A short conversation with designer Jonathan Daniel Helyar

Tell us how you started?

I studied textile design at Central St Martin’s and graduated in 1989. I had various textile design roles in London, Italy and the USA working for companies such as Laura Ashley, Marks & Spencer, Abercrombie & Fitch and Jack Wills.

When did you conceive Mondomagna?

After a move down to Somerset I was no longer able to work for any large company as I had before. I began working as a freelancer for several design studios. Most of my work was done on paper but one of these studios required the designs to be printed on silk. It was such an eye opener to start working with silk swatches instead of paper and it inspired me to start creating silk objects. The pocket square was the natural first step, and since then the pocket square has grown into the silk scarf!

What inspires your prints?

It can be anything. But I am very interested in nature and natural forms and patterns. I take a lot of photographs, so many of my ideas come from my photographic studies. Having said that, I don’t print photographic images, I always like to rework and draw something by hand, to give that artisan quality.

What is special about scarves and pocket squares?

In all my many and varied roles as a textile designer I was tasked with creating repeating patterns, something I was pretty good at. But what a change to work within a finite space. A scarf or a pocket square has an edge, a frame, a space to work within, so the whole thing becomes part of the design itself.

A scarf has a timeless appeal, you’re not going to buy a scarf thinking you’ll only want to wear it one season. It’s a little less trend driven and much more about personal expression.

Customer Reviews

Great experience Easy to buy, great selection, fantastic service - JC,UK

Fab scarf! Fab value! So pleased with my scarf which arrived today, all wrapped up in its own box! I am more than delighted with it - it is a beautiful scarf - the colours & design are lovely and the quality of the silk & the print are excellent. It is so good to have something a bit different & stylish and I am sure my friends will want to know where I found it ! It is amazing value, with an extra discount over & above the sale price at which it was offered ! Communication from the seller was fantastic & I will not hesitate to recommend this business - a good go-to site for wonderful unusual items. - Diane Stewart

The scarf arrived this morning and it’s perfect! Thank you for posting so promptly. - MG, Holyhead

Dear Mondo Magna Team, Here I am stuck in lockdown and I just received the above scarf - gorgeous fabric and lovely pattern - absolutely delighted - thank you! Day has been brightened! Cheers. - R (Sydney, Australia)

Excellent product and service. This pocket square was ordered alongside the tulip pink/blue scarf. Delivery was made the day after ordering and both scarves were well packed and beautifully presented. The quality of both is superb and we'll be sure to be wearing them when we visit the shop when next in town. This will be the first order of many. Thanks! - David, United Kingdom.

Well made socks good fit. Thank you. - AE, UK

Very honest and responsive seller A++++ - C, USA

Absolutely love this... great to do business with. - AH, UK

Absolutely delighted with this purchase! The Staffordshire spaniels are whimsical and colorful AND the scarf arrived in a pizza box! Love it! Many thanks! - MW, USA

I’m over the moon! The scarf is an art piece in itself and the service all the way from communication to the beautiful packaging was sublime. I will happily shop again! - Rosa

Vibrant colours. A successful Christmas present for my stylish daughter. A very classy beautifully soft scarf with gloriously vibrant colours. Designed and made in the UK which is an added bonus. Lovely witty packaging from a friendly company. - Helen, United Kingdom.

Exquisite design, beautifully printed and tasteful packaging. Delivered expediently. - D.M United Kingdom

Another lovely purchase, this time a most beautyful and delicate silk scarf, again a VERY happy customer. - Ulla P Copenhagen

Super fast delivery and really great customer service! Thank you, I love my mug :-) - Hattie, UK

This lovely mug arrived quickly and safely. I love the Staffordshire spaniel design which is bright and cheerful. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend. - Frances, UK

This mug has quickly become favourite for my morning coffee. I love the cheery design which is bright and vibrant and the sturdy mug washes well in the dishwasher. Thank you MondoMagna I will be keeping an eye on your shop page. - Frances, UK

Love it! Another beautiful pocket square for my collection. Fabulous design and well made.Thank you MondoMagna. - Clifford M. from United Kingdom

Beautiful scarf. This scarf is stunning. The photos don't really do it justice as the colours are more vivid - a really original work of art! - Hattie C.

Gift purchase.  My husband likes the pocket square. - Colleen R. from United States

Lovely Present. I bought this lovely scarf for a dear friend and she is delighted with it. The order process was easy and delivery very prompt. I will certainly order again from this site. - Clifford M. from United Kingdom

I am in love! Having turned 50 and going grey I was in need of a colour injection. I googled ‘pink and blue silk scarf’ and that’s how I discovered Mondomagna and I am ‘head over heels’

I am wearing my Tulip Spot scarf in blue/pink/red today for the first time. It looks and feels fabulous and as a result I feel fabulous too.I have no doubt that this will not be my last Mondomagna scarf. They are truly beautiful and thankfully affordable too. - J. Gibbs, London

A chiffon scarf never fails to delight. I am utterly in love with all my scarves, I have quite a few. I've started a collection as they are worthy to be collected. They make exquisite gifts for friends. Superb prints, superb colours, superb quality. They are sexy and stylish but at the same time delicate and feminine almost fragile. Everyone should treat themselves to a MondoMagna chiffon scarf......or two........possibly three! It's the perfect indulgence. – Laura, North London

Modern (Scarf) Love! Received this beautiful scarf a little while ago...ultra modern, stunning colours and wow...so many compliments. – Charlotte Menegaldo

Pretty in Pink! Just received this absolutely fabulous, luxurious silk-chiffon scarf...true to the photographs and beyond. Exquisite design and soft, pretty colours - simply a must have!! Gonna really enjoy it...– Charlotte Forster

Love it. LOVE my pocket square : great design and colours, always cuts a dash – J COOPER

Most Impressed! My first purchase from Mondomagna, looks even better in real life than it does on the screen! – Christine Helyar

Bought as a gift for my brother who has impeccable style and he absolutely loved it. Also it arrived so quickly - the next day I think!Thanks so much :) - Georgina

Turned up in mint condition and beautifully packed - T.H. Gloucester UK

I just wanted to say that I've received your silk scarf, and it's absolutely beautiful. I would not hesitate in recommending your site, because your silk scarves are amazing.- P.F. High Wycombe UK

Thank-you very much, the scarf is exquisite. The silk feels really luxurious and the colours are so vivid and beautiful. - J.G. Cornwall UK

I am very happy indeed with my MondoMagna pocket square. I have mostly purchased my pocket squares from Kiton and Etro in the past, but now that I have learned about – and experienced your designs, as well the terrific quality, I have a new pocket square provider of record going forward. - J.A. Toronto, Canada

I am extremely pleased with the Lewis pocket square I bought from MondoMagna. Stylish, well made and quick delivery. A cracking bit of kit! - W.D. Colchester UK

I am thrilled with my pocket handkerchief, it is stunning & beautifully finished. I was spoiled for choice as there were so many great designs. Thank you! - J.A. Manchester UK

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Super fine silk, hand finished and gorgeous. Really fast delivery too :) - J.W. London UK

Fabulous pocket square which arrived really quickly and beautifully packaged. - E.C. London UK Beautiful silk pocket squares arrived today - so quick from UK to Australia! - R.D. Australia