VIVIERS joins Milan Fashion Week for the 4th season with another physical presentation, this time endorsed by Starbucks Reserve and Camera della Moda Nazionale. “This recognition validates the power of unity in a shared commitment to sustainable Earth through responsible sourcing and craftsmanship. We’re honored to showcase South Africa’s most luxurious raw materials and craftsmanship on this global stage and amplify our message of conscious clothing to a wider audience. Thank you for believing in our vision and our belief that through unity, transformation is truly possible’”
DUALITY TO UNITY: EVOLVING TO THE CRYSTALLINE AGE
Our latest collection, ‘IN OUR ELEMENT(AL), CARBON TO CRYSTALLINE’ AW24/25 is a visual exploration of a pivotal shift in human consciousness. Imagine Earth existing in two states simultaneously: the familiar, carbon-based world we know, and a shimmering, crystalline overlay representing our potential for evolution. This collection visualizes the portal opening, inviting us to make a shift and to upgrade.
The inspiration for this collection is multifaceted. Numerologically, 2024 signifies the “Coming of Age” for VIVIERS’s artistic journey of five years, mirroring the dawning of the Age of Aquarius – an era associated with transformation and innovation. The Vesica Piscis symbol, formed by the intersection of two circles, embodies the duality we navigate on planet Earth: masculine and feminine, light and shadow. Yet, it also hints at the potential for oneness within this duality.
Moving beyond the “selfie” culture of our time, this collection emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings. We are not separate entities, but part of a collective web, woven together by the spirit of Ubuntu – the profound African philosophy of humanity.
This interconnectedness extends to the natural world; the “Element(al)s” in the title refer not only to the fundamental building blocks of matter, but also to the conscious nature spirits who inhabit Earth, more specifically also inhabitants of crystals. Recognizing their wisdom and respecting the delicate balance of our ecosystem is crucial for our collective evolution and survival.
Quartz crystals, with their ability to store and amplify energy, serve as powerful metaphors in this collection. They represent the potential for each of us to become vessels of light, radiating positive energy and contributing to the shift from DIS-EASE to EASE. Crystals act as Conduits for Transformation.
In conclusion, the poignant lyrics of “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas, reminds us to listen to the whispers of nature, to embrace empathy and understanding, and to celebrate the diversity that enriches our world.
‘IN OUR ELEMENT(AL), CARBON TO CRYSTALLINE’ AW24/25 envisions a future where we transcend our limitations and embrace our crystalline potential, by shifting into a New Golden Age, a world painted with all the colors of the wind, where unity, compassion, and respect for all beings reign supreme through LOVE. EVOLVE from a vibration of EVOL to a frequency where the compass(ion) points to LOVE.
“I have always been torn in-between the liminal lines of my inner duality; I am as masculine, as I could feel feminine, I am as colourful as I am dark. I am neither just African nor do I adhere to any global aesthetic school in art, nor a specific style in fashion. I am as deeply affected by my Scorpio moon, as I am grounded in my Taurian sun. Clothing is my medium to explore and express this inner duality; to dress is the act of balancing myself. I love mixing opposing textures; Organic, hand-spun, handcrafted, naturally dyed, natural materials are offset by my inner love for responsibly sourced, plastic and synthetics.” Lezanne Viviers.
The COLOR PALETTE AND TEXTURES of this collection are inspired by the concept of the two shifting Earths: from Carbon to Crystalline. This theme is reflected in the deep, rich, solid materials reminiscent of carbon, which dominate the darker end of the palette. They are juxtaposed with lighter, shinier colors drawn from the palette of crystals, metals and gemstones from Southern Africa.
The CHOICE OF MATERIALS is influenced by the notion of overlaying a transparent layer onto a denser one, like the metaphor of the shifting Earth. Sheer, translucent materials have been selected to overlay and partially conceal some of the more substantial materials, creating a play of revealed and concealed layers. The concept of duality is further explored through the combination of opposing material types, including responsibly sourced natural and synthetic materials placed in direct contrast to one another. This tension is also evident in the pattern cutting, where sharp, traditionally masculine tailoring contrasts with softer, organic, and natural shapes, resulting in sculptural silhouettes.
In true VIVIERS signature, reclaimed couture fabrics such as Silk Lame and Silk Nylon are combined with vintage natural fibres like Wool, Mohair, and Ostrich leather. These combinations feature subtle touches of technical materials, paying homage to the brand’s fascination with both ancient history and future possibilities.
More Like This:
2024: The Year of Earth-Healing Habits
Bob Marley: A Musical Prophet of Unity, Freedom, and Black Resilience
