Lezanne Viviers’ debut showcase at Milan Fashion Week takes shape as etheric, galactic visual dream-scape birthed from collaboration – and drawn from a Pleiadean message that was channelled by Barbara Marciniak in the late 1980’s. “Like a priceless jewel, buried in dark layers of soil and stone, earth radiates with brilliant beauty into the cavern of space and time.” On this Lezanne says, “To me, ‘Kaleidoscopic’ is a reminder of who we are. It is a reminder that we are the crystals viewed from afar; a combined jewelled and energised rock, that leaks beauty through the void of space and of endless possibilities.”
Kaleidoscopic is, as said, a study of light – in this case, a distillation of the illuminating light with which Lezanne and her team prove to yield; with each show or collection, brighter and brighter. Viviers Studio reaches into the crevices of my own sartorially-stained heart; excavating the very reason I have sought the most joy, sorrow, fascination and contemplation with this art form – clothing is a wildly intimate vehicle; Viviers are master drivers. Clothing – skin – energy – the future and higher-dimensions; all these threads are woven into Kaleidoscopic, channelled through Lezanne’s own inner-awakening – the notes themselves referencing Plato’s Cave, one of humanity’s earliest musings that things are not quite as they seem. There is more – deeper – broader than the limitations of our five senses. This showcase strikes at the heart of extra-sensory perception – utilising the scope of artforms employed in contemporary fashion from photography, set design, film – hair & makeup – styling – weaving together a startling collaborative jewel in the crown of South Africa’s design lexicon in 2022.
The press notes offer a ritualised amalgamation of design as an ode to earth;
“The palette and textures of the collection is quite literally inspired by dark layers of soil, soft sand, liquid metals and rough crystal jewels, found amidst chalky layers of sediment. Through the use of crystal colours like amethyst, rose-quartz, jade and emerald green, juxtaposed with metallic coppers, silvers and golds, we combined them with earthy desert sands and dark lava rocks.
Soft silks and lames are contrasted with futuristic dead-stock pleathers and combined with reworked natural wools and cottons. ‘Kaleidoscopic,’ represents key VIVIERS signature looks. Japanese inspired forms and shapes, that allows the brand to minimise textile waste in the cutting process, as evident in the jumpsuits and distilled silhouettes of pants, make up the underlying silhouettes of the collection.
Diverse, unique statement dresses, created by re-using off-cut fabrics, original photographic artworks of crystals, printed onto dead-stock base fabrics and trans seasonal and inclusive staples, like VIVIERS’s updated summer trench coats, are all aimed to build a wardrobe of heirloom acquisitions, the heirlooms of the future.”
I like to think Franca (the late, great Sozzani) is having an unseen, ancestral hand in this slowly and beautifully growing relationship between Milan Fashion Week & Vogue Italia, with our contemporary luxury designers in South Africa. Planetary consciousness is One, after all.
KALEIDOSCOPIC
/kəˈlʌɪdəskəʊp/
Words by Lezanne Viviers
“the observation of beautiful forms
a study of light
LIKE A PRICELESS JEWEL, BURIED IN DARK
LAYERS OF SOIL AND STONE, EARTH RADIATES WITH BRILLIANT BEAUTY INTO
THE CAVERN OF SPACE AND TIME.
crystalline wands
stalagmite treasures form
prismatic memories
in the allegory of the cave
facets flicker reflections of sunlight
crystal batteries, moon charged at night
the observation of our subtle bodies
a study of our light
LIKE A PRICELESS JEWEL, BURIED IN DARK
LAYERS OF SOIL AND STONE, EARTH RADIATES WITH BRILLIANT BEAUTY INTO
THE CAVERN OF SPACE AND TIME.
saltwater currents
inverters convert
salt of the earth
emerge in a bit
stone circle messages
cymatics, salt crystalline
megalithic magic
amplified energy serene
the examination of transient patterns
a study of fragments of light”
The images featured in this article is the campaign editorial shot by Michael Oliver Love.
KALEIDOSCOPIC RUNWAY & LOOK BOOK CREDITS
Creative Direction
Lezanne Viviers @lezanneviviers
Photography
Look Book Editorial – Michael Oliver Love @michaeloliverlove
E-commerce – Donovan Marais @vanthephotographerman
Art Fair & Exhibition – Shann Daniels @shann.daniels
Stylist
Chloe Welgemoed @chloeandreawelgemoed
Assisted by Chiara Galvani @lachiaofficial and Zaan Assam @zaani_14
Makeup
Tamaryn van Tonder @tamarynvantonder
Roben Bezuidenhout @RobenBezuidenhout
Naazi Laher. @naazilaher_
Rachael Darne @radar.mua
Zeenat @zeenat__mua
Lesego Mokgara @__sego.m
Hair
Saadique Ryklief @saadique
Shafia Cassiem Haffejee @shafiahaffejee_hairstylist
Irene da Fonseca @irene_thetexpert
Memory Bhebhe @memory_bhebhe
Video
Thulani Sejo @thulanisejo
Editor: Kaykay Ribane @kaykayribane
Camera Assistant: Thato Sejo @thatosejo
VFX: @brizlemtho
Viviers Team
Liso Ceza @lisoceza
Abi Bezuidenhoudt @abibez_xoxo
Cebo Mtshemla @cebomtshemla
Ameerah Moola @ac.idtab
Lyra Mogonediwa @lyra.official_
Volunteers
Keketso Samela @smashy__xza
Sherazaan Assam @zaani_14
Ozzi [email protected]
Sazi @000000god000000
Phoebe von Brughan @phoebevonbrughan
Models
Seren Koekemoer @serenmichaela
Tevin Malu @tevin_malu
Christopher Van Zyl @c.j_vanzyl
Nemo @gomo_nemo
Nene @omg.ms.nene
Kagiso @Kagiso_s_
Kim Huysamer @kimhuysamer
Michaela Reisinger @mikkie.mixx
Zama Mtshemla @zamamtshemla
Senamiso Nolovu @senamiso._
Elnino Matthew @evolvingelnino
Riley Coltman @rileycoltman
Siphelele Sisonke Veti @usisonke
Ashley- Jane @babbyyyash
Rae Mdeza @RaeMdeza
Crystal Lyris @crystal.lyris
Tshepang Sekokope @tushpang
Lesedi Seleke @Sedi22000
Hannah-Leila Fared, @leilafarred
Julian De Jonge @just_julian.x
Thembelihle Mdletshe @elhil medusa
Kiron Kombos @kiron kombos
Caley nkosi @caley.nkosi
Bella Ntsube @bella_badhabit
Malaika Nkosi
Sydney Masilela @sydneymasilela
Dominique Cheminais @domini_chem
Nash @nashgrey_
Christi Steyn @christi.steyn
Written By: Holly Bell Beaton
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