DEEPCOVER – So we’re here at the MAGIC clothing convention with Leah McSweeney, the owner of the clothing line Married to the MOB.
Leah (MTTM) – Hello
DEEPCOVER – So you claim to be the first women’s street wear brand. That’s a bold statement Leah, lets hear more?
Leah (MTTM) – It is a bold statement, haha. Well i’m going to say this, I wasn’t the first girl to be making t-shirts obviously because you have brands such as xgirl and triple 5 soul, but in this generation with these brands, yes I was the first. Besides its not about who’s first, its about who’s doing it the best haha and that’s definitely what im doing.
DEEPCOVER – Alright that’s cool, so how did the collaboration with Uffie come about, as far as getting her to do your lookbook.
Leah (MTTM) – You guys like her huh, I can tell haha, well Fafi from France introduced me to her and now Anna and me are mad tight. Shes like my little sister.
DEEPCOVER – So you originally started Married to the MOB in New York?
Leah (MTTM)-Yup
DEEPCOVER-What’s the story behind the name?
Leah (MTTM) – Because when I started the brand, I didn’t have a job, and you could say that I had the MOB lifestyle haha. I would chill with the retail mafia, like ALIFE, JMONEY, SUR, and we were the only girl brand, so it made sense. “MOB” most official bitches haha.
DEEPCOVER – So what’s your inspiration when you design?
Leah (MTTM) – I have a designer that I work with. I try not to design stuff just because it will sell, even though I know that’s what your supposed to be doing, but i’ll normally design stuff that I want to wear and I think is dope, and I’m confident that’s the key to success. Success for me is making shit that I believe in, not just because other stores will like it.
DEEPCOVER – So do you make all your own designs?
Leah (MTTM)- Well I’m not formally trained. I don’t actually know how to use illustrator, but I had a graphics person. My boyfriend at the time when I started, owns ALIFE, and he was a big help in getting me started.
DEEPCOVER – As in for the culture that surrounds MOB, what would you say your roots are?
Leah (MTTM) – Well I grew up in Manhattan. I moved out of the city when I was 14 and moved back when I was 18. I grew up shopping on Lafayette St, and shopping at x girl, and going into Supreme; I grew up around all these brands and I fell into it. It was a natural thing, I feel like it was just a group of friends in the city that made clothing and the whole world took notice haha, actually not the whole world, but people in different parts of the world.
DEEPCOVER – So are you ever inspired by any music? What kind of music do you listen to?
Leah (MTTM)- Uhh I don’t really think music inspires that many of my designs, i’m a big fan of M.I.A, I love Nelly Furtado haha, even though its like pop.
DEEPCOVER – Nelly Furtado haha, well I like that one song she did with Portishead.
Leah (MTTM) – Huh which one is that?
DEEPCOVER – Oh wait that’s not Nelly Furtado, thats Natalie Imbruglia fuck you got me. Ok I like one song from Natalie Imbruglia hahah.
Leah (MTTM) – Haha you like Natalie Imbruglia, haha, well she’s cute.
Leah (MTTM) – I listen to like, Big L, Biggie, Jay Z, and Nas.
DEEPCOVER – So what’s your opinion on Uffie and Ed banger?
Leah (MTTM)-Well Ed Banger is like my French family, but as for Uffie I just heard some of her new stuff she’s coming out with. Its way different then her old stuff, I mean I love her old stuff, pop the glock is one of my favorite songs, but her new shit is super fucking cool.
Leah (MTTM) – You guys know she’s having a baby soon?
DEEPCOVER – Yeah we seen the pregnant Uffie photo’s haha.
Leah (MTTM)-She’s going to get back on it and working on her new album soon.
DEEPCOVER- So how did you get into Colette in France?
Leah (MTTM) – Sarah emailed me, and me and her became tight. She’s one of the best people, she’s hooked me up so much and showed me so much love, I love that woman.
DEEPCOVER – Will there be any future releases with the Colette collaborations?
Leah (MTTM) – Yeah I have something coming out but I can’t really talk about it haha.
DEEPCOVER – Ahh dam we almost got an exclusive, well what about the dates?
Leah (MTTM) – Probably November and it will be launched in the U.S and in France at Colete.
DEEPCOVER – So what’s your opinion on other women’s brands? Do you think that they’re pushing the boundaries?
Leah (MTTM) – Hell yeah, look at brands like Hellz Bellz. Her shit is off the hook. Me and her have two totally different directions, but I really respect what she’s doing. She actually inspired me to start doing cut and sew stuff and really get on my shit.
DEEPCOVER – As in for other people within the industry, who do you feel that’s pushing the limits?
Leah (MTTM) – Alife of course, I feel like they’re in a category by themselves, and of course Supreme.
DEEPCOVER – Where would you like to see this industry progress to?
Leah (MTTM) – More money haha, well honestly everyone’s doing a great job. I can’t really talk for the guys brands haha, I just don’t care, button down shirts haha whatever.
DEEPCOVER -What was the pivotal point with Married to the MOB? When were you like, I want to do this forever.
Leah (MTTM)-There were alot. One was when I got pregnant, I was like wow I have to take care of a child, this is serious. That was a major turning point for me.
DEEPCOVER – What advice could you give to up and coming brands?
Leah (MTTM) – You better be ready to be working your ass off, stay up till 5am in the morning, packing boxes, dealing with ups, accounts that wont pay you, setting up photo shoots, production, you don’t know how much work it is until you do it.
DEEPCOVER-Alright this concludes our interview, thank you Leah
Leah (MTTM)-Thank you.
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