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MOKI.STORE

LAST WORD

Moki.store is the realisation of a dream which owners, Monica and Ian Loubser, have long held. They describe their two stores – uMhlanga and Kloof – as “quite simply a collection of things we love, a reflection of our ever-evolving style. We opened it because we couldn’t find anything like it here.” Simple.

The Loubsers aren’t new to the industry, and have long been supplying retailers. For them, Moki is a personal project, focused entirely on their style, and – clearly – the style of many others too.

Step into a Moki.store, and feel the peace. The store design, layout and decor creates a

THE LOUBSER’S DRIVING FORCE BEHIND MERCHANDISE SOURCING FOR MOKI.STORE IS ENTIRELY PERSONAL, WRITES ANNE SCHAUFFER

or yourself. We are a kind of a ‘no rules anything goes as long we like it’ store.”

Moki also offers a platform for local designers to showcase their products. They’re currently working on creating a space in Moki uMhlanga where they can showcase a single designer for a limited time.

Many of Moki’s products are unique: “We

contemplative space you don’t want to leave: “We love the minimal aesthetic of Japanese and Scandinavian design,” says Monica. “We adore plants – they transform any space into a place of peace, tranquillity and give a Zenlike feel. The Japanese have a practice called forest bathing which is simply using all your senses to absorb the forest atmosphere. It can be done anywhere where you have plants or trees, not necessarily in a forest. If you can’t be outside, bring the outside in.”

In Moki, you’ll find homeware, plants, furniture, books, stationery, clothing, cosmetics and jewellery, with quality of design and manufacture paramount. “The idea at Moki is to be able to find something different for someone

RIGHT: Ian and Monica Loubser. SURROUNDS: Some of the amazing goodies you’ll find at Moki.store.

try to source local, well designed and made products, but also stock a selection of overseas finds … from Europe, Morocco, India, Malawi, and the East,” says Monica.

The Loubsers are massive book fans: “There’s still something magical about a book, and we source and stock a very different selection – and it’ll continue to grow.”

And you’ll find IXXI at Moki, a concept the Loubsers discovered in Amsterdam: “We bought an Ernst Haeckel print for the Kloof store entrance, and just loved it – we’re now their local agents. The beauty of the system is that it is so easy to install, and customisable, so you can get one to fit any space. There are so many designs and images to choose from.”

The Loubsers may head up Moki, but their two right-hand women, Valthi Swanepoel and Jessica Shuttleworth, “are as much part of Moki as we are,” says Monica.

“We believe our offering is unique. Some of our product is a bit edgier than most homeware stores, it’s not intentional, just our style. And yes, black is our favourite colour …” *