Louise Misha & Saheli Women

story
Written By Camille Gressier

Join us for an inspiring chat with Marie Pidancet, the creative force behind Louise Misha. In this special interview, Marie opens up about the brand’s new co-capsule collection and its profound partnership with Saheli Women. More than just fashion, this collaboration showcases traditional artisanal skills, natural dyes, and the shared mission of empowering women. Discover how Louise Misha champions human stories and celebrates the unique beauty of handmade creations, making every piece a symbol of joy and purpose.

Hello Marie, how are you? Can you tell us a bit about yourself, who you are, where you’re based, and what you do? 
I’m doing great, thank you! My name is Marie, and I have two sons: Eziah, who’s 3, and Samuel, who’s 12. I’m also the founder of the brand Louise Misha. I grew up just outside Paris, in a family with a strong love for literature and a deep appreciation for all kinds of culture—whether it was theater, painting, or anything in between. That environment really sparked my curiosity and helped it grow.
Today, I live in Paris, in the Aligre Market neighborhood. Thirteen years ago, after spending several years working as a fashion designer in ready-to-wear, I felt a deep need to express myself freely by creating my own universe. My desire to bring a sense of poetry to my nieces’ wardrobes naturally led me to start with children’s fashion.
I named the brand Louise in honor of my great-grandmother, who truly embodies the bohemian soul of Louise Misha. She was a traveling theater artist who lived across the world—from Russia to Egypt to England—following her art, her passions, and her loves. A free-spirited, daring, and deeply inspiring woman whose name became the heart and soul of the brand.
Today, Louise Misha is a fashion and homeware brand for women and children. Based in a beautiful house in Montreuil, our team of 40—alongside my childhood friend and business partner Claire Moulin—continues to grow the brand through a worldwide network of retailers and our online store.

What was the inspiration behind this new Louise Misha co-capsule collection?
Through this capsule collection, I wanted to highlight the incredible craftsmanship of the Saheli Women atelier. It showcases five traditional techniques: natural dyeing, block printing, handloom weaving, dip dye, and hand embroidery. My goal was to create pieces that spark joy—through bold prints, vibrant colors, and flowing silhouettes that invite movement and freedom. The word “Saheli” means “friend” in Hindi, and with this capsule, I wanted to celebrate sisterhood—a spirit we sought to capture in the imagery of the campaign.

What made you decide to partner with Saheli Women for it?
The Saheli Women atelier is a social enterprise founded by Madhu Vaishnav in Rajasthan. Its mission is not only to teach women traditional crafts and skills, but above all, to empower them financially and to advocate for their rights. Her work resonates deeply with Louise Misha. One of our core values is to honor craftsmanship and human stories—both near and far—by placing solidarity and mutual support at the heart of our growth. India holds a very special place in my heart—it’s my “soul country.” So it felt completely natural to be drawn to this vibrant, colorful atelier full of life and colors.

You’ve spoken about being really drawn to the workshop founded by Madhu. What was it about Saheli Women’s work and their mission that truly resonated with you and the Louise Misha brand?
We share a deep passion with Saheli Women: a love for craftsmanship. Each piece in this capsule is one of a kind, handcrafted using exceptional techniques—hand embroidery, artisanal weaving, natural dyeing, block printing, and dip dye. Every piece, with its subtle irregularities, celebrates the poetry and beauty of handmade work.

This collaboration really showcases a beautiful range of Indian craftsmanship, including hand embroidery, weaving, natural dyeing, block printing, and dip dyeing. Which of these techniques were you most excited to explore and incorporate into this collection?
Without a doubt, natural dyeing and dip dyeing are my favorite. I’m fascinated by everything that can be created using flowers, spices, or even roots. Our Rukiyana silk dress is dyed with natural indigo, and then the hem is hand-dipped in a dye made from marigold flowers. These marigolds are simply picked from the garden that surrounds the atelier. The blend of bright marigold yellow and deep indigo blue creates a rich, vibrant green: a shade that only natural dyeing can bring to life.

Can you talk about the decision to incorporate natural dyes, and what makes this process special for you?
I’ve always loved irregularity and all things handmade. Natural dyeing gives texture and soul to a piece, it makes it truly one of a kind. To me, it’s a deeply poetic way of creating clothing. There’s a connection to nature that adds even more meaning to the story behind each garment. And of course, it’s a process that respects both the earth and the people who bring these pieces to life.

The images show such a beautiful palette of colors in this collection. How did you approach the color selection for these pieces, especially considering the different techniques used?
It’s very instinctive for me! I absolutely love pink and yellow. I don’t think there’s ever been a Louise Misha collection without these two colors. It’s really important to me that our pieces bring joy. For me, color is the best way to add a little magic to everyday life!

The collection seems to truly celebrate the unique beauty that comes with handmade items, highlighting their poetry and preciousness. How vital is it for Louise Misha to champion and preserve these traditional artisanal skills?
This co-creation gives us a special opportunity to really highlight traditional crafts. Handmade work takes a lot of time. Outside of this special capsule, in our main collection, I try to include as many handcrafted pieces as possible—such as fully handmade crochet items and hand embroidery—but we can’t afford to do as much handwork as we’d like due to the time involved and the sustainability of a company with 40 employees.
I like to think of this capsule as my little treasure, celebrating the beauty of detail, patience, and uniqueness. Each piece is one of a kind and has its own story to tell.

Saheli Women is dedicated to empowering women through skills and financial independence. How does this mission connect with Louise Misha’s own commitment to supporting women’s emancipation in the countries you work with?
Louise Misha is a story about women. The brand grows richer with the voices of all those who imagine it, create it, and wear it. So it’s only natural that we want to support women-led initiatives.
Saheli Women’s mission is to empower women to become financially independent. They also fund a bus that transports all the children to school from a remote part of Rajasthan. Most of the women working in the atelier can’t read or write—but now they can give their children the chance to get an education. They’re even able to bring their young children with them if childcare isn’t available. Finally, the atelier supports the only small medical clinic in the area.

The campaign for this collection is inspired by the word Saheli, meaning friend. Can you share how this theme of female connection and friendship is woven into the designs or the overall spirit of the collection?
This theme runs throughout everything—from the creation of each piece to the campaign itself. Every item is the result of skill and hard work by a group of women supporting each other in a joyful, collaborative atelier. We wanted to bring that spirit to life in our campaign, featuring three women who really know each other and share a true bond, like sisters—positive, radiant, and connected.

Looking at the summer pieces in this collection – with the mix of florals, stripes, light fabrics, and beautiful details like open backs and puffed sleeves – what are some of the pieces you’re personally most excited for people to discover?
I especially love the Rukiyana dress with the yellow block print. It combines everything I look for in a garment: femininity, comfort, softness, and color. And of course, knowing its story and the care that went into creating it makes it even more special and unique!

Louise Misha often draws inspiration from your travels and personal encounters. How has working on this particular collection in India deepened or influenced your creative inspiration?
I’m a very curious person. I love to travel and I’m always looking for inspiration. India touches me in a special way—first, because of my love for flowers. They’re such an essential part of Indian culture. It’s a deeply spiritual country, and flowers are used in so many religious rituals—Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism—regardless of the faith. They’re also present in all of life’s major moments: weddings, births, and more. Indians love to surround themselves with flowers, and you see them everywhere. And of course, their use of color is endlessly inspiring to me. I love that every color carries a special meaning.

Will you take us to your next trip? Haha sorry we had to ask :)
Of course!

Camille Gressier
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