At House of Mabangó, we’ve always believed that everyday tasks deserve beauty, personality, and a little soul. So when we started dreaming up our newest tote bag, we knew we wanted to collaborate with an artist whose work felt warm and expressive.
That’s where Laissa came in.
Laissa Louzada is a Brazilian artist and designer currently living in Portugal with her family. Her work blends tropical memories, rich textures, bold colours, and soft everyday moments into art that feels both playful and emotional. From fashion design to hand-painted artworks and surface patterns for global brands, her creative journey is rooted in storytelling, emotion, and connection.
For the Mabangó tote bag collaboration, Laissa translated the spirit of our brand into a design that feels sunny, free, tropical, and full of life. Exactly how we want our Laundry Besties to feel.
We sat down with her to talk about creativity, motherhood, moving across the world, and the inspiration behind the Mabangó tote.
Meet Laissa: The Artist Behind the Mabangó Tote Bag
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey as an artist? How did it all begin?
Since childhood, I have always loved creating and coming up with DIY ideas. My mom is my greatest reference. She taught me all kinds of arts, from painting and collage to making accessories. I studied Fashion Design at university in Brazil and later completed a specialisation in Surface Design.
For many years, I worked in both industries, and in 2020 I moved to Portugal with my family; my husband and my oldest son. I arrived during the height of the pandemic, which meant I spent a lot of time at home. That period created a need for more creative freedom and inspired me to try something new. That’s when I started painting on canvas, and I completely fell in love with it.
When life slowly returned to normal, I continued working with patterns and prints for many brands, including large fashion companies. Last year, I opened my own home studio, focused on bringing global-quality, authorial art to small and medium-sized brands.
Growing Up Creative
What inspired you to start painting and creating? Has it always been a part of you?
Yes, absolutely. Creativity has always been part of me.
As a child, I loved DIY television programmes, making paper clothes for my Barbies, and drawing constantly. My mom was the person who truly nurtured this love for art, so following a creative path felt very natural to me.
I’m Brazilian, from Rio de Janeiro, and I grew up surrounded by colours, textures, nature, and vibrant people. I believe the places we grow up in directly influence our art.
When I moved to Portugal, art became a way for me to feel closer to Brazil. From that moment on, I noticed my work becoming more intentional. Today, I feel like I paint memories and emotions from my own tropical world.
How Brazil and Portugal Inspire Her Artwork
Your work feels so expressive and soulful. Where do you usually find inspiration?
As a Brazilian living in Portugal, I think my background strongly influences my artwork. Brazil and Portugal feel like brother countries in many ways because of their deep historical connection, and I carry my tropical essence with me everywhere.
Living in Portugal has brought me completely new feelings, perspectives, and experiences, and all of that naturally found its way into my art. I love combining neutral and muted tones with the bright tropical colours that remind me of Rio de Janeiro.
My work often mixes abstract shapes, foliage, ceramics, and everyday objects. I love how living abroad has stirred so many emotions within me and how those feelings continue to shape my creative process.
The Story Behind the Mabangó Tote Bag Design
Can you walk us through your creative process for the Mabangó tote? From first idea to final design.
The Mabangó tote was such an amazing project to work on.
We started by building the brief together and discussing the feeling Mabangó wanted to communicate through the tote bag. We worked with moodboards, colour palettes, and references to define the overall direction.
From there, I started developing the colours, composition, and elements of the artwork. The final graphic has a softly wild and natural essence, combined with a bright, optimistic tropical colour palette.
I created the artwork entirely by hand through digital painting techniques, layering textures and brushes to create a relaxed and playful feel.
Life as a Creative Mother
What does a typical day in your life look like as a creative artist and mother?
Oh my, hahaha! My days are busy, but wonderful.
I truly love being both a mom and an artist because I feel that creative energy naturally flows into our home and into my children’s lives. I don’t really follow a strict routine because every day depends on the kids’ schedules.
Usually, I spend the mornings with them before heading into my home studio to work. At the end of the day, I switch back into mom mode and spend time with my family again.
I feel incredibly grateful to work from home because it allows me to dedicate more time to my children. It makes both my life and my heart feel lighter.
Advice for Aspiring Creatives
What advice would you give to someone who feels creative but is too scared to start or share their work?
I think the best thing you can do is simply start sharing without putting too much pressure on yourself.
Don’t worry about everything being perfect or beautiful right away because the process including the mistakes and imperfections, is actually the most interesting part.
Being real and simple can inspire so many people. And when you look back one day, you’ll realise you created something beautiful through your entire journey. I wish you the best of luck.
Art, Storytelling & Everyday Rituals
At Mabangó, we love collaborating with creatives who bring emotion and storytelling into everyday objects. Laissa’s artwork perfectly captures the feeling we wanted for this tote bag: tropical, expressive, warm, and full of personality. Because just like laundry, art has a way of turning ordinary moments into something beautiful.