“‘KARROO, Land of Thirst,’ is inspired by the surreal beauty of the magical landscape that reveals itself through this scorched land, as I leave the challenges of the city, a metaphor for global Climate Change, behind me. Upon my return, I am charged with new vibrance, an inner silence and a cosy, warm optimism,” – Lezanne Viviers.

A great moment for local design: VIVIERS, a conceptual South African brand by Lezanne Viviers presented its sustainable, yarn focused Fall/Winter 2023 collection at Milan Fashion Week. 

We were there to celebrate! Rosé Cuvée Brut 2021 was popped in honour at the show to quench the thirst of the models, designers and audience. Which is fitting when you consider the title of the show… 

‘KARROO, “LAND OF THIRST’ is lensed through a series of landscape photos, taken on Lezanne’s road trips through South Africa. The Karoo landscapes were developed into surrealistic artworks. Merging the collection’s themes of arid landscapes and cosmic horizons with beauty and light, which has been referenced in previous collections.

These images are incorporated into unique VIVIERS artworks that are printed on a variety of natural and Deadstock fabrics and are further explored as a reference to develop artisanal textiles and ultimately inspire the total mood of the collection. 

“The collection is an exploration of the changing landscapes of South Africa, framed through our abundance of raw materials and beauty,” says Lezanne. KARROO, ‘Land of Thirst,’ acts as an ode to Lezanne’s parents for teaching for influencing her conscious approach to living.

“They taught me how to have respect for things, how to re-use things, how to take care of things and how-to re-cycle. These tools became key creative tools in my subconscious being,” shares Lezanne.

“The ‘Karroo’, or ‘Land of Thirst’ in the traditional Khoi-San language, refers to a very large part of sub-Saharan desert in South Africa. “What I find most fascinating about the arid scorched Karoo, is the irony; most of our warm, cosy and luxurious raw materials - mohair, wool, ostrich feathers and leather - that come from the barrenness of this land of thirst.”

A celebration of the intricate work that local craftspeople put into their crafts, at its core ‘KARROO, Land of Thirst’ aligns with our ethos in the craft of making of Vintage-only Cap Classique.  

The show was set to an original score composed by Alessandro Gigli in collaboration with Lezanne Viviers, titled: Karoo Land of Thirst. 

Lezanne Viviers is a Johannesburg-based clothing designer and artist and the founder and creative director of VIVIERS, a conscious, handcrafted clothing brand. Before founding VIVIERS in 2019, Lezanne matriculated from PJ Oliver Art School in Stellenbosch, where she majored in sculpture. After graduating from the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design in 2010, she worked with Marianne Fassler, becoming Creative Director for the brand from 2015-2018. Born in Cape Town, Lezanne exchanged the natural splendour of the Cape, for the cultural melting pot of Johannesburg, the city of Gold, where she moved in 2011.