Spotlight: Up Close & Personal With Mavromac

Meet Hanneke Swart from Mavromac and explore the many renowned fabric brands and local collections that have set this company apart.

Tell us about the history of Mavromac and the focus of your key brands; The Gatehouse and Mavromac?

Mavromac was created by Marguerite and started out in 1985, initially focusing primarily on representing prestigious international brands in South Africa. We later added our own fabric ranges. Gatehouse was developed to complement the core fabric business through the provision of furniture and accessories.

Mavromac is the preferred distributor of some of the world’s most distinguished international fabric brands. Can you tell us more about the brands represented?

Pierre Frey, Colefax, De Le Cuona, Mauel Canovas, Jane Churchill and Rubelli, amongst others, are some of the most established fabric institutions in our industry. They lead by both design and technology and are a great inspiration to me when putting my own Mavromac South Collections together.

These great and established names of our industry timeously launch collections which push boundaries and re-establish traditional styles by being true to their design ethics. They never lose focus of who they are and what they want to represent and as a result, continuously stand out as leading brands in the Interior Fabric Industry.

Tell us more about your stylish local fabric brand, Mavromac South.

Truly great and creative décor brands are timeless and never faddish. We strive to be timeless and we draw our inspiration from all walks of life, but always stay true to fundamental design philosophy. The great design houses are driven by a deep passion and love of what they do, or indeed in many cases, what the family has done for generations. We have to have that kind of passion for what we do.

Do you follow trends in sourcing for the South African market?

Following trends is necessary but can run the risk of being fashionable and temporary. I do follow trends but always try to interpret them in a way which will grow and to which can be added. My view on trends, when followed, is to try and establish something which is long-lasting. Part of following trends these days is to strive for sustainable collections.

When travelling I put real-time aside to walk the streets and gather what I believe will appeal to my market and to which they can relate.

We’re finding more and more consumers expect companies to have a sustainability focus. What is Mavromac doing to address this?

To the extent we are able to control it, we have long avoided sourcing materials from “sweatshop” producers and targeted those that produce fabrics utilising sustainable sources of raw materials. Our latest addition to our editeurs list, Fischbacher, is at the cutting edge of sustainable fabric production.

But more importantly, we made a conscious decision to start manufacturing our furniture and fittings locally on the basis that we cannot continue to exist in a country with desperate unemployment and be oblivious to it. Long believing in South African design and craftsmanship, growing the Gatehouse side through the employment of skilled local ironmongers, carpenters, French polishers and upholsterers. What we have found is that in many instances, the quality of our local workmanship is superior to our previously imported goods. This has in fact enabled us to develop our own product far more efficiently. We have some way to go in the reduction of unnecessary waste for example with our packing materials.

What’s the secret behind your collections that makes specifying your ranges a must-have?

Timeless, simplicity, strong in design when needed, and on trend.

What is your personal favourite piece in your current collections and why?

My personal favourite is undoubtedly the Family Sofa. It was practically developed on a trial and error basis in my own home. I have memories of my pre-primary children “chilling” on the sofa and watching them now, as varsity students, still finding it their go-to place when they want to vegetate when home and on holiday.

Any collaborations or projects you are working on?

We have just completed a collaboration with Fashion Designer David Hutt. It had been a desire of mine to join fashion and interior for some time now. My brief to David was Rural, Peasant, Barefoot, Nude make-up and Drama. It was one of the most special design moments in my life. We now have a “clothing range” in our beautiful Mavromac Linens, representing who we are and what we stand for – simple elegance with an emphasis on design.

What have been the main challenges that the pandemic created in 2020 and how have you overcome these challenges?

Our business is working capital intensive. Offering a premium product with a depth of range and choice requires significant stock holding. The pandemic hit us at the worst possible time – sales during December, January and even February are well below average whilst the cost base is greater than normal in December. So just when we started the normal up-cycle of recovery in our working capital levels, our operation was closed. We approached it by tackling all the challenges one at a time. We did this bit by bit and opened the doors as soon as we could.

The silver lining was that people created work-from-home spaces and decorated their holiday homes as an alternative to travel. I firmly believe that people who are part of the journey of beautifying their homes, want to “touch and feel” our product. So, whilst we cater for online viewing and purchases, it is a very small part. We have noticed many more couples, even families, passing through the showrooms than pre-covid.

Do you have a best-loved product in your own home?

Yes, the Family Sofa! My personal favourite is when we cover this wonderful piece of furniture in Linen.

What inspires you in your personal and work life?

I love beautiful things, I love helping people, no matter what their budget, to beautify their homes and spaces. I’m inspired by fabulously creative people at every level and I find great personal purpose in what we do at Mavromac and Gatehouse.

What do you do in your spare time?

I visit the African bush as often as I can, especially with my family. Whether it be pitching our own camp or “glamping”, the Nazhilla Plains of the Kafue in Zambia (our most recent trip) or good old Kruger, I find great peace and meditation under the African sky. We always feel so much tighter as a family after these trips. Furthermore, I make every attempt to see my children at boarding school and university respectively, as often as possible.