There’s a certain elegance in the way Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni moves: a quiet, intentional softness that feels like effortless luxury. It’s the kind of ease that continues to capture the attention of adoring followers and brands alike. It’s for this reason that her recent collaboration with Ted Baker feels less like a partnership and more like a natural extension of her style story.
Liesl has always embodied grace. In this season of her life, she wears it with a new depth, and Ted Baker has certainly noticed. With its classic silhouettes, romantic touches, and timeless femininity, Ted Baker mirrors the woman she has grown into: refined, grounded, soft, and self-assured.
Letting us into her fabulous world, Liesl admits that the confident version we’ve come to know and love didn’t appear overnight. Her style has been shaped by years of self-discovery; evolving from dressing to please others to dressing as an act of self-love. When she speaks about cutting her hair at 30, it sounds like a plot twist in her own coming-of-age film – a defining moment where she chose authenticity over approval.
It’s no surprise that a brand like Ted Baker – drawn to intention and storytelling – sees her as the perfect muse: a woman who treats style as an emotional language. In many ways, Liesl’s partnership with Ted Baker feels like a meeting of kindred spirits. The brand’s long-standing commitment to craftsmanship and feminine sophistication mirrors the evolution she has been undergoing. Ted Baker isn’t simply dressing Liesl, it’s reflecting her. The collaboration celebrates the modern woman she has become. It’s a partnership built not on trends, but on shared values: elegance, longevity, and the power of quiet confidence.
Today, Liesl stands firmly in her soft girl era – one of comfort, alignment, and gentle glamour. She leans into Parisian berets, Milanese scarves, New York streetwear, or simple minimalist silhouettes back home, but somehow she always remains unmistakably Liesl.
It's this balance of global influence and rooted identity that makes her such a compelling figure in fashion. She doesn’t chase trends, she curates moments. She doesn’t perform softness, she lives it. Wrapped in her signature calm confidence, she opens up about her style evolution, love, legacy, and the season in which she’s blooming.
Glamour: How would you describe your style evolution over the years, from South Africa to the global personality you are today?
Liesl: First of all, “global personality”… yes please! Little Liesl would be so proud. I think my style evolution comes from the confidence I’ve gained over the years. I was confident when I entered Miss South Africa, but also quite insecure. Between 2015 and around 2019–2020, my style was largely dictated by trends and what others might think. Then COVID gave me a huge break from dressing up daily, wearing heels, and being out and about. That period at home helped me reconnect with myself. I turned 30 in 2020 and cut my hair into a pixie. This was a turning point where I decided to dress for me – whatever makes me happy, comfortable, and feel beautiful.
I no longer dressed for approval. If anything, I hoped people would at least see that I am my own person. Is my style groundbreaking? Not at all. But am I happy, comfortable, and feeling beautiful in pieces I’ve truly chosen for myself? Absolutely.
Glamour: So what are the key influences that have shaped your fashion sense?
Liesl: When you’re younger, it’s all about the “what ifs” and what people are going to say. What shaped my style later in life was confidence, self-awareness, and being exposed to more TikTok and Pinterest. The TikTok era came at the perfect time; it’s like Pinterest in video form, with someone actually talking you through fashion choices, breaking down designers, and showing how trends work. It helped shape my fashion sense and who I am today: secure, at ease, and confident in what I like. Comfort has also played a big role. I know fashion critics don’t always want to hear that, but I need to be comfortable to feel happy. Comfort is relative, of course, but the way I’ve balanced it in my wardrobe and styling for big or small events is where I’m thriving right now.
Glamour: When you're putting together a look, what's the one fashion rule you always live by?
Liesl: I’m not sure if this counts as a fashion rule, but I will never not smell good. I think it’s part of entering a room and making a statement. People will see your outfit, but I’m known for my specific perfumes and scent layering combinations. Even if your look feels like a 7 out of 10 because things didn’t go perfectly that day, having great accessories, flawless makeup, and an amazing scent can instantly elevate it to a solid 9 out of 10.
Glamour: How does your style shift depending on where you are in the world?
Liesl: I get a little carried away when it comes to this, but I absolutely love it because you get to explore a lot of fashion from other spaces and see where their influence originates. So when I'm traveling to a specific place, I generally pull up a Pinterest board or some TikToks and ask, "What are the girlies wearing in Paris in winter?" And I will choose a couple of things that are closest to my style, and try to put those together in my own way. A lot of the time, I use items I already own, so that makes things really easy. But my style does shift about 40% to the side of the country I'm traveling to. I will wear more berets when in Paris, more scarves in Milan, and a little bit more street style; kind of baggy, edgy clothing when I'm in New York. And if I'm going somewhere coastal and hot, I'm definitely packing a summer dress and a bikini.
Glamour: What are your top three must-have items in your carry-on?
Liesl: An iPad and headphones, because I don’t watch the movies on the plane, I watch what I’m currently watching at home. Number two is hand sanitiser and sanitiser wipes. No matter what they say about cleanliness, I like to be extra careful. Lastly, a coat or an extra long-sleeve top. I’m always cold on planes, so even if I’m already wearing a sweater, I bring a coat as backup. Those little blankets can only do so much.
Glamour: Which city or destination has influenced your style and mindset the most?
Liesl: Most likely New York! Growing up watching that New York lifestyle on television also played a huge role. I grew up on Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, The Bold Type, etc. All I ever wanted to do, was travel there, go out to the Upper East Side, and be in Times Square over New Year's, visit Central Park and go for a run with my doggies. I've managed to do all of those things... Minus the doggies, because we can't have Cashew travel for that long. He only believes in travelling by car!
Glamour: You've collaborated with incredible brands. What qualities matter most to you when choosing a partner?
Liesl: Longevity and a kind team are so important! I’ve worked with many brands on long-term partnerships, and what matters most is having a team that communicates openly, shares feedback honestly, and treats everyone with respect. Loyalty, kindness, and a healthy working dynamic make all the difference. When I was younger, I’ll admit I focused on the pay cheque. But with time, you realise that it’s about more than money – it’s about alignment, shared values, and building a relationship that feels good on both sides. The pay cheque is great, of course, but the partnership has to be healthy, happy, and rooted in mutual respect.
Glamour: Let’s talk about your recent Ted Baker collaboration, what drew you to this partnership?
Liesl: Have you seen their goodies? Perfection! But truly, I’ve been a Ted Baker girly since 2015 when Stuttafords still stocked the brand. I own coats and dresses that are nearly a decade old and they still look brand new; that’s the kind of quality I’m proud to stand behind. I’ve also met the team behind the scenes, and we clicked instantly. I’m always excited to work with a brand that champions women, especially women in South Africa, so the partnership felt like a natural fit.
Glamour: Ted Baker has such a distinct British femininity. What elements of the brand feel most aligned with your personal style?
Liesl: Off the top of my head, I would say it’s the tailoring and meticulous attention to detail. I love that Ted Baker is the perfect combination of sophistication with a vibrant, spirited personality. That speaks to who I strive to be on a day-to-day basis.
Glamour: What’s one Ted Baker piece you think every woman should own and why?
Liesl: A long, black tailored coat! Trust me, it's timeless.
Glamour: How do you stay grounded whilst juggling travel, work, and personal commitments?
Liesl: Family. When I am home in Eldorado Park to see my family, I'm not the Glamazon Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni, media personality, television and radio presenter. I am simply Liesl. And that really helps me stay present and self-aware. My husband and I also have monthly check-ins where we look at what we set out to do for the year. If we're not on track, how do we get back on track? And if we are, should we up the list? Should we do better? It's a mental, physical, and financial check-in. It's all of the necessary things in my opinion. I always say [that] if you don't plan, you are setting yourself up for failure. So a lot of things that I embark on have been in the works for months, sometimes years. They've been on my vision board. There are times when life happens, and you veer onto unexpected off-ramps that lead to roads you didn’t plan for. But there are still things that I know, at the end of the day, I'm working towards. Having those check-ins brings me back to centre.
Glamour: What does living fabulously mean to you in your day-to-day life?
Liesl: Right now, in my 30s, it means having time and the freedom to do what I want, when I want. It’s going on a Thursday spa date after lunch, easing into my mornings, or hopping on a plane to visit my grandmother for the day. It’s taking my mom ⏤ who’s an educator and always deserving of a spoil ⏤ out for lunch. For me, time is the real luxury.
Glamour: We enjoy seeing you be intentionally loved out loud. What does that feel like for you?
Liesl: In the beginning, it was scary. When you come from relationships where you weren’t fully valued, being loved out loud feels unfamiliar. It took me a while to adjust. Although, if I’m honest, not too long ⏤ I do love being spoiled and being told I’m beautiful. I just wasn’t used to it. But now, in this season of my life, four years into marriage, it feels like this was always meant for me. I remember my grandma telling me growing up that I was special, that I would have a beautiful life and a partner who was kind and loving because she believed I deserved that. Coming from a difficult upbringing, she instilled those affirmations in me long before I understood them. At 14, I shrugged it off; what do you know about a loving, attentive partner at that age? But looking back now, her prayers truly carried me. Her words became my reality in the most beautiful way. Imagine living a life where every single day with your husband feels like a solid 10 out of 10. That’s my blessing.
Glamour: What's one tradition you hope to pass down in the future?
Liesl: It’s a tradition my grandmother passed down to me, and one I’ll definitely pass on to my children: the act of giving back. With Christmas around the corner, my family hosts a big Christmas lunch in Eldorado Park for those who may not be able to enjoy a happy, hearty meal on the day. I’ve been part of it since I was 11, back then I was just running around soaking up the joy. Now, I help run it with my sister, aunts, and mom. We make sure everyone who comes through gets a delicious meal, dessert, a party pack, and a small gift to take home. It’s mainly for the kiddies, but the adults are always welcome too. It’s one of my favourite ways to honour my grandmother’s legacy of kindness.
Glamour: What is the next destination on your bucket list, and why is it calling your name?
Liesl: Japan has been on my husband’s bucket list for ages. When he finally explained why it means so much to him, it instantly shot to the top of mine too. I’m excited for the fashion, I’m excited for the food – honestly, I’m excited for everything! New York is one of my favourite cities, and I feel like Japan will give me that same electric energy, but in a completely unique way.
Glamour: What is the era you are stepping into as you welcome the new year?
Liesl: I shared at a recent event that I’m in my era of softness, and that’s the era I want to continue stepping into in the new year. After spending so long in an era of survival and struggle, I feel I deserve to stay in this space of softness for as long as possible. Softness toward myself and softness toward others.
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