The collaboration between Daniel Harris and SONMO to restore Mallorcan wool
The story of SONMO and Daniel Harris de London Cloth Co. is a journey that unites tradition, sustainability, and collaboration. When SONMO had the opportunity to acquire the old looms of a Mallorcan factory closed since the late 60s, the vision to revitalize the island’s textile sector gained strength. This is where Daniel Harris comes in, a self-taught master weaver and an enthusiast of antique machines, who has made a name for himself by restoring Victorian looms and other industrial equipment, giving them a second life in his micro-mill in London or his new space in a small Welsh village.
Daniel Harris's passion for antique machines
Since its beginnings in 2011, Harris has transformed his micro-mill into a unique space where every loom has its own story. With no previous weaving experience, Harris began over 20 years ago by restoring an old loom he rescued from a barn in Wales. Today, he is considered an expert in the field, operating a wide range of 19th-century looms and creating exclusive fabrics in collaboration with renowned designers.
Harris’s skill in adapting these machines to new uses made him the perfect partner for SONMO, which sought to restore the abandoned looms of a Mallorcan textile factory to create wool products using local flocks.
A shared project: restoring the looms in Mallorca
In 2023, the restoration project began in Palma with a team led by Harris and Clara Vignal, head of SONMO’s textile department.
Each piece was carefully dismantled, modernized, and adapted to operate with individual electric motors, preserving the original essence of the looms while making them more sustainable and efficient.
More than blankets: a commitment to culture and environment
The SONMO project with Daniel Harris represents more than a commercial partnership. It is a commitment to sustainability and the preservation of local culture. Thanks to Harris’s expertise in traditional weaving techniques, SONMO has not only produced high-quality blankets but also reconnected with Mallorcan textile craftsmanship. Each blanket, crafted in Valldemossa, is a testament to the resilience and adaptation of a nearly forgotten art on the island. It also demonstrates how artisanal practices can be both innovative and sustainable.
This collaboration has not only brought a long-forgotten product back to the island but also a piece of history and a vision for a future more connected to the local environment. The first SONMO blankets, now available in limited edition, are more than warming objects; they represent a philosophy and a community united by respect and the regeneration of local resources.
The entire collection is available in the SONMO online store as well as in our physical stores in Valldemossa and Palma. For more information on the creation process, visit our Youtube and Instagram channels.
