RITUALS

07 / 21 / 2025

Rituals of Loudmilla

RITUALS

07 / 21 / 25

Rituals of Loudmilla

“I want to be vulnerable, to reflect my values and emotions, and to tell stories that mean something. I draw inspiration from my own life journey, from mistakes and lessons, from the beauty I see around me.”

I’m a creative based in Brussels, Belgium, working in styling and creative direction. I love building things with my hands—whether it’s garments or furniture. I was born in Kinshasa, in what was then Zaïre (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). My Congolese roots are the core of who I am, shaping my values and the way I see the world. My Belgian culture, in turn, has influenced my understanding of the Western world. Together, they create a blend of courage, love, and creativity within me. I’m deeply committed to finding balance between these two cultures—a challenge I cherish and work on every day.

If I had to describe myself in three words, I’d say: passionate, rooted, and sensitive. Each one reflects a different part of me—my drive, my heritage, and my emotional depth.

The people who’ve shaped me the most are the women in my family—my two mothers, my sisters, my aunts—and my close friends, who’ve become a second family. Their influence is woven into everything I do.

Fig 2.

Milla's daily essentials.

My path to becoming a stylist and creative director wasn’t something I planned. I initially studied graphic design, but one of my painting teachers noticed my passion for fabrics and fashion and encouraged me to switch to textile design. It was a challenge, but ultimately the best decision for my creativity. While studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, I started helping friends with shoots—styling, sometimes even modeling—and that’s when the storytelling aspect of my work really began to take shape. I didn’t grow up around many creatives, so it felt like I was carving my own path from scratch. I still remember my parents wondering where this creative energy came from—I don’t even know myself.

"To me, beauty is as simple as a cold glass of water—visually refreshing and honest. Beauty is simple. It’s unapologetically true, authentic, and intangible."

Fig 3.

Milla's rituals.

Fig 4.

Milla by Nele Bogaerts.

My creative process is always evolving. For commercial projects, I try to trust my instincts and act on them quickly. But for personal work—or projects that blend the personal and professional—I go deeper. I want to be vulnerable, to reflect my values and emotions, and to tell stories that mean something. I draw inspiration from my own life journey, from mistakes and lessons, from the beauty I see around me. For styling, I love browsing old fashion shows and current magazines. For creative direction, I turn to documentaries, photo essays, films, old music videos, and especially the stories of people I know. Lately, I’ve been exploring the work of emerging African artists and reinterpreting the vision of designers who’ve long inspired me.

To me, beauty is as simple as a cold glass of water—visually refreshing and honest. Beauty is simple. It’s unapologetically true, authentic, and intangible. One of my earliest memories of beauty is my mother doing my hair in Congo. The image is blurry, but I remember the tenderness and care she put into it, making sure I was ready for the week ahead. Over time, my understanding of beauty has evolved. I’ve come to see that beauty doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it’s often the imperfections that make someone or something truly beautiful. I feel most beautiful when I’m with my sisters, my closest friends, or my partner. They make me feel seen, just as I am. I often return to something Viola Davis said: “Beauty means being at peace with yourself. I spent a good deal of my life not feeling worthy. That feeling is like gasoline in a car. It’s more about what you let go of—what no longer serves you.”

Fig 5.

Milla wears Every Tone SPF 30.

Fig 6.

The Bioactive Mask.

Ritual, for me, is about being grounded. It means learning to appreciate the simple things in daily life. My skincare ritual is one of those grounding moments. Twice a week, I use the Bioactive Mask—it helps reset my skin. In winter, I rely on the Essential Moisturizer from LESSE as my last step for deep nighttime hydration. Other rituals include drinking water regularly, wearing sunscreen daily (even with my Black skin—something I’ve learned while living in Europe), staying active, buying fresh flowers for my home, and journaling. Writing down my thoughts is therapy for me. I feel most alive after a cold shower—it’s intense but instantly shifts my mood—or during long hikes in nature. Those moments wake something up inside me.

Fig 7.

In soft focus.

In ten years, I hope to be expressing my creative vision more fully and taking more risks. I want to spend as much time as I can with the people I love, creating more memories. There’s a special project I’ve been dreaming about for three years that I hope to finally bring to life—with my best friend and my family by my side. I also want to learn how to surf—and to hike more.

For the world, I hope for more compassion. Deeper connection. And joy in the little things.

Explore Milla’s work on her website and follow her on Instagram. Visuals shot in collaboration with Nele Bogaerts.

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