Bringing Beauty to the Fashion Market

Introducing Marie Zelie, a new line of clothing inspired by the Catholic faith

I was able to catch up with Krzysztof Ziętarski who is the driving force behind the new brand of clothing, Marie Zelie inspired by beauty, truth, and goodness, that is coming soon the U.S. market after successfully launching in Poland.

TOH: Tell us about Marie Zelie and how it came to be?

Ziętarski: Marie Zélie is a women’s fashion brand focused on creating beautiful dresses made from natural fabrics. We want it to be the first brand that comes to mind when you think about dresses.

I came up with the idea of launching the brand after a long search with my wife for beautiful dresses made from natural fabrics that upheld Catholic modesty standards without being unnecessarily revealing

We spent hours, days, weeks, and months searching for something inspiring - something that wasn’t merely an imitation of past decades or centuries of fashion but instead a fresh take on modern fashion, offering feminine, beautiful, and modest dresses.

I saw a huge, untapped potential for building a brand to address these needs. I couldn’t believe we were the only people with a desire to buy beautiful dresses from one brand.

TOH: What has been your inspiration to not just start this business but to expand it?

Ziętarski: I’ve always been a creative person, a photographer, guitarist, video game level designer, and entrepreneur. I love music and art and I understand the importance of beauty in our existence. Every human has a desire for beauty written in its DNA. It’s simply part of how we’re made, as reflections of God’s image.

I know that business today is often reduced to pursuing new technologies, like the AI arms race. However, what’s all the tech for, and why shouldn’t we care about making the world not just more efficient but also more beautiful?

Beauty brings joy and peace and helps people live better. It feeds us and inspires us to better care for each other. Isn’t it our ultimate goal to love each other and God more and more?

I also believe we need more Catholic-inspired businesses that aren’t precisely catered to just Catholics’ needs. In the end, “catholic” means “universal”. I want to build an ultimate dress company to deliver fabulous dresses, compete with top global fashion companies, and join the top 100.

TOH: Your apparel is very both feminine and fun. What kind of woman are you thinking of when you design each season?

Ziętarski: Women have unique opportunities to enjoy fashion in ways that aren’t available to men. You have greater flexibility here, and I love it. I look at what we can bring to the market in terms of the moods, emotions, and values we aim to inspire in the women who choose to wear our dresses. We want to bring beauty, timeless elegance, and femininity in its many varieties. All of that while balancing the formal and casual occasions you wish to embrace while wearing dresses made from natural fabrics. We mix comfort and beauty and play with that each season.

We look forward to the trends in the fashion market and playfully interpret them, exploring opportunities we believe other brands might overlook. I love this creative side of the business and how, while playing with the designs, you can make it a medium of joy and beauty and inspire people around you to live each day looking for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.

TOH: What role has the Catholic faith played in your work and the execution of your brand?

Ziętarski: I believe that doing business is a great way to work on your virtues, embrace accountability, grow as a person, and live in truth. It’s a part of living with God and an essential part of life that can help sanctify you. I also see that in St. Marie Zélie Martin, St. Louis Martin, and their family. When reading their letters, you see that being an entrepreneur was a great practice of caring for people around you, practicing love each day.

I also believe that being a Catholic in business requires you to strive for professionalism, do your best to deliver great products and customer experience, and take your part in handling the interests of all stakeholders with respect.

TOH: Where can we get your products in the US?

Ziętarski: We’re finalizing our U.S. launch under a new brand name, Rosa Fortis. The dresses are nearly ready, and we plan to launch U.S. sales soon. We want to offer new designs each week and have a complete offering of complementary products for your needs beyond the dresses.

To support our growth, we are currently raising funds to accelerate this expansion. These investments will enable us to scale production, strengthen logistics, and establish a lasting presence in the U.S. market. It’s an exciting step forward that will allow us to bring Rosa Fortis to a wider audience while staying true to our values of beauty, quality, and timeless elegance.