About Us
Who We Are
W
Sisumoi is about using one's strength to overcome adversity and follow your dreams. Owning a Sisumoi piece is a reminder to activate your gifts and live your best life.
Barbara's Story
Barbara's hand-painted illustrations and signature glamour art style are the heart of SISUMOI. Over the past 40 years, Barbara's art has been highly published, commissioned, awarded and shown globally.
With a 30 year career as one of the few leading female American fashion illustrators, Barbara has achieved enduring success in an expansive career in the retail advertising world. Specializing in "image-making" fashion illustration, she has been the lead illustrator for many of the major department stores in the United States for four decades. A partial list of clients include: Coty, Dillards, Foleys, Garfinkels, Hutzlers, Lord&Taylor, Marshall Fields, Marshalls, Nordstrom and John Wanamaker.
Her innovative development of six distinctive art styles landed her accolades and recognition in the form of advertising awards. Her personal archive offers a retrospective view of the American woman’s evolving style over the last forty years and is considered highly historically significant.
As a natural evolution in her career as a fashion art expert, Barbara has now segued into fine art as a portrait artist launching her newest and seventh style, now in oil paint. Barbara is one of the few fine artists still dedicated to the traditional techniques of the old masters which she unites with her own brand of modern fashion.
Alexandra's Story
Alexandra completed her MBA in 2019 and knew she wanted to take her sales, channel partnerships and marketing experience to eventually run her own company. A year later, SISUMOI was born.
Over the course of five years of traveling with her family to art shows, it became clear that the art world was changing significantly. This idea had been evolving since 2014. Art enthusiasts desired affordable options that went beyond the walls of their homes. They were receptive to new ways of owning art and were curious about the story behind the work.
Noting the shift in the art world, the family took a new approach to the way their art was marketed. They printed a 5'x4' oil painting on a cup, then a phone cover, then a tote bag and fashion art statement pieces were born. Barbara's art now emerged from the gallery walls to the street on apparel, tech accessories and home goods.
Alexandra guides the direction of the team in marketing, selling and building the brand from a B2C to include a B2B wholesale offering. For more information: Connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn.
What We Stand For
- What is "Sisumoi"? Sisumoi [see-soo-mwa]. "Sisu" is an ancient Finnish term for a universal capacity to channel a magical source of strength in the face of extreme adversity. It's an empowered action mindset to rise above the challenge no matter what. "Moi" is French for me.
- "Sisumoi": My strength in overcoming adversity to reach my dreams.
- Mission: Our mission is to bring artwork out of the gallery and into the streets to create unique, artistic and trend-setting accessories that bring you inspiration and enjoyment in daily life.
- Vision: Our vision is is that when you buy our products, you are empowering yourself to activate your own gifts.
- Our Brand Promise: With 40 years of fashion trend-setting success, we are passionate about celebrating the art of fashion illustration and glamour portraiture. When you buy our products, we promise you a fashion art statement piece, that is unique, collectible and historically relevant.
What We Believe
SISUMOI is proud to be a "Shop-for-Good" Organization. Barbara and Alex are dedicated to the arts as well as human and animal welfare issues so a portion of SISUMOI's profits is given to these worthy causes.
Our Core Causes
Animals
A portion of all proceeds is given to supporting the welfare of the subjects of many of our paintings, animals. We are proud to call American Humane our Philanthropic partner honoring our core cause of Animals.
Art
A portion of all proceeds is given to supporting healing through art. We are proud to call Create4Peace our Philanthropic partner honoring our core cause of Art.
Wellness
A portion of all proceeds is given to supporting the welfare of humanity toward self-actualization. We are proud to call Help Heal Humanity our Philanthropic partner honoring our core cause of Wellness.
Where We Have Shown Up
Celebrity Catwalk
Every year animal lovers & tastemakers lend their time & talent by hitting the catwalk for charity, raising funds and awareness for National Animal Rescue. Jamie Foxx, Nicole Richie, and Melissa Rivers are a few of the luminaries who have hosted this fashion show which fuses the worlds of fashion and entertainment unforgettable events. In this episode, host, Stephanie Mattera interviews SISUMOI.
Art Tour International
"The Essence of Beauty" A Solo Exhibition in NYC by Master Artist Barbara Tyler Ahlfield. The exhibit praised fashion, beauty, and glamour, but above all, the internal beauty of the female soul.
The New York Times
Specializing in "image-making" fashion illustration, Barbara has been the lead illustrator for many of the major department stores in the United States for four decades. A partial list of clients include: Coty, Dillards, Foleys, Garfinkels, Hutzlers, Lord&Taylor, Marshall Fields, Marshalls, Nordstrom and John Wanamaker. These department stores printed her illustrations in the weekly paper.
The Washington Post
Specializing in "image-making" fashion illustration, Barbara has been the lead illustrator for many of the major department stores in the United States for four decades. A partial list of clients include: Coty, Dillards, Foleys, Garfinkels, Hutzlers, Lord&Taylor, Marshall Fields, Marshalls, Nordstrom and John Wanamaker. These department stores printed her illustrations in the weekly paper.
The US News
While many conventional artists stick to creating their artwork on canvases and surfaces meant to remain motionless and stationery at home or in galleries, a creative mother and daughter duo is choosing to bring their artistic masterpieces into everything wearable and everyday lifestyle products. This female-driven online retailer is focused on bringing the art scene from the galleries to the streets through their rising brand, SISUMOI...
New York Weekly
Today’s developments in technology have revolutionized the way people approach business space and conduct entrepreneurial ventures. The move from traditional mediums to online channels, in particular, has provided a bridge between enterprises and their intended audience. Sisumoi joined this transition to meet the demands of its customers and provide them with quality and unique pieces featuring and utilizing the works of art of Barbara Tyler Ahlfield, an award-winning artist who happens to have macular degeneration and serves as an inspiration for people facing adversities...
The Roundtable - Entrepreneur Show
Sharifah Hardie, Candidate for 2024 California State Senate District 33, President of the Black Chamber of Commerce – Long Beach Area and an influencer interviews SISUMOI. This Episode was aired on The Roundtable Talk Show, a Business Tips for Entrepreneurs Podcast.
Ten Minutes of Bonding
10 Minutes of Bonding is a short series hosted by Triplemint's Julianne Bond, where she speaks to artisans, business owners and healthcare professionals about what life is like in the era of COVID-19. In this series, Julianne interviews Alexandra & Barbara Ahlfield, Co-Founders of Sisumoi.
Destination Luxury
Destination Luxury features SISUMOI in their annual luxury gift guides.
Art Business News
Featured Top 50 Artists to Watch. Featured Artwork of the Week for "Feline Fashion Harem" and "Moonlight Daiquiri".
Hampton's Pet Magazine
Barbara's debuted a collection entitled "Fashionable People, Fashionable Pets" at Art Expo New York which donated prints to Pet Philanthropy Circle; a charity who honors pet heros annually. Barbara's work was featured in this story and issue of Hampton's Pet Magazine.
Chicago Tribune
Specializing in "image-making" fashion illustration, Barbara has been the lead illustrator for many of the major department stores in the United States for four decades. A partial list of clients include: Coty, Dillards, Foleys, Garfinkels, Hutzlers, Lord&Taylor, Marshall Fields, Marshalls, Nordstrom and John Wanamaker. These department stores printed her illustrations in the weekly paper.
Art Expo New York
Barbara Tyler Ahlfield, Interview with Rick Barnett, Managing Director of Art Expo New York. Welcome to the Artexpo New York video archives. Dig in to our exclusive interviews with artists, galleries and publishers.
Art Tour International
ArtTour International Magazine presents Artist Barbara Tyler Ahlfield. Enjoy this interview as ATIM Editor-in-Chief, international art personality Viviana Puello shares the story in a heartfelt interview.
Pet Life Radio
Mother/daughter partners, Barbara and Alexandra Ahlfield, created an unusual brand that brings Barbara’s vibrant fine art (often including animals) together with Alexandra’s keen marketing sensibilities. SisuMoi celebrates strong women; is about empowering women. Discover your SisuMoi - what does that mean? - about the beautiful objects they offer and the stories behind the pieces.
Bark & Swagger
The bond we have with our pets is captured exquisitely in fine artist, Barbara Tyler Ahlfield’s Fashionable People, Fashionable Pets, a series featuring people from her life and their beloved animals. See what she does and hear the great stories about her inspirations! Magical wonder is the world fine artist, Barbara Tyler Ahlfield, conjures in her newest collection, Fashionable People, Fashionable Pets. Fresh from a solo exhibitor’s spot at New York’s ArtExpo 2015, and named a Top Emerging Artist of 2014 by Art Business News, Tyler Ahlfield is garnering attention in her newly chosen arena.
