Loom Towels

Loom Towels by Melbourne designer Mikala James. Photo - Sean Fennessy, Styling -Nat Turnbull for The Design Files.

Loom Towels by Melbourne designer Mikala James. Photo - Sean Fennessy, Styling -Nat Turnbull for The Design Files.

I often feel that in general, there is a bit of variety lacking in the bathroom linen category.  If you're after colour, there really are only a handful of options out there, and I just can't help but feel I often see the same pieces over and over again.  SO I was very excited to come across Loom Towels recently, with their plush cotton pile, gorgeous variegated colours and sweet tassel details.  The range was launched here in Melbourne by textile designer Mikala James in 2012. Mikala studied fashion and textiles in London, before returning to her hometown of Melbourne and completing a Bachelor degree in Commerce / Entrepreneurship. It was during this degree that she started Loom Towels, putting into practice everything she was learning, even before she had completed her studies. The launch of Loom Towels was inspired by a trip to Turkey in 2011. 'I spent three weeks travelling from the North to the South, it was magical' she recalls. Whilst in Turkey, Mikala was fortuitously introduced to some local weavers, and began what has now developed into a three year friendship and business relationship with this group of traditional artisans.  This close relationship has built a strong foundation for Mikala's growing business. 'For me, it’s about combining aesthetics with ethics; creating a product with equal importance given to functionality, durability, sustainability and aesthetics' she says. There is no mass-scale production at Loom Towels. Each towel is individually loomed in Turkey by two communities, who have each been weaving towels on traditional handlooms for generations - a process which can take over eight days for one large towel. All the towels are made from 100% GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton and natural dyes, which means they're super soft and absorbent, and lovely to use, not just to look at! Though currently quite a modest operation,  Mikala is looking forward to growing and developing her little brand, and we're quietly confident that this fledgling homewares label is destined for very big things!  You can purchase Loom Towels in Mikala's online store, and from various stockists in Melbourne (sadly not listed on their website, sorry! But I have spotted them in a number of local retail stores!).

Loom Towels by Melbourne designer Mikala James. Photo - Sean Fennessy, Styling - Nat Turnbull for The Design Files.

Loom Towels by Melbourne designer Mikala James. Photo - Sean Fennessy, Styling - Nat Turnbull for The Design Files.