Marilou Dadat was raised in a very small village on the outskirts of Limoges, France, surrounded by the countryside. Growing up surrounded by nature left her with little choice but to get creative. It was this environment that saw her awarded an admission to the prestigious Ecole des Arts Decos.

At ENSAD in Paris, Marilou pursued a degree in graphic design before shifting her focus to fashion, where she graduated with top honours. During her studies, she interned at fashion institutions Alexander McQueen and Vogue Paris, under Carine Roitfeld. She worked backstage for numerous Haute Couture fashion shows, gaining invaluable hands-on experience with brands like Chanel, Gaultier, and Miu Miu.

Following her graduation, Marilou joined Dice Kayek as an assistant, where she was instrumental in developing both ready-to-wear and couture collections. Here, she honed her love for the craft of construction, learning the importance of materials and meticulous craftsmanship. She later became a freelance designer, collaborating with several brands, including Bonpoint.

Marilou has a passion for textures, colours and shapes, she values functionality and craftsmanship.

After a decade in Paris, Marilou moved to New Zealand and has called Wellington home for more than six years, now living in the bush of Wellington.

In February 2018, Marilou joined Kowtow as their Head Designer where she led the label's development into new product lines, debuting with a sustainable swimwear collection and soon after, ethical wool coats. In 2022, Marilou stepped into the role of Creative Director, taking over from Kowtow founder Gosia Piatek.