Lorette Kunz – captain of coffee
You’ll spot her at every Tierlantynkies with a coffee in hand and a calm kind of chaos twinkling in her eyes. Lorette isn’t just one of the co-founders of the much-loved lifestyle festival – she’s the glue that holds it all together. With the help of caffeine, of course!
“I love a good cup of coffee. Especially during market week – when the days are long and stress levels high, we basically run on caffeine! Coffee’s always better when it’s shared, though, so I’m constantly scouting for someone to join me for a quick cuppa.”
While organising Tierlantynkies is a huge responsibility, it’s also deeply rewarding. “We work with so many incredible, creative people – it’s a privilege,” Lorette says. But this powerhouse creative has more than one passion project on her plate. Twelve years ago, she launched Muse Ladies Boutique, a fashion treasure trove that takes her to Europe every year on a less-glamorous-than-it-sounds buying trip. “It feels like a treasure hunt. I love every minute!”
At home, family is everything. “We have three children – two are married with kids – and my husband is a business owner, so we’re both busy. But we always make time for family.” Once a week, she cooks a hearty meal, and the whole clan gathers around the table. “The greatest joy in my life right now? Our four adorable grandchildren. They’re my absolute favourite people in the world!”
Naturally, she has a few favourite stalls at Tierlantynkies. “These days I spend all my money in the kiddies section. The kids’ clothing and toys are just too gorgeous! I also love buying décor – one of our vendors makes the most beautiful porcelain coffee cups. I’ve definitely started a collection!”
When asked about a goosebumps moment from the past 15 years, Lorette doesn’t hesitate. “Definitely our first market after Covid. We were so unsure if people would come. But we had record attendance. I remember walking the grounds, seeing everyone laughing, eating, shopping – just being together again. It felt like a return to normal, and it was incredibly emotional.”
After each market, Lorette admits she crashes – hard. “We’re exhausted and sleep deprived. I need some alone time and a few good nights of sleep. If we can, we try to plan a short getaway before starting on the next one.”
Behind the scenes, there’s far more to the event than meets the eye. “Few people realise the logistics and red tape,” she explains. “Security, fire plans, health and safety, engineer certificates, medical services, sound, rubble removal… And then there’s the unpredictability of load-shedding! It takes meticulous planning – and still, something unexpected always happens.”
When she’s not running markets or curating fashion, you’ll find her at her favourite spots around Pretoria. “I love Wood and Fire – their unusual flavour combinations never disappoint. I also love browsing Hazelwood Village or exploring places like 44 Stanley and Kramerville for inspiration. I avoid chain stores and malls – give me a unique little shop any day.”
She’s also a regular at local markets like Boeremark, Linden Market, and Neighbourgoods in Cape Town. “I stock up on fresh veggies, honey, and free-range lamb directly from the farmer.”
And when she’s not shopping, Lorette’s doing pottery, painting, arranging flowers for weddings, or tending to her veggie garden. “I recently started playing golf – but it’s still very challenging,” she laughs. “Oh – and at 58, I can still do the splits!”
Her ultimate guilty pleasure? “Carrot cake. Moist, nutty, and served with a great cappuccino!”
As for what’s in her Kies survival kit? “Coffee, obviously! Comfy shoes, sunblock, plasters, magnesium, immune boosters… and enough energy to last the week. I always struggle to sleep during the market – my mind just won’t switch off.”
What kept her going through the hardest season – like during the Covid cancellations? “We had already paid deposits, printed posters… then had to cancel. It was heartbreaking. We didn’t know if we’d survive. But the support and resilience of our vendors, and their faith in us, kept us going. We had to learn so many new things, from building an online store to filming videos. It was tough … but we made it.” And thank goodness they did.
Ronel Coetzer -The architect of atmosphere
The woman who makes Tierlantynkies sparkle with soul. At heart, Ronel is a romantic – someone who finds joy in beauty, celebration, and meaningful moments. It’s this joyful energy that earned her the nickname The Architect of Atmosphere – a title that captures her role at Tierlantynkies perfectly. “Tierlantynkies is the perfect place for me to celebrate the exhibitors and pause for a little joy and fun,” she says. And if you’ve ever wandered through one of the beautifully curated festivals, you’ll know just how much love and thought goes into every detail.
With an incredible eye for aesthetics and a natural instinct for what feels just right, Ronel brings warmth, creativity and cohesion to the festival spaces. “I love celebrating people and making spaces feel welcoming,” she says. “It’s about creating moments – not just good-looking décor.” Her ability to create mood and meaning has become part of Tierlantynkies’ DNA.
When she’s not shaping the look and feel of the festival, Ronel is living her creativity in other ways – whether through travel, friendships, or styling her own space. “I love spending time with friends—having fun, supporting one another, and finding ways to spark creativity together,” she shares. “To balance creativity with the admin side, I schedule time just for creative work. And I recharge by redecorating my home – I’m always reimagining spaces!”
As a regular at the event she helped build, Ronel has her own favourites. “Pottery and shoes—that’s where you’ll find me when I have a moment to spare,” she says with a smile. But more than the shopping, it’s the stories that stay with her. One of her most cherished memories involves her daughter, Megan.
“The day before Tierlantynkies kicked off, Megan—just 13 at the time—decided she wanted to sell flower crowns. She insisted a 1m by 1m stand would be perfect. She took orders non-stop and even had to rope in friends and family to help keep up with the demand. She was a natural from the start.”
After a whirlwind event, Ronel’s post-festival ritual is sacred. “Alone time and sleep!” she laughs. “It’s the only way to recover after the magic.”
But it’s not all fairy lights and flower crowns. “What people don’t always realise is that building something valuable and lasting takes time,” she reflects. “You have to stay resilient, and learn not to take yourself too seriously.” It’s a grounded reminder that the most beautiful things often come from consistency and care.
When she’s in need of inspiration or just time to unwind, it’s a road trip with curious, creative people that fills her cup. She also finds joy in visiting other markets like Kamers and the Linden Market. “I love discovering how other creatives express themselves,” she says.
If you’re wondering where her creative spark comes from—well, a love of atmosphere has always been part of her personality. “Mama Mia! was the theme for both my 40th and 50th birthday parties,” she laughs. “So I guess that says it all!”
Her inspiration sources range from the wild beauty of the West Coast and the serenity of nature to Pinterest, her friends, and of course – the brilliant Tierlantynkies exhibitors themselves. And if Tierlantynkies were a person? Ronel doesn’t hesitate: “She’s stylish, a little quirky, warm, welcoming – an Inspiration Station through and through.”
Oh, and there’s more to this atmosphere architect than you might expect at first glance. “I love Africa and enjoy wild safaris,” she adds. “One of my most unforgettable adventures was seeing the gorillas in Burundi – absolutely magical.”
From decorating dinner parties to styling large-scale events, from nurturing young creatives to curating festival experiences that feel like home – Ronel Coetzer lives and breathes creativity. And thanks to her gentle touch and joyful spirit, Tierlantynkies continues to be so much more than just a market. It’s a celebration of makers, moments… and a little bit of magic.
Evette Barnard – The chief chatter
She might jokingly call herself the “chief non-chatter,” but make no mistake – Evette is the heart and voice behind every vendor at Tierlantynkies. As the official vendor coordinator, Evette is the first line of communication between the team and the hundreds of creative small businesses who apply to trade at this much-loved market.
“I absolutely love getting to know all the stories behind the brands,” she says. “Even though I prefer working behind the scenes, I get to play a part in connecting people with something they love – and that’s really special.”
Evette joined the Tierlantynkies family in 2023, and it was an instant match. “It was simply a matter of perfect timing from both sides,” she says. “I knew straight away these were my kind of people.”
Although the festival runs twice a year for seven days, Evette says the planning never stops. “We usually take a few days off to find our homes and families again,” she laughs, “and then we start all over with placements, interviewing new vendors, planning layouts… it’s nonstop!”
A mom of two little ones, Evette values the flexibility that working for Tierlantynkies offers. “Our team meets once a week to catch up and plan, and the rest of the time we each manage our own schedules. It really allows us to keep the balance between family and festival.”
Her festival shopping habits? “I try to support as many vendors as possible. I always walk away with at least one great fashion find. Jackets are my favourite and if my husband joins, we somehow always leave with a car full of plants.”
When asked about her most memorable market moment, Evette doesn’t hesitate. “April this year was a big one. We moved to a new venue and honestly, right up until the day before gates opened, we were praying it was the right decision. And it was. It was magical. People stayed long after closing time … they didn’t want to leave. That’s when you know you’ve created something truly special for your community.”
Once the crowds are gone and the gates are locked, how does she unwind? “I stop talking… to everyone… for about a week,” she says with a smile.
Despite the joy and connection the market brings, she’s quick to dispel the idea that it’s all sunshine and craft gin. “People think it’s easy and always fun. But it takes a huge amount of work and dedication to build a market people want to return to for 15 years. There are tough conversations and decisions that go on behind the scenes to make sure Tierlantynkies stays fresh, family-focused and upmarket.”
So where does The Chief Chatter go to recharge? “We go camping as often as we can, and I love being on the water – skiing, boating, just relaxing with my family and close friends.”
As someone who lives and breathes markets, we had to ask – what’s her favourite festival to visit? “That’s like asking me which friend’s child I love more than my own!” she jokes. “Every good market has something unique. I love the vibe of The Linden Market, really admire the work KamersMakers does to uplift local business, and I always find something lekker to eat at Hazel Food Market.”
So was she always the “chatter” of the group growing up? “Well… I was one of four kids, all with strong opinions, so you had to speak up to be heard! My dad always said I could talk myself into (or out of) anything – if I was just given enough time.”
One of the things she treasures most is hearing returning visitors laugh and say “I’m back again” at the gate. “That kind of loyalty and joy is the ultimate compliment.”
And if she could teleport anywhere for a break? “I’m not fussy. As long as it’s sunny and there’s delicious food – I’m happy!”
