life on our looms at the Mungo Mill, and the cloth cut and prepped for sale – online and in our stores.
After combing through magazines for colour, mood and pattern inspiration, the students select their desired yarn colours and make wrappings – winding threads into looped bundles to be attached to their finished designs. Each student is given graph paper, and designing begins. Colourways are created through combinations of warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) stripes, and filled in with coloured pens to match the chosen yarns.
And The Winner Is…
‘Galaxy’ was designed by Jeslynn Windvogel, and wraps up our 2024 Kids of Kurland Kikoi Project.
All proceeds from ‘Galaxy’ go directly back to the Crags Primary School, supporting the hiring of a much-needed additional teacher.
A Truly Feel-good Purchase.
The Kids of Kurland Kikoi is an annual project run by our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, MOVE. Since 2018, we’ve dedicated 1% of our profits to initiatives that uplift the Plettenberg Bay community, where our mill and flagship store are located.
The 2024 Kids of Kurland Project is now in its sixth year. And next year, we’ll do it again.
