The Juniper Hearth story

At Juniper Hearth, you will find that special something you won’t find everywhere else!

Létol made in France organic cotton ethically made jacquard scarves, available exclusively from Juniper Hearty, Berry South Coast NSW. Pile of colourful rolled scarves on bench in garden.

Beautifully made, slow fashion natural fibre clothing and accessories, eclectic homewares and gifts from Australia and around the world - a little department store of loveliness.

Ethically made natural fibre slow fashion clothing, showing a selection of natural and indigo dyed slow fashion from Maku Textiles.

What's a "juniper hearth"?

In Nepal, the branches of the juniper plant are dried and burned in traditional daily blessing ceremonies, and in puja (prayer ceremonies), for cleansing and to bring good fortune. Many homes have a small stone hearth upon which the blessing is made each morning.

The hearth (with its western associations also of home and safe harbour) and the association of the fragrance of juniper with blessing and invoking calm were an inspired choice for a store that seeks to be a haven for lovers of the artisan made, whilst honouring its foundations in Nepal.

For the love of textiles

Juniper Hearth was born from a passion for textiles. Noreen Giles began designing and importing beautiful, colourful handknits from Nepal in the 1990s, working closely with local craftswomen to produce a stunning range of knitwear that found an enthusiastic following in Australian boutiques. Wool felt accessories and fine scarves were soon added to the label, and Juniper Hearth evolved into the Berry boutique, first opening its doors in 2002.

A life's work

I was privileged to be entrusted in 2016 to continue the Juniper Hearth story. Just like Noreen before me I have a lifelong love of textiles, travel and colour, art and making. I am thrilled to now make that passion my life's work.

Working with artisans

Artisan made natural fibre clothing, handloom cotton dress from Dve Collection, available at Juniper Hearth, Berry South Coast NSW

Continuing to build upon well-established traditions, I am working with and supporting the skilled craftswomen and designers in India and Nepal in their textile making, as well as travelling and searching far and wide for unique fashion and accessories, and other treasures to share with you all in the much-loved destination that is Juniper Hearth.

Depicting owner of Juniper Hearth, Catherine Bollen, with esteemed Indian designer Neeru Kumar at her showroom in Gurgaon, India, along with Neeru Kumar staff. Available exclusively at Juniper Hearth, Berry South Coast NSW.

We are the sole stockists of esteemed Indian designer Neeru Kumar in Australia, and sister brands Raga and Yavï, and also offer beautiful artisan made fashion from Dve Collection, Runaway Bicycle, Maku and Excess, as well as our own Juniper Hearth designs.

Owner of Juniper Hearth, Catherine Bollen, shown with the baby yak girls, makers of Juniper Hearth's exclusive range of baby yak wool knitwear and accessories, ethically made in Nepal.

Baby yak knitwear from Nepal is a Juniper Hearth tradition - our "baby yak girls" offer a stunning range of ponchos, sweaters, cardigans and throws in this luxurious fibre, and we also produce our own range of cashmere knits.

Supporting Australian designers

I am also very proud to represent Australian designed fashion labels Elk and Nancybird, and Australian designed and made Valia, Banana Blue and Kimberley Tonkin the Label, each bringing their own eclectic vision to match our own, providing layers of beauty and colour to share.

Come with me on the textile journey!

Catherine Bollen