Behind every fine garment is a story of how it came to be. For Barnard Mohair, that journey began in 1967 in Alicedale, a quiet town in the Eastern Cape.
It started with Jan Paul Barnard, who discovered the magic of raw Angora fibre while visiting a friend and began crafting hand-spun mohair curtains and carpets. A few years later, the brand found its fashion soul when Jan Paul married Elsa Barnard, a visionary designer from Munich.
Together, they transformed a local craft into an iconic collection, expanding from home textiles to the luxurious mohair jerseys and jackets loved today.
Taking over the family business
As the daughter and now owner of Barnard Mohair clothing brand, Louise Cameron grew up around the factory and regularly helped out at trade shows and exhibitions from a young age.
“During school holidays, we would earn extra pocket money by helping at the factory,” Cameron says. “That’s how we learned how mohair is processed, dyed, and ultimately made into the final products.”
About four years ago, Cameron took over the business, introducing new product and design ideas while focusing on new markets and distribution.
“It’s been a major learning curve,” she admits. “But the staff have been incredibly supportive; some of them have worked for the business for more than 40 years.”
According to Cameron, the Eastern Cape is one of the largest producers of mohair in the world, supplying roughly 48% of the international market. The Angora goat farms are mostly situated in and around Cradock, KwaNojoli (formerly Somerset East), Jansenville, and Willowmore.
Twice a year, the goats are shorn, and farmers bring the mohair to BKB for auction in Gqeberha.
“We pride ourselves on only using Eastern Cape mohair that adheres to the Responsible Mohair Sourcing certification,” Cameron notes. “This ensures that animals and farmworkers are treated with the necessary care and ethical standards. Plus, the Eastern Cape is a wonderful province to live in.”
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Educating consumers on the merits of mohair
To bring their garments to life, Cameron tells Food For Mzansi that the business initially focused on attending as many markets, shows, and exhibitions as possible.
“This was a great way to see the reactions that clients had to our new designs and collections. It also gave us insight into what clients liked, what we could possibly change, and what colours were popular.”
Later, the business launched a website and turned to Instagram and Facebook to connect with their audience.
“I made a point to try and see as many of our old customers who used to purchase from us as possible, to keep us front of mind.”
While she notes that shows are incredibly hard work, they remain an excellent way to showcase products and meet new customers.
One of their biggest challenges has been educating clients on the unique qualities of mohair. She says, “It’s not a fibre that people generally know, so we continue to explain its fantastic qualities.
“It’s a noble fibre; only five fibres in the world are classified as such. It is light, warm, and regulates temperature.
“Mohair also dyes exceptionally well, so you get these bright, vibrant colours which make beautiful designs.”
Cameron adds that lanolin, the natural grease in the wool, protects the fibre from dirt, meaning the final products do not need to be washed very often.
Sustainability and retail partnerships
When her father started the business in 1967, Cameron explains, one of his core focuses was social empowerment.
“We have recently employed two additional staff members, and the majority of our team are women.”
She says sustainability is also very important, noting, “96% of our products are made with natural fibres, using materials that are good for the environment. Even our dyeing processes use vinegar and Lanaset dyes to ensure that the colours stay permanent without harming the environment.”
Cameron believes in the power of a single customer who loves the brand, but strategic partnerships have helped the business scale.
“As the business has grown, we have started partnering with retailers such as Corricraft, who have been incredibly supportive of what we do,” Cameron says. “They understand our mission of creating a beautifully crafted, quality product in the heart of the Eastern Cape using only South African mohair.”
She adds that luxury safari brand Singita has also been a major supporter over the years. “Singita truly believes in our business and has been regular customers of ours. We believe in partnerships; it’s a great way to pull together resources.”
Business tips from Barnard Mohair
- Go the extra mile with personal customer service, like replacing a missing button or helping a client find the perfect colour match.
- The standard of your raw materials directly dictates the quality of your finished product.
- Actively engage on social media and call clients for feedback to keep your brand front of mind.
- Allow staff to experiment with new ideas and celebrate their wins; one of the brand’s best-selling designs came directly from their seamstress.
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