Collection: ORIGINAL ROYALS

NOBILITY REQUIRES NO CROWN.

What began as a gift from Queen Victoria to King Moshoeshoe in 1860, today forms the basis of a proud cultural heritage and blanket-wearing tradition that is interwoven into the very social fabric of Basotho life, from birth, through rites of passage, and even in death. As the Basotho say in their native tongue, "Kobo ke bophelo" [trans. “The blanket is life”]. In 2014 and 2015, Unknown Union curated runway shows for the Royal Family of Lesotho and received its permission to re-purpose this national treasure into modern-day fashion. Today, our Original Royals collection incorporates symbols from these traditional blankets in celebration of King Moshoeshoe, one of the continent's great visionaries, as well as the people of Lesotho who don the rich history, art, culture and life of their nation.

Original Royals Merino Wool Mohair Drawstring Pant in Black with Red Stripe and White Graphic - Sustainably Sourced - Unknown Union_Shop

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Basotho Heritage Blankets

Kharetsa:

A Basotho blanket called Kharetsa, named after the spiral aloe which is only found in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho. The Kharetsa blanket has been cemented as one of the iconic Basotho Heritage blankets for the past ten years. The design features the strictly balanced spiral aloe prominently in the centre. It is surrounded by iconic Basotho hat and shield motifs.

Basotho Heritage Blankets

Morena:

The Morena is favoured by the Basotho people as an everyday wearing blanket. The Nkoe design was seen by the Basotho people as the stones from which they build their homes. This design has therefore become locally known as Majoe which is the Basotho word for stones.

Basotho Heritage Blankets

Motlatsi:

This woollen Basotho blanket was created to honour the birth of Crown Prince Lerotholi in 2007. The design features a collection of elaborate hearts which symbolise the love of the Basotho people for the Royal Family. The word Motlatsi means successor in title.

Basotho Heritage Blankets

Badges of the Brave:

In WWII, twenty thousand soldiers from Lesotho fought alongside British armed forces. Recognizing in their British brothers in arms the same characteristics of valor and bra very cherished by the Basotho, they returned home from the war and created a blanket that incorporated the emblems of each integrated regiment they fought in.