About
Hi, I’m Karen O’Brien, owner of Vivienne Cate.
Starting a shop was an absolute dream of mine, but it wasn’t possible during the 15 years I spent living on a cattle station in the Kimberly with my husband and four children.
We lived on a million acres of rugged landscape, a place home to crocs, wild storms, relentless heat and snakes. Everywhere.
It’d never been my intention to live in such a remote environment, but I met a lovely man while on holiday, fell in love, and that was that. For 15 years, we raised babies and survived the brutal heat (did I mention the snakes?).
We wanted our kids to have good education, and that just wasn’t possible where we were. So we moved south to get the kids into good schools. Seven different people recommended a town called Yackandandah. It had everything on my list: mountains, music, culture, good schools.
And so, in our late 40s, we quit our jobs and stuck our four kids and the family dog in the camper trailer, and drove south to North East Victoria.
It was chance that led me to my main street store in the heart of Yackandandah.
I was browsing the antique shop that used to be in that space, and I casually said to the owner, “You’re not thinking of renting this place out, are you?” And low and behold, she was.
My shop is my great passion. Everything is handpicked by me and I only buy what I love.
I’m especially passionate about small and regional artists, and I take great pride in scouting talented milliners, leather workers, ceramicists and jewellery makers.
I’d describe my taste as modern-city meets a touch of rustic country – so somewhere between earthy and elegant. I sell lots of natural fibers, neutral colours, beautiful items for the home, leather cowhides and other high quality leather products.
Thank you for visiting my website. I hope you enjoy browsing and if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.