Mary Macgregor is the founder of BAKKA, which produces sustainable contemporary Fair Isle textiles to the highest quality and standards. Mary launched the company in December 2016 after identifying a gap in the market for high quality fine-gauge Fair Isle textiles. She chose to only use the old colours and take all her inspiration from the oldest patterns and motifs, creating a niche market for the brand.

As a result, she describes BAKKA as preserving Shetland’s famous Fair Isle knitwear heritage by using the oldest patterns and colours in a contemporary manner. 

All her work is produced in a unique reversible Fair Isle fabric in 100% superfine merino or Pima cotton for modern functionality. There are both wearable accessories and a range of interiors products.

“My products are completely sustainable and traceable,” she says. “I operate a zero-waste policy; all samples and waste pieces are upcycled.”

BAKKA also sells a small range of fisherman’s keps, cloche hats and occasionally a few fine lace shawls, all hand-knitted in pure Shetland wool. There is also a choice of knitting patterns for keps.

“One of my reversible Fair Isle scarves is currently showcased in Design-Nation’s 20Makers, 20Objects exhibition, celebrating 20 years of championing British Craft and Design,” explains Mary. More information can be found here.

Going forwards, she plans to develop a parallel range of both interior textiles and wearables using the new method of colouring the old Fair Isle motifs which she discovered in July and is being presented for the first time at Dutch Design Week 2020. More information can be seen on DDW20’s website here.

Mary pictured wearing a BAKKA mask (coming soon to the market)

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