London-born fashion designer Rene Macdonald is redefining global fashion through her brand, Lisou. Known for its eclectic and vibrant designs, Lisou stands out by seamlessly blending the best of global influences. The brand's manufacturing takes place in Portugal and Poland, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship. Sourcing fabrics from Europe, Asia, and Africa, Lisou meticulously selects the finest materials, creating collections that are as diverse and dynamic as the designer herself. With every piece, Rene Macdonald’s Lisou tells a story of international artistry and sophisticated style.
Who or what are your inspirations for creating your designs?
Every collection is inspired by different things. Some are influenced by my travels and visits to art galleries and others by simple things I see in my everyday life. Lisou at its very core is very much influenced by my mother.
Creative expression can take many forms, what made you decide to start your own fashion brand?
I felt that there wasn’t anything out there representing my own aesthetic so I started my own brand.
In your opinion, what are the most critical aspects of the fashion industry?
I’d say the most critical aspect is designing from the heart. I don’t make anything I wouldn’t wear myself. Authenticity is very important to me because the customer can always tell when things aren’t genuine. You also need an ability to learn fast, there are new developments being introduced into the industry every day. It’s critical to remain informed.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion means joy and experimentation to me. It’s great fun to play with different styles as well as being pushed out of your comfort zone. Fashion is essentially about self-expression and experimentation, it’s the first impression anyone makes of you before you even open your mouth.
What do you believe are the essential elements needed to be successful as a fashion designer?
This is a difficult question to answer as I can’t speak for everyone. Personally, I think you need an adventurous and curious spirit, tenacity and hard work. There’s also the ability to see beauty in the everyday. Being an entrepreneur certainly isn’t a 9-5 job. You have to love and commit to the necessary hours and it will impact every aspect of your life. If that’s you then go for it!
Talk to us about the collection you showed at The W Fashion Week September 2023, what inspired this collection?
The collection called ”Thirteen Months of Sunshine” is inspired by my Tanzanian and Ethiopian heritage. Ethiopians follow the Julian calendar which has 13 months rather than the 12 months of the Gregorian calendar. The sunshine print reflects the heat of both countries while the mermaid print is inspired by the coastal positioning of each land. The collection is essentially an homage to my roots as is all my work. There’s always an African element be that through print, colour or clashing prints.
What are your favourite trends?
I try not to be trend led, I simply make what I love or need in my own wardrobe. Lisou is about longevity and classic shapes that will last a lifetime. I’ve never been a trend led person, if anything I’m the antithesis of that. I want to look different from everyone else. I think we live in a world where there’s demand for all manner of aesthetics and isn’t that a wonderful thing.
Do you wear your own designs?
Everyday. How could I expect anyone else to wear my designs if I don’t believe in them? However, I do love vintage clothing so I wear a mixture of Lisou, vintage and items from female led independent designers.
How would you describe your personal style?
Bold, colourful, unique and joyous with a nod to the seventies.
What do you do to track trends and stay in touch with the current consumer?
I spend a lot of time talking to customers and to women in general. What do they need in their wardrobes? What body issues do they have and what can I do to inspire confidence? Essentially my job is finding solutions to all the issues women face with clothing. I’m here to beautify and delight.
How would you describe your brand aesthetics?
Lisou is bold, unique, happy whilst inspiring confidence. We’re known for our recognisable prints which are all designed by me, making each one unique and exclusive.
What was your biggest fear when going out and starting your own line?
In all honesty, I was somewhat naive about what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Although at this point I recognise this is something I’ve been doing since my childhood when I woke earlier than everyone else on school days to make extra pocket money. I threw myself into entrepreneurialism without fear, as my sons told me doing is better than regretting. My character is that I tend to commit myself to a project and then make it work. I also love learning so it’s very fulfilling to be constantly learning and improving. Thankfully there’s still so much to learn and create.
What is the typical design process like for your brand?
I usually start with the prints but sometimes it’s the silhouettes first. It always begins with pencil and paper. I’m very old school in that respect, I feel a deeper connection to the design working that way. The next stage is printing the textiles and testing colours. We do a lot of testing as I’m very particular about the end result being as I imagined it.
If you were not a fashion designer, what would you want to be?
I was encouraged to pursue a career in academia by my parents, which I totally understand. Being creative has much less job security. The plan initially when I finished my masters was for me to work for the United Nations as my parents did. I’ve always been interested in conflict resolution….perhaps in my next lifetime.
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
I’m a curious person by nature so it’s difficult to pinpoint one thing. I’m exploring lots of different textile techniques, mostly the work of African artisans. Whenever I travel I search out the treasures of dying skills and try to keep them alive. Last year we made coats using Welsh tapestry which is only made by a few factories in Wales.
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your own label?
I never expected it to be easy but I didn’t have any idea of the challenges ahead both internally and externally, such as the pandemic. Secondly, I think it’s important to listen to experts in your chosen field. It doesn’t mean you have to follow the advice but it’s helpful to be open to advice because no one person knows everything.
What advice would you give to young designers?
Think about why you want to start a brand. Is there anything comparable out there and what are you bringing to the table that’s different? Lastly, don’t forget that this job will take over your life so it’s essential that you love what you do. As I said earlier it’s not a 9-5 job. I describe Lisou as my third child, that’s the level of attention your own brand necessitates.
How do you choose your fabrics and where are they sourced from?
My choice of fabric depends entirely on what I’m making. Obviously summer fabrics are lighter weight than winter fabrics, although it's a big world and it’s always summer or winter somewhere. We source the best fabrics from all over the world and I constantly discover new techniques from different countries.
What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?
As fashion is so visual, I think social media, especially Instagram, is essential. The proof is in the product so it needs showcasing and Instagram works for that. It’s the way our world lives now and survival is all about adapting to change.
