About
The Lissome Magazine: Storytelling for Cultural and Ecological Transformation
I founded The Lissome in 2016 and continue to lead its vision as creative director and editor-in-chief. The Lissome is an independent cultural initiative exploring how clothing culture and artistic craft can open pathways to ecological and social renewal. In a time of deep unravelling, it offers a space for reflection, dialogue and imaginative possibility.
Guided by pleasure activism and a commitment to uniting aesthetics with ethics, each annual print edition is conceived as a tactile, visual journey – pairing evocative imagery with in-depth writing to illuminate the values, relationships and material realities that shape our world.
Through our award-nominated magazine, podcast, curated exhibitions and community projects such as The Book of Kin, I work with an international network of contributors to cultivate a culture of care and inspire systemic change.
Here, you can explore The Lissome print editions, online platform, monthly Substack newsletter, its Weaving Beings podcast series, and Instagram account.
What I Offer
I work fluidly between the cultural sphere and applied creative direction, offering distinct yet connected pathways for collaboration.
Cultural & Artistic Projects: I create artist-led publications, exhibitions and conceptual editorial series that merge craft, ecology and visual poetry. My work includes public events and curatorial projects that act as cultural interventions, sparking dialogue, reimagining narratives and fostering regenerative alternatives to fast-paced, consumption-driven norms.
Applied Creative Direction: I bring depth and visual clarity to complex ideas through art direction, editorial leadership and concept development. I craft campaigns and storytelling strategies that align with ecological, social and cultural values, ensuring beauty and substance are inseparable. Whether curating a print issue or shaping a visual identity, I translate big ideas into emotionally resonant visual forms.
What Makes My Work Distinct: My work creates space for new narratives – connecting tradition and innovation, ethics and aesthetics, cultural work and applied design. By bridging these worlds, I offer both cultural impact and strategic creativity, bringing nuance, care and vision to every project.
Award-winning execution:
Recognised for visual excellence and editorial innovation.
Unique ethos:
Beauty as activism, aesthetics and ethics as one, storytelling as a regenerative act.
Awards
2024
- Editkilpailu Award for TAUKO Magazine
by Aikakausmedia, the Finnish Association of Media Houses - Winner for “Best Look of the Year”
2023
- Editkilpailu Award for TAUKO Magazine
by Aikakausmedia, the Finnish Association of Media Houses - Winner of “Magazine Innovator of the Year”
- Shortlisted for “Best Look of the Year”
2022
- Winner of WORTH Partnership Project Award for Future From The Past
- Pro Helvetia Funding Awardee
2020
- Nominated for the German Ecodesign Award for The Lissome
- Winner of WORTH Partnership Project Award for HORAI
2011
- BCP Award for Electronic Beats Magazine
2010
- BCP Award for Electronic Beats Magazine
2009
- Swatch Young Illustrators Award
The Lissome Magazine
Dörte de Jesus is the founder and vision keeper of The Lissome, an award-winning independent print magazine and online platform, created with an international community of photographers and writers.
At The Lissome, she explores the intersection of mindfulness, earth-centred design, ecology and system transformation through sensual and thoughtful storytelling – providing a nourishing space for conversations and contemplation, making positive future visions tangible.
Here, you can explore The Lissome print editions, online platform, and Instagram account.
Testimonials
“Dörte is one of the most creative designers I’ve ever worked with. She’s extremely talented, highly dedicated and has a wonderful character. A very rare jewel!”
– Kathrin Redl, In-House Art Director ELLE Germany
“With Dörte’s distinctive art direction, TAUKO Magazine has captured the hearts of the international craft community as well as professionals from the publishing industry, winning the prestigious title of “Innovator of the Year” by the Finnish association of media houses in 2023. Since our first meeting, I have been in love with Dörte’s unique way of creating beauty and poetry in the world. Working with her always gives me the feeling of being on the verge of creating something extraordinary.”
– Mila Moisio, Editor-in-Chief of TAUKO Magazine
“Working with Dörte was a joy. She has an impeccable instinct for strong design and beautiful imagery, and so I felt in very safe hands. Dörte took time and care to understand the ethos of the festival and to ensure the branding, logo, images and website design was fit for purpose. Most importantly for me, she is committed to working ethically, consciously and sustainably, which brings full, heartfelt integrity to all her work. I would recommend Dörte to any individuals, organisations or brands who wish to work with a sensitive, intuitive and clear-sighted guide.”
– Becky Burchell, Founder CHANGE Festival
“Speaking to Dörte and getting a trained eye to give clear, HONEST insight was invaluable to keep branding clear and focused. Dörte understands visual presentation and she also knows the importance of communicating the sustainable credentials of a brand with a balance of simplicity and passion.”
– Alison Baker, Founder Ally Bee Knitwear
Features and Resources
Features of Dörte’s Work:
- Weaving Beings: Conversations with The Lissome, 2024 [podcast]
- The Architecture of Contemplation with Hardeep Kaur, 2023 [podcast]
- Fixing the Future Festival, 17 September 2022 [video recording]
- The Lissome N°3, Do you read me?!, April 2022
- A Different View on ..., Nowness, October 2021
- The Quiet Activism of The Lissome Founder Dörte de Jesus, Friends of Friends, Sept 2021
- The Unfashionable Beauty of Fashion, Atlas for the Future, March 2021
- Sustainable Fashion in the Wake of the Pandemic, Hund Hund Journal, June 2020
- The Importance of Beauty for Sustainability, Spirit of Design, 2019 [podcast]
Her Reading List for Inspiration:
- Gabor Maté, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture, 2022
- Jason Hickel, Less is More. How Degrowth will Save the World, 2021
- Kate Fletcher and Mathilda Tham, Earth Logic Fashion Action Research Plan, 2019
- Helena Norberg-Hodge, Local is our Future. Steps to an Economics of Happiness, 2019
- Rebecca Burgess, Fibershed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists, and Makers for a New Textile Economy, 2019
- adrienne maree brown, Emergent Strategy. Shaping Change, Changing Worlds, 2017
- Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass. Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, 2015
- bell hooks, All About Love. New Visions, 2001
