When a business blooms
FROM LOCAL ROOTS TO GLOBAL REACH
M.M Linen is a success story that, in true Kiwi fashion, has humbly flown under the radar. It has done the hard yards, breaking new ground internationally and working on producing some of the best bed linen, floral textiles, and homewares for retailers across New Zealand and globally. It really is ‘the fabric of beautiful living’, as their slogan states.
You could say M.M Linen’s Kerry Jackson is more than equipped for the job. With a background in buying for some of the more notable home retailers in New Zealand, she has travelled the world, buying from Italy, Portugal, France, and Asia.
Back in 2012, Kerry had just turned fifty, had recently been married with a young child at home, and a relocation of her role meant heading out on her own. Joining forces with an overseas industry contact meant M.M Linen, fortunately, started with a global reach. The initial ranges were designed for New Zealand department stores – she credits a connection with McKenzie & Willis and Ballantynes as instrumental in creating these formative collections.
Cut to the present day, where M.M Linen is stocked in over 250 Australasian stores, including retail powerhouse Myer. The United Kingdom’s John Lewis boasts M.M Linen as one of their top-selling linen brands within a year of launch in-store, and recent forays into Marks and Spencer and Next are tracking well. A strong presence in the UAE and South Africa has meant the brand is very much on the map. After presenting at Market Week in New York, the brand was quickly picked up by over 150 stores there. Showing in the prestigious brand hall of the Heimtex Fair in Germany in January 2022 will undoubtedly see them increase their global presence.
The past decade has been peppered with milestones for the brand, and the entire M.M Linen team, who have just released their 18th seasonal collection. Their designers are based around the world – from Israel, the UK, Australia, and Aotearoa. M.M Linen’s strengths lie in these creatives, who work from scratch from Kerry’s briefs designing artworks that are truly unique. Each collection has around eight signature prints mixed with solid colours in a range of fabrics.
The move to open a flagship store two years ago in Westfield Newmarket was significant for the brand, according to Kerry, as “we have never stood on our own.” And whilst the store is very successful and has been embraced by an Auckland audience, Kerry also acknowledges their connection to strong rural roots.
“Some of our rural customers have been with us since inception. I think it’s because our linens invoke the feeling of bringing the outdoors in. It’s for those people who love florals, colour, natural fabrics, and layering.”
Kerry moved to Canterbury 30 years ago. She’s long considered herself a passionate Cantabrian. In fact, a large part of the reason she started M.M Linen was to stay grounded here in Ōtautahi. It was only natural for her to work towards opening an M.M Linen store here, which will be in the renovated old ‘Hands’ building on 5 Normans Road and opening in early August. This ideal destination location will be combined with their head office. It’ll be in good company, alongside other boutique home and fashion stores in Elmwood.
The store’s opening is a fitting celebration of a decade of growth and creativity. It acknowledges that when the opportunity presents itself, even later in life, to take the plunge and go with your instincts as Kerry has done.
“We have managed to create a signature style that is ‘us’, and are so fortunate to have global support, alongside the support of New Zealand”.