n the leafy Johannesburg suburb
of Parkview, a three-level, 3 480m
property has been transformed into
a monument to Mid-Century Modern
design by its new owner, Lezanne Viviers.
Just six months after completing the
renovation of her Hyde Park apartment,
the former creative director decided to
move into the abode, which was designed
by German architectural firm Osmond and
De Kock and built in 1960. But the property
isn’t just Viviers’ new home: it’s her flagship
space Lotus House, from where Viviers has
launched her eponymous fashion label.
Included in the property is a collaborative
working studio section, a concept store
offering a selection of rare finds, a gallery
of contemporary local art, a garden for
Japanese tea ceremonies and an atelier for
fittings. There’s even talk of establishing
an artist-in-residency programme.
Drawing on her fashion experience
working with designer Marianne Fassler,
as well as her knowledge of the arts, Viviers
says she wants Lotus House to be a meeting
ground for creative people from different
backgrounds. The gallery, for example, will
be a ‘nice, accessible place to bridge the gap
between the stereotypical old-fashioned
art world and the streets,’ Viviers says.
Downstairs, we’re greeted by German-
born milliner Lena Heinrich of Studio
Lennie, who collaborated with Viviers
on their first hat range as part of the
Viviers collection. Included in the home’s
lower level is the Viviers fitting room,
workshop studio and concept store
stocking limited-edition garments, custom
outfits, handmade Japanese paper and
ceramics. Here, artisans are sewing and
cutting patterns and fabrics, while bright
clothing in various stages of readiness
seems to jostle for rail and counter space.
‘Viviers focuses on the senses and
paradoxes – the masculine femininity
of the pieces is as sophisticated as it is
rebellious,’ Viviers says. ‘If something is
really beautiful, I want to make it ugly. If it’s
ugly, I want to add something like a petal.’I
THIS SPREAD, CLOCKWISE
FROM OPPOSITE PAGE
Lezanne Viviers in Lotus House; the space
features an array of artistic elements, such
as ‘Smile I and Smile II’ by Georgina Gratrix
(left), ‘More More More’ (2018) by Jody
Paulsen (right) and ceramics by Walter
Hislop; handwoven items for sale at Lotus
House concept store include wool and
cotton throws by Maddelein Anderson and
Abebe Nigerian fans; part of the Viviers
Autumn/Winter 2019 Unfolded collection.