Meet Zoe, Mimi, and Lea: the Lotti Dolli dolls.
Originally conceived in 2009 by Maya Persaud and Shevanne Helmer, Lotti Dolli is a unique T-shirt and accessory concept that invites playful, sustainable creativity. Each piece allows you to dress your doll directly on your T-shirt or bag using interchangeable mini appliqués, handcrafted in France from repurposed luxury fabric scraps. The T-shirts themselves are sourced from dead stock materials, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to circular fashion.
In 2026, Maya Persaud relaunched the brand with a renewed purpose: to support Espero, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating pathways to employment for underserved communities, including exiled individuals, formerly incarcerated people, and those with disabilities. Espero focuses on sustainable sectors such as permaculture farming, beekeeping, and sewing and upcycling.
At the heart of Espero’s mission are two job-training sewing studios, where more than 60 individuals, primarily women, have gained employment and hands-on experience. Through a partially government-funded program lasting from six months to two years, participants build technical skills while addressing barriers to employment. Many graduates have gone on to work with some of the world’s leading luxury houses.
To date, Espero has supported over 300 individuals on their journey toward meaningful employment. The organization also manages 31 beehives across the Paris region, offering community education on the vital role bees play in sustaining our planet’s ecosystem.
For more information on Espero: www.esperofrance.org
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