Meet Marie Lee Guilbert of Las Vegas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Lee Guilbert.

Hi Marie Lee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Before becoming a business owner, I am first and foremost a circus artist. From a very young age, I was captivated by the world of circus. A conventional career path never resonated with me—it was always clear that I wanted to pursue something extraordinary, to perform on the most prestigious stages around the world.

At 21, I graduated from circus school in Québec City and began my professional career with Cirque du Soleil. Joining the company was a childhood dream come true. One belief has guided me ever since: never stop dreaming, and always aim higher than what feels possible.

After several years of touring, my stage partner and I began to crave new challenges. We wanted to create something of our own—something that could contribute to the circus community, bring people together, and support artists in a meaningful way. That’s when we founded Design KontroL.

The journey was anything but smooth. We made mistakes, solved problems, and learned constantly along the way. Being surrounded by artists from all over the world—each with their own story and ambition—was incredibly inspiring. The circus world is filled with driven, creative individuals, and it has been a privilege to grow alongside them.

At the same time, I’ve always been very aware of the financial realities behind creative careers. Building a business involves risk, and for me, it was important to create stability alongside that. Over the years, I’ve invested in real estate and now own a dozen rental properties across Canada and the United States. It’s a different kind of discipline, but one that complements entrepreneurship—building long-term security while still allowing me to take creative risks.

For the first five years, we balanced touring full-time while building the business. It was intense. I remember sketching legging designs backstage, sitting on a costume road case just minutes before going on stage. We traveled with half of our inventory in a van, while the rest was stored in a warehouse in Canada. It was chaotic—but also exciting and deeply rewarding.

In 2021, we moved to Las Vegas, which allowed us to establish a proper office and bring more structure to the company. Since then, the brand has continued to grow. Today, it is well known within the circus community and is now expanding beyond it.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If it had been a smooth road, it probably wouldn’t have been worth doing.

Building Design KontroL while maintaining a full-time career as a performer—especially after starting with Cirque du Soleil—meant constantly living between two demanding worlds. One of the biggest challenges was simply time and energy. Performing at a high level requires full physical and mental focus, and at the same time, a business demands consistency, structure, and long-term thinking. There were moments where it felt like we were doing two full-time jobs at once.

In the early years, logistics were also a major struggle. We didn’t have a proper setup—we were designing backstage, managing orders from the road, carrying inventory in a van, and coordinating the rest from a warehouse in Canada. It wasn’t efficient, but we made it work. Looking back, those limitations forced us to become very resourceful.

Another challenge was learning everything from scratch. We had no formal background in business, so every step—production, pricing, branding, distribution—came with a learning curve. We made mistakes, sometimes costly ones, but each one pushed us to improve and refine the brand.

There’s also the emotional side of it. When you build something that is yours, every decision feels personal. There are moments of doubt, especially when things don’t go as planned. But at the same time, those moments are what shape your vision and resilience.

So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road—but it’s been a meaningful one. Every challenge has played a role in building not just the company, but who we are as creators and entrepreneurs today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I’m most proud of is my ability to set a goal—and truly commit to it, no matter how unrealistic it may seem to others. From a young age, I was often questioned about my choices by family, friends, and even teachers. I didn’t have the “ideal” circus body or the perfect lines. I struggled with dance, and acting didn’t come naturally either. By traditional standards, I didn’t quite fit the mold.

So how did I make it? I was deeply passionate—and I chose to lean into that. Instead of trying to fit into someone else’s definition of what a circus artist should be, I focused on creating something that felt authentic to me. I found my own way of moving, performing, and connecting with an audience. Over time, I realized that one of the greatest strengths of circus is that it allows space for individuality—for artists to carve their own path and stand out because of it, not in spite of it.

I remember a dance teacher once telling me I would never work for Cirque du Soleil because I didn’t know how to move my body properly. That moment stayed with me—but not in the way you might expect. It became proof that if you stay open, keep working, and trust your own path, you can redefine what’s possible for yourself.

That mindset is exactly what I brought into building Design KontroL. Many people told us it wouldn’t work. And honestly, I understand why—it’s not a traditional path. But when you believe strongly in something, you learn to filter the noise. You listen to those who support you, and more importantly, you trust your own vision.

Today, my work with Design KontroL goes far beyond creating apparel. We design performance wear specifically for artists—pieces that are made to move, to endure, and to support the body at a high level. I’m involved in the creative direction, product development, and overall vision of the brand. Every piece is influenced by real experience on stage: what feels good, what lasts, what makes an artist feel confident.

What sets us apart is that we are part of the community we design for. We understand the demands of performance because we live them. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality, durability, and identity. We want artists to feel strong, comfortable, and seen in what they wear.

More than anything, I’m proud that we’ve built something that reflects who we are—not just as performers, but as creators. A brand that started backstage, on the road, with very little structure, and has grown into something recognized within—and now beyond—the circus world.

What are your plans for the future?
The future for me is about continuing to grow in both worlds that define who I am: performing and building Design KontroL.

On stage, I am still performing every day, and that remains a huge part of my identity. I have very clear goals there—to keep refining our act, pushing the level of difficulty, and evolving artistically. In circus, you never truly “arrive.” There is always a way to make something more precise, more original, more impactful. I am also looking forward to developing new material and creating a new act that reflects how we’ve grown over the years.

At the same time, I am very focused on the future of Design KontroL. The brand has grown organically within the circus community, and now I am ready to expand beyond it. One of our main goals is to reach a wider audience—dancers, athletes, and performers from different disciplines—while staying true to my roots.

I am also working on developing new product lines, improving production, and creating a stronger structure behind the brand. Moving to Las Vegas allowed us to build a proper foundation, and now it’s about scaling in a thoughtful way. I want to grow without losing the authenticity that made people connect with us in the first place.

Another exciting direction for me is building more of a community around the brand—through collaborations, events, and creating opportunities for artists to connect and share their work. Design KontroL has always been about more than clothing; it’s about identity, movement, and expression.

There aren’t any drastic changes—we’re not stepping away from performing anytime soon—but there is definitely evolution. The goal is to keep pushing forward, both on stage and in business, and to see how far we can take both.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.design-kontrol.com
• Instagram: @design.kontrol, @marielee.guilbert

Image Credits
Philippe Belanger. He is the co owner of design kontrol, there is no need to credit.