The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
Fashion & BeautyLifestyleThe Latest

Exclusive Interview With Courtney LeMarco, Founder and CEO of MOTSI Couture

by Avyana Chapman June 3, 2022
by Avyana Chapman June 3, 2022 0 comments
3K

A swimsuit from MOTSI is a must-have as we roll into Summer 2022. MOSTI is a black-owned fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brand.

MOTSI Swim’s sustainable swimwear collection features ten modern and flattering swimwear styles, all made from 78% polyamide (harvested from ocean plastic). 5% of all MOTSI swim proceeds go to the World Wildlife Fund. I had the pleasure of interviewing the founder, Courtney LeMarco, and receiving a sustaining swimsuit that will have all the heads turning this Summer. 

The Knockturnal: Please tell readers about yourself and your brand?

Courtney LeMarco: I’m a Los Angeles native who grew up in Seattle. I have a career that spans everything from culinary and hospitality to media and entertainment. It’s been quite a ride so far. I’m the CEO of LeMarco Global, LLC, which is an investment firm with an interest in various industries. My latest venture, Motsi Couture, is a lifestyle brand that I created that focuses on fashion, skincare, and apparel. We have a growing line of skincare products and recently launched Motsi Swim, a sustainable swimwear line made from over 78% recycled ocean plastic.

The Knockturnal: How did you come up with your business idea?

Courtney LeMarco: I worked as a professional model from my childhood into my teenage years. Because of that, I have always been interested in creating my own lifestyle brand that encompasses everything from skincare to fashion. My circumstances took me in a different direction and I ended up becoming a chef, but I slowly got involved with media and started working as a content producer for companies like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. That inspired to me push toward my dream of owning my own company in that space. Once I was able to save up enough capital, I opened my company and have been going nonstop ever since.

The Knockturnal: How did you choose the name for your business?

Courtney LeMarco: I wanted to find a name that was both unique and paid homage to my heritage as an African American. That’s how I came up with the name Motsi, which means “the one” or “the first” depending on where in Africa it is translated from. It’s a very fitting name considering the fact that I’m the first in my family to break the cycle of poverty that we grew up in. And God willing, I plan on being the first to break the rules that dictate that an African American man who grew up poor and create and maintain an innovative lifestyle brand. With the right mindset and work ethic, I believe anything is possible.

The Knockturnal: How long did it take for your business to turn a profit?

Courtney LeMarco: I don’t consider us profitable in the standard sense because we’re constantly reinvesting back into the company. We’re expanding our offerings in cosmetics, fashion, and accessories, as well as cultivating new partnerships with distributors and brand ambassadors. We’re being extremely aggressive with this strategy, and I expect us to stay on this course for the foreseeable future. The company is completely funded by me and has no outside investors, so we have no debt. That allows us to make a lot of moves without a lot of bureaucracy. That saves us a lot of time, energy, and money.

The Knockturnal: How do you define fashion?

Courtney LeMarco: To me, fashion is a reflection of one’s true individuality. It enhances the human body and in many ways the spirit. When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good that energy permeates through the people around you. It’s a visual storyteller and establishes your personal brand.

The Knockturnal: Who or what inspires you when you’re creating your swimsuits?

Courtney LeMarco: A combination of nature and the human body. The colors, fabrics and come from nature. The lines, cuts, and design come from the beauty of the human form. Everyone is different, but we all have our angles. It’s very intriguing and creatively inspiring to me.

The Knockturnal: Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Courtney LeMarco: It hasn’t been smooth at all. And I’m glad that it hasn’t. If this was easy, everyone would be doing it. We’re constantly facing challenges in our business, but we’ve always been able to adjust accordingly. One of the biggest challenges was managing our supply chain during the pandemic. A lot of our suppliers and deliveries were months behind due to the breakdown of logistics. But it became obvious that almost every industry was going through the same thing. At that point, it became more about a change in perspective. And the shift in focus allowed us to go back to the drawing board and reassess our approach. It was an amazing learning experience.

The Knockturnal: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?

Courtney LeMarco: My best advice is to find people who are doing what you want to do and spend time with them. Find a mentor in the industry that you want to be in. Set goals and be relentless in your focus. Give up bad habits that are stopping you from reaching your full potential. It won’t be easy, you will feel lonely at first, and you’ll be criticized by friends and family who do not share your vision. But that is when you know you’re on the right path. 

The Knockturnal: How are you different from the competition?

Courtney LeMarco: I don’t really consider there to be any competition. There are a lot of other brands that are out there that I like and I’m inspired by. At the same time, we see a lot of brands following the same trends. We’re not looking to follow what everyone else is doing, and we’re not about selling a product as much as we are about creating a lifestyle.

The Knockturnal: What are some upcoming goals for your brand?

Courtney LeMarco: We’re in the process of developing an amazing streetwear collection which we intend to launch by the end of the year. I’m also looking to partner with various notable influencers and celebrities to launch curated capsule collections over the next two years.

The Knockturnal: Any exciting news you can share with us?

Courtney LeMarco: Yes, I’m excited about our plans to open up two retail locations. We’re currently scouting locations for a Motsi store in the greater Seattle area, and a Motsi Swim store in Los Angeles. Both locations would of course maintain our overall image, but they would also be tailored to the local community in regards to what is featured. People enjoy the shopping experience and we intend to provide them with an experience they’ll love.

Courtney LeMarcoFashioninterviewMotsi CouturesummerSwim
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Avyana Chapman

previous post
Restaurant Review: Jaz
next post
Second Annual AFRICON Presented by Amplify Africa

Related Posts

Renowned Restaurant Fresco by Scotto Debuts a New...

October 22, 2025

Cedric the Entertainer Reflects on The Neighborhood’s Final...

October 22, 2025

It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 Non-Spoiler Review

October 22, 2025

New York City Wine & Food Festival Wraps...

October 22, 2025

Bernadette Peters, Sutton Foster & Leslie Odom Jr....

October 22, 2025

James Callis, Shaul Metzstein & Nick Mohammed Talks...

October 21, 2025

AIF 2025 Festival Opens with Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet

October 21, 2025

Tea, Treatments, and Tranquility: Naturopathica Hosts Intimate Event...

October 21, 2025

GoingDry.co Celebrates Sober October with Tremble in SoHo

October 21, 2025

New York City Wine & Food Festival Soared...

October 21, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch