Please say hello to... Heartwood ‘Beloved’
"Kohia nga taikākā"
These words are a whakataukī, or saying, in the beautiful Maori language of New Zealand. Its approximate meaning is to gather the heartwood. To gather the heartwood is to strive for worthy things in life, and to live according to your values.
This is a beloved personal motto behind Aroha Textiles.
The Heartwood design to me is reminiscent of building with blocks alongside my daughter, and a wooden puzzle cube that belonged to my father. I was born in Tokoroa, a logging town. A forestry family. My father has worked most of his life in the NZ forestry industry, so my childhood was filled with the beauty and allure of wood. Building things from wood, being surrounded by wood grain, and walking up many hills to see many trees. Wood and trees and more wood. I love it. I love wood panelled rooms. I love parquet flooring. A lot.
Dad is an expert in hardwoods. Which sounds just like heartwood. Well, in my accent it does.
Beloved is the first all cotton Heartwood and is a small batch, like all our releases. We love to make to order, if you don’t see the length you want, please ask us!
Like Earnest and Joyful before it, it is light and soft in the hand, moldable after the first wash, and wonderfully floppy and obedient to wrap with. It has a drier feel in hand, a little less slink, and a bit more grip. Perfect for a new squish, it also offers generous support for heavier babies & toddlers in multi-layered carries. Being versatile and easycare, this makes for a great beater wrap at any time of year.
This design is a nod to my father, and also a nod of solidarity, to all of you, fellow parents striving to provide the utmost love and care to the next generation on earth.
These Beloved wraps will be available via draw/order form tomorrow. Valentine's/Palentine's Day!
We will edit this post to include a link to the entry form, as close to 10am as we can, and the draw will be open for 2 days, closing on Friday.
Pricing (in NZD) is as follows:
Ring Sling $195
Size 3 $215
Size 4 $235
Size 5 $255
Size 6 $275
Size 7 $295
Welcome to Aroha Textiles, a small Mum-run enterprise based in Auckland, New Zealand.
We are dedicated to sharing our love of baby-wearing throughout our beautiful land and far beyond. The comfort and convenience of woven wraps has become our passion - we love getting out and about in the glorious NZ outdoors, and equally we need to get things done around the house! It is our dream come true to create luscious and original textiles for you to carry and clothe your precious babies in.
Aroha wraps are conceived and created alongside family and friends, local artists and designers. Our range is inspired by the beauty of the South Pacific - from our unique wildlife and natural wonders to the rich traditions of pattern design and crafting of textiles.
We hope you enjoy wrapping your babies in Aroha, made with lots of love in New Zealand.
hello@arohatextiles.co.nz