About Us

 Hi, I'm Liezel, the creator and proud owner of Misty and Me Ltd.

Sewing has always run strong in my family with a line of seamstresses including my grandmother and aunt. I grew up watching the Bold and the Beautiful with my mother at night time and got introduced to the world of fashion. I WAS SMITTEN! I would draw up and design and glue and handstitch together badly made clothes for my Barbie to best replicate my drawn up designs and thought I was the bees knees. As I grew older, I then laid my  eyes upon Elle Woods and Bruiser from Legally Blonde and finally found the perfect role model to look up to. I loved Elle's connection with Bruiser, her strong belief for animal rights and of course how they always perfectly matched. Elle taught me that you can indeed be yourself completely, even if it makes you stand out, it's ok to stand out and it's ok to express yourself with fashion.

I had a Dachsund at the time named Kylie when i was around 11, and we would always wear matching black and pink outfits together. I would make her jackets that were very cute and very extra to keep her warm during the colder seasons. My passion for creating never left and I continued to study fine arts before immigrating to New Zealand from South Africa. When I got here I pursued my lifelong dream of studying fashion and enrolled in the NZ Institute of Fashion and Technology and studied Garment construction and Pattern design. I however started to lose my design spark as I didn't have a fluffy little partner by my side. I had a cat named Hunny, but she was not interested in dressing up. During this time, I explored many other creative adventures, including studying makeup artistry at Weltec in Wellington, doing freelance make up, face and body painting for special events, modelling, body piercing, a tattoo apprenticeship and being a freelance artist.

My world came crashing down on me when I was diagnosed with Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, PCOS and Polycystic Ovaries in 2016. Slowly I lost all independence which left me absolutely distraught as I had lost everything I have worked so hard for and pain restricted me from doing what I loved. After YEARS of self work and working towards a new form of independence, I was advised to get an Emotional Support Animal to help me cope with and accept my reality of a childless future. I've wanted a dog ever since I immigrated to New Zealand but my lifestyle was just too busy until then. A little angel named Freddie, an 11 month old Yorkshire Terrier fell into my life and absolutely saved me. She also re ignited my passion for sewing and I thoroughly enjoyed making her cute little outfits to keep her warm.

I sadly lost her to a gruesome disease, GME, after having her for only one year. It was one of the hardest things ever to lose her as she was such a big light in my life. My house was empty and there was animal belongings everywhere, I knew I needed a little angel to look after. After two days of no sleep, we found Misty who was 8 weeks old at the time and living with her family in New Plymouth. I drove with my mum to go pick her up and we instantly connected. Misty helped me to heal and to make peace with losing Freddie so suddenly and so drastically. I swore I wouldn't sew again but as Misty grew and as my heart healed, I dusted off my sewing machine and started making her clothes. 

When 2022 started, I promised myself that I would start to conquer my fears holding me back from achieving my dreams and to create a better life for me and Misty. It has not been easy, but owning a pet apparel company and working with animals has always been a dream for me. I've tried many avenues to get here, all which taught me so much and gave me so many precious memories to look back on and I am so proud of facing my demons to get to where I am today. I could not have done this alone, and have the most amazing partner, family, friends and dog community to thank for that. I truly am so grateful to be on this journey, starting a new way of life and independence and I thank you for being a part of my journey and for your support. :)