Lisette’s Story
From Kinshasa to London: A Journey of Transformation
Born in the vibrant city of Kinshasa, my life took a transformative turn when I moved to the United Kingdom at the age of fourteen. The UK became my second home, where I completed my education, achieving a master’s degree in project management from the University of Westminster, London.
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A Life of Purpose and Impact
In 2016, I was honoured to deliver a TEDx Talk titled "Living On The Edge," which summarised the multifaceted nature of my life journey. This talk reflected my experience of balancing motherhood, family life, a full-time career, while also establishing both a non-profit organisation and my personal image consultancy brand, The Stylish Mum.
While my journey might appear seamless from the outside, I've learned that nothing in life comes easily. However, I firmly believe that all things are possible with faith in God, an unwavering "I can do" attitude, strong organisational skills, genuine passion, and determination to succeed despite setbacks. My personal motto remains: "Change the objectives, not the goal."
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Fashion Journey: From Runway to Personal Styling
Fashion has been part of my life's journey. For six years, I worked as a catwalk and commercial model, including London Fashion Week shows, an experience that deepened my understanding of style and presentation. This background led me to become a certified Personal Stylist and Micro-Influencer, allowing me to merge my passion with purpose.
My fashion expertise now serves multiple goals: providing personal styling services, hosting fashion gala soirées, and raising funds for our non-profit organisation, PFM Foundation. Through PFM Foundation, we support grassroots organisations working with homeless street children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Birth of The Stylish Mum
The Stylish Mum was born from my personal experience as a busy mother juggling multiple responsibilities. After the birth of my second daughter in October 2017, I experienced firsthand how motherhood can lead to self-neglect in terms of personal style and appearance. Despite my modelling background, I found myself losing confidence, hiding behind baggy clothes, and struggling with my postpartum body image.
My turning point came on a cold January afternoon in 2018. I made a conscious decision to reclaim my identity, starting with a simple photo session wearing an off-shoulder mustard yellow jumper, an A-line black skirt, and knee-high black boots. This moment marked the beginning of The Stylish Mum as an Instagram visual blog.
The Stylish Mum Today
Seven years later, The Stylish Mum has evolved into a thriving brand with a clear mission: to empower and equip mothers to embrace their confidence, regardless of dress size or body shape. Our signature '90-day wardrobe confidence programme' helps mothers rediscover their style and confidence.
I understand the challenges that mothers face in maintaining their personal style while managing family life, work, and personal initiatives. It's easy to become overwhelmed and fall into the habit of constantly dressing down – keeping hair in a messy bun, defaulting to tracksuits or basic t-shirts with leggings. However, I've learned that maintaining our appearance isn't vanity – it's an important aspect of self-care that significantly impacts our confidence and overall well-being.
Through The Stylish Mum, I'm committed to helping mothers realize that they don't have to choose between practicality and style. We can be both efficient caregivers and confident, stylish women. Our journey of motherhood should enhance, not diminish, our sense of self and personal style.