About Us
At The Basket Room, you’ll find beautiful handwoven baskets, bags, and accessories. Handcrafted by women’s cooperatives in Africa, our colourful woven collections inspire creativity with their artisanal patterns and organic designs. With sustainability at the core of everything we do, our African woven baskets are kind on the planet and good for the soul. They provide opportunities for weavers in rural areas while bringing contemporary colour to every corner of the home.
Who We Are
The Basket Room is an ethical home interiors brand inspired by fashion, creativity, and sustainability. A brand committed to empowering women in rural Africa while bringing consciously created products to modern living spaces and contemporary homes. It is a company almost a decade in the making, and it all started with a road trip from South Africa to Nairobi.
Holly McMullen, the CEO of The Basket Room, embarked on her journey into ethical African textiles while travelling the continent with her father in 2006. Six years later, while studying fashion design, she met co-founder Camilla Sutton, and the idea of The Basket Room was born.
Today, The Basket Room is the home of African woven baskets in the UK. Our collections inspire interior designers and homemakers worldwide; our commitment to sustainability makes us a leader in ethical home accessories.
MEET THE TEAM
Holly
Co-Founder & Creative Director
Holly studied Fashion at University, specialising in sustainable and ethical clothing. Her journey exploring ethical crafts began with a trip through East Africa in 2006 and influenced Holly to title her dissertation: 'The Effects of Globalisation on The African Fashion & Textile Industry'.
Excited about craft, design, moodboards, styling and new projects, Holly heads up our Retail & Marketing whilst overseeing all areas of the business.
Mother to her little son Aubrey, Holly loves spending time with her family and going on country walks, taking hot baths, practising yoga and travelling.
Anna
Wholesale Manager
Anna joined The Basket Room way back in 2017 when we were working out of our small office in Charlbury.
If you're one of our 150+ retailers all over the world you'll already be acquainted with Anna who is our Wholesale Manager, based at our Oxfordshire HQ.
Anna is a committed Francophile; she studied French and sociology at university and then moved to France for a few years where she met her partner. Together they have two children, and when she's not keeping busy with baskets Anna loves cooking, travelling and reading.
Peris
Production Manager - Kenya
Peris has been with The Basket Room since 2018; she’s based in Kenya where she manages basket production both in Kenya and Ghana. Her little boy Theo was born in 2020 and daughter Thelma in 2022.
Both of Peris’ grandmothers were weavers and she grew up being taught the craft by them. When a job opening came up with us, Peris was working in engineering - she has a degree in mechatronic engineering - but wanted to leave the industry. She was compelled by the thought of getting back in touch with the craft and her grandmothers’ roots - and the rest is history!
Tabz
Production Coordinator - Kenya
Tabz came on board in Spring of 2022 to cover Maternity Leave and has happily stayed on as Production Coordinator! Communicating with all our partner weaving groups Tabz ensures that our baskets are made on time and to the correct specifications. She supports the groups and helps to resolve production issues. Her favourite part of the job is spending time with the weavers in rural Kenya. She traveled to Paris in Jan 2023 to support us at Maison et Objet Trade Show.
Tabz loves to travel, read books and go hiking with her friends.
Kirstie
Wholesale Administrator
Kirstie joined The Basket Room in June 2023, and works closely with Anna, assisting with wholesale orders and admin.Kirstie grew up in Oxfordshire and met her husband whilst they were still at school together. They enjoy spending time with their friends, especially their annual Halloween parties, and any party where they have to dress up!Outside of work Kirstie is a serial reader, getting through several books a month. As a previous cake decorator, she still enjoys baking and decorating cakes with her son Freddie. And currently has another bun in the oven!
Leilah
Fulfilment & Customer Service Coordinator
Leilah joined The Basket Room in Spring 2022 and works at our HQ overseeing customer service and retail orders. She also assists on product shoots, and can be found hidden in the corner of the stock room tidying up!
During lockdown Leilah taught herself the art of acrylic nails; she then went on to study beauty therapy ofr a year and plans to start her own business one day! She loves to spend time with her family and is known to attend a festival or two!
Gina
Production Fulfilment Assistant
Gina joined the Basket Room in August of 2023, and is getting stuck in with Retail and the occasional Wholesale order. Outside of work she loves to crochet and is a serial hobby hopper; joining the team has ignited a new love for foraging and basket weaving! She is currently studying an English Literature Masters at the University of Surrey, and spends the majority of her commute to work and university catching up on her reading!
Marvin
Portait & Product Photographer - Kenya
Marvin is a fashion and product photographer based in Nairobi, Kenya. He takes pride in documenting African cultures and traditions. We have been a client of Marvin's since 2017, he describes our working partnership as "A really beautiful journey that has added value to my craft and experience as a product and campaign photographer."