Kaross is an embroidery initiative started in 1989 with five Shangaan embroiders and Irma van Rooyen, a visual artist, as creative director and founder. Sitting on a kaross (blanket) the ladies started creating works of art unique to themselves and their cultural background.

The objective was to create pieces of excellent quality, and a fresh approach to handwork. Over the past 20 years Kaross has become the voice of 1000+ Shangaan people and their communities in the Letsitele/Giyani area of the Limpopo Province.

Kaross is re-writing a culture by exploring its heritage and re-applying it to modern, marketable products and artworks. Kaross’s incentive is to create jobs and opportunities for mainly rural woman to make a living by being creative within the realm of their own traditional background.

The production process also allows the embroiderers, who are mostly women, to work from home. The job-creation and upliftment aspects of the project remain a driving force and are key to all developmental and business decisions in Kaross.

Kaross creates tableware, homeware, art pieces, wall hangings, bed linen and fashion accessories, Every piece is 100% handmade