From Inspiration to Creation:

Inside Louise Misha

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Founded in Paris in 2012, Louise Misha began as a heartfelt dream to bring poetry and beauty to her nieces’ wardrobes. Today, it has blossomed into a global brand, celebrated for its bohemian spirit and commitment to craftsmanship. Inspired by founder Marie Pidancet’s family legacy—rooted in art, poetry, and boundless freedom—each collection tells a story of femininity, wanderlust, and thoughtful design.

Join us as we uncover the magic behind Louise Misha and its mission to celebrate beauty, sustainability, and the joy of life.

Meet
Marie Pidancet

From her inspirations to her journey as a designer and entrepreneur, Marie shares how she’s woven her passions, values, and love for craftsmanship into every detail of the brand.

1. What inspired you to start Louise Misha, and how did you come up with the brand's name?

The story of Louise Misha is closely tied to my own. Inspired by a family passionate about art and literature, I developed an insatiable curiosity and a deep desire for freedom. After completing my studies, my travels to India and China enriched my knowledge of textiles and craftsmanship. At 30, I founded Louise Misha with limited resources but a clear vision: to bring poetry to my nieces’ wardrobes and celebrate a bohemian spirit inherited from my poet grandfather and my grandmother Louise, a free-spirited, itinerant artist.

2. Louise Misha is known for its bohemian and vintage aesthetic. Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?

I find inspiration in many places: books, photographs, artworks, and museums. However, my main source of inspiration is my travels. They provide me with **colours, atmospheres, craftsmanship, shapes, and stories** that inspire our collections. In turn, these creations pay tribute to the countries I’ve visited and the cherished memories they’ve given me. There is one country in particular that inspires me: I fell in love with India at first sight when I visited for the first time 15 years ago. Since then, this country has never ceased to captivate me.

3. Sustainability and craftsmanship are increasingly important in fashion. How does Louise Misha embrace these values?

We strive to do our part for a better future. Our commitment is focused on preserving precious, often overlooked craftsmanship, supporting local development in the countries we collaborate with, respecting and empowering the people involved, and progressively using materials that help reduce our environmental impact with each new collection.

4. Can you walk us through the creative process for designing a new collection?

The creative process for a new collection always starts with a phase of inspiration, whether thematic or aesthetic. I draw from my travel memories and favourite discoveries to imagine a unique universe.
From there, we **develop a story and a selection of colours, materials, and shapes** that resonate with both the theme and our own desires, always staying free and open to our creativity. The process includes designing prints and shapes, adjusting iconic forms, picking materials and details, and finalising sizing.
Working closely with our workshops, we **test, refine, and perfect every detail** to create a collection that feels both renewed and faithful to our bohemian style.

5. What has been the most challenging part of your journey as a founder and creative director?

In the early days of the brand, I had to go door-to-door to multi-brand stores, build Louise Misha's reputation, and handle production issues... There were countless demanding matters, and at the beginning, there were just two of us on this journey.

6. What lessons have you learned as an entrepreneur that you wish you knew when you started?

One of the biggest lessons I've learned as an entrepreneur is not to be afraid to ask for help. When I started, I wasted time making mistakes because I didn’t have the right information or expertise. I wish I had known sooner how valuable it is to lean on your network and surround yourself with people who can support you. We often fear bothering others or disappointing them, but in reality, reaching out is essential. Your ideas are worth it—asking for help can help you make them thrive!

7. What has been your proudest moment since founding the brand?

I think there have been several, and fortunately so! But one that stands out is our collaboration last year with **Saheli Women**, a social enterprise focused on ethical fashion.
Their mission is to teach women traditional skills and trades, encourage their financial independence, and advocate for their rights. Our co-capsule of precious pieces, **crafted with exceptional skills, combined creativity, craftsmanship, and commitment**—three core values at LM.

8. What exciting projects or collaborations can we expect from Louise Misha in the near future?

We have several collaborations coming up, but I prefer to keep them under wraps for now—stay tuned! As for our store opening project, it’s taking a bit longer than expected, but I’m sure the wait will be worth it. We’ll share more once it’s more concrete.

9. What does a typical morning look like for you?

It's a marathon every time (laughs). I have to balance family life with work emergencies. Ideally, I start my day with a tea and, while taking care of my two kids, I check my emails to tackle the day's pressing tasks. Then, I ride my bike to the office, which gives me a moment of absolute peace to come up with new ideas.

10. Balancing a successful career and family life can be challenging. How do you manage to find time for both?

It’s a difficult balance, but certainly not impossible. I spent a lot of time observing other women entrepreneurs, and seeing them succeed gave me the energy and conviction that it was possible. But most importantly, I’m learning to listen to myself more and more, and to my two sons and my partner, to find a rhythm that works for us. Sometimes, I involve them fully because I sense they want to and it helps us bond, and other times, I make a conscious effort to disconnect, especially on weekends when I try to do nothing and feed my mind in a "passive" way, like visiting an exhibition or watching a movie. This allows me to spend quality time with them.

11. We heard you’re renovating a countryside house! Can you tell us more about this project and how it reflects your personal style? Is it inspired by Louise Misha Home collections?

Yes, indeed! To disconnect from Paris, my partner and I recently bought a country house in a village in the Luberon called “Saignon.” It’s a hilltop village with a breathtaking view of nature, a place so peaceful that it feels like time moves differently there. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to indulge in my passion for colour and tile work! I also draw a lot of inspiration from my travels: for example, I had some tiles made directly by talented artisans in Morocco. And of course, **Louise Misha’s home collection will decorate the house**: bed linens and table linens are a must-have for me!

12. What’s your favourite way to unwind after a busy day of designing and managing the brand?

I love to read. There are some books that have made a lasting impression on me, and I re-read them with pleasure: The Lover by Marguerite Duras for example. I'm also a big fan of podcasts. My favourite is The Bold Way by Adrien Garcia. I love it because it showcases inspiring entrepreneurial stories in fashion. And I also like to watch some cartoons with my kids together!

See here Marie’s answers to our Rapid Fire interview.

Discover Paris through the eyes of Marie Pidancet as she shares her favourite spots in the city.

If you enjoyed this article, you should check out our article HEJU x NOBODINOZ: Timeless Design for the Modern Families