Unknown Union and Aranda collaboration is worthy of royalty

Today, 16 April 2015, the Cape Town-based design collective and fashion boutique Unknown Union is launching an exclusive collaboration with Aranda Textile Mills called 'Original Royals' at the Museum of African Design (MOAD) in Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg.

Image: UnknownUnion.co.za

This pop-up shop marks the design company's first retail venture outside of Cape Town.

'Original Royals' is a collection of outerwear that fuses the rich history of the Basotho Heritage Blankets with contemporary design. Each style of blanket is available only in limited quantities and for a limited period. Careful attention is paid during construction to ensure that the integrity of the historical blanket designs is maintained.

Skilled local artisans cut the fabric by hand and sew the garments in Unknown Union's Cape Town atelier. The unique weaving and finishing processes employed by Aranda - sole manufacturer of the Basotho Heritage Blankets for many years, with the blessing of the Lesotho Royal Family - renders Original Royals wind proof and water resistant. Four generations of innovation from Aranda has gone into refining the Basotho Heritage Blanket's ability to withstand the harshest conditions.

"Since its founding in 2011, Unknown Union has sought to repurpose African fabrics in unique and unconventional ways. Original Royals is the ultimate realisation of that vision," said Jason Storey, founder of Unknown Union.

Prior to this retail joint venture with MOAD, Unknown Union collaborated with Topshop, Topman and Levi's Vintage Collection to launch their brands in Africa for the first time.