Weaving Heritage Into Every Stitch- with Rene Moshi Macdonald
I can still picture it vividly—my mother standing in front of the mirror, putting the final touches on an outfit she’d made herself. She was always glamorous, always poised, even while balancing an incredibly demanding job at the United Nations. Watching her sew beautiful garments late into the night left an indelible mark on me. It wasn’t just about the clothes, but the way she carried herself; a perfect blend of strength and elegance. She taught me that nothing was impossible and her influence runs like a golden thread through Lisou. In fact, she’s the muse behind the brand. One of our prints this season even features her portrait, a tribute to the incredible woman who inspired me to dream big and follow my passion for fashion. I like to believe Lisou would make her proud.
“Every Lisou print has a story woven into its fabric.”
The journey to creating Lisou began from a place of frustration. I could never find clothes that captured the vibrant energy I grew up with in Africa. Our high streets are alive with a riot of colours, prints and patterns, each with its own story. That joy and meaning were missing from the fashion landscape and I felt compelled to change that. As a textile designer, every Lisou print has a story woven into its fabric. Sometimes the narrative is bold and in your face, other times, it’s a hidden message waiting to be discovered. The most magical moments are hearing how people interpret these prints, each seeing something that connects to their own story.
Starting a fashion label without formal training was daunting, and it’s fair to say the journey was far from linear! I had experience as a freelance stylist, which helped, but bringing a brand to life from scratch was a whole new ball game. Thankfully, I had my husband by my side. He’s a seasoned music entrepreneur and his business acumen was a guiding light. Now, we work together, which is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. I spent a year carving out Lisou’s philosophy and foundational principles from a small desk in the corner of his record company – making mistakes, learning and slowly piecing together a vision. It wasn’t glamorous, but having a clear USP and DNA from the outset made all the difference. We stood out because no one else was doing what we were.
“The recognition also brought Lisou into the spotlight, giving us the kind of exposure that independent brands often only dream of.”
Winning the Fashion Brand of the Year award from W Magazine in 2023 felt surreal. We’re a small, independent brand, fuelled by passion and hard work, without any external funding. That award wasn’t just for me; it was a celebration for the whole team. We’ve poured so much into every collection, and it was a powerful reminder that perseverance pays off. The recognition also brought Lisou into the spotlight, giving us the kind of exposure that independent brands often only dream of. But there’s no resting on our laurels – we’re driven to keep evolving, innovating and pushing the boundaries.
One collaboration that still makes me pinch myself is our partnership with the V&A Museum. It coincided with the Naomi Campbell exhibition and celebrated independent African and Black British brands. The V&A was intrigued by our dedication to sustainability, particularly how we use offcuts to create accessories. Knowing that our designs were part of such a prestigious exhibition felt deeply personal. My father came to London from Tanzania as a scholarship student at Imperial College, just around the corner from the museum. It felt like a full-circle moment, connecting the past with the present.
“Speaking of sustainability, it’s woven into the very fabric of Lisou. We strive for zero waste with our silk materials and are working towards that goal with all our fabrics.”
Speaking of sustainability, it’s woven into the very fabric of Lisou. We strive for zero waste with our silk materials and are working towards that goal with all our fabrics. It’s become a fun challenge for the team to come up with creative ways to use every scrap. This holiday season, they’ve outdone themselves with some incredible new upcycled products. We also carefully choose fabrics that are both sustainable and biodegradable. Our latest venture? Puffer coats made from 100% recycled polyester. I can’t wait to share them with the world, knowing that every piece contributes to a more responsible fashion future.
Diversity in fashion is a cause close to my heart. The industry still has work to do, and there are so many talented, under-represented designers waiting for their moment. Africa, in particular, is a wellspring of creativity, with a legacy of influence that goes back centuries. I’m hopeful that organisations like the Fashion Minority Alliance will continue to create opportunities and foster change. In the meantime, I’m doing my part, not just through Lisou’s ethos but also by being visible and creating space for others. We need real, lasting transformation, and while progress is slow, every step counts.
One of my favourite moments was seeing a Lisou trench and matching hat featured on Emily in Paris. I’ll admit, I’ve signed so many NDAs that I can’t share too many details, but the impact was incredible. Those pieces sold out faster than I could’ve imagined, and we’ve even started taking pre-orders to keep up with the demand. It was surreal watching Emily in Paris at the studio with my team, all of us marvelling at our designs on screen. These moments are life-changing for independent brands like Lisou, and they give us so much to celebrate.
To female entrepreneurs who feel like outsiders, I say: ask for help and don’t pretend to know it all. Being honest about your knowledge gaps is a strength, not a weakness. Listen to experts in their fields, take what resonates, and don’t be afraid to join communities like Buy Women Built. Entrepreneurship is rarely easy; it’s a journey filled with obstacles, but overcoming them builds resilience. Lean into your identity, even when it feels like a challenge, and remember that your uniqueness is your greatest asset.
“To female entrepreneurs who feel like outsiders, I say: ask for help and don’t pretend to know it all.”
Looking ahead, I’m thrilled about our upcoming collection, Empire – Weaving The Words We Cannot Speak. When we received the samples, our studio was buzzing with excitement. I have a few other projects up my sleeve, but like everything in fashion, some secrets are meant to be revealed in time. As for my legacy, I’m leaving that question open-ended. For now, I’m savouring each chapter of Lisou’s story, believing that the best is yet to come.
INTERVIEW BY OLIVIA MAROCCO – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – BRAND YOU MAGAZINE
Article published in Brand You Magazine – Edition 34
Rene Moshi Macdonald – founder of LISOU London
Rene Moshi Macdonald founded Lisou out of necessity. It was a company designed to fill a gap in the market that previously didn’t exist. Unenthesed by an endless carousel of fabrics in greys and browns, and bored with one party too many in a little black dress, Lisou’s London-living founder Rene Moshi Macdonald decided to bring some of the vibrant colour clashes of her homeland Tanzania: injecting fun and joy into the wardrobe of women with her hand drawn, colourful designs!
Website: lisou.co.uk
Instagram: @lisoulondon
