Leah McSweeney
Encyclopedia
Leah McSweeney is the founder and CEO of the female "Married to the MOB" (MTTM) clothing line.
McSweeney has been included in many publications, such as Elle Girl
, Inked (magazine)
, Complex (magazine), Elle (magazine)
, Vogue (magazine)
, Hypebeast, Essence (magazine)
, Paper (magazine)
, URB (magazine), Teen Vogue
and Nylon (magazine)
.
, whose alumni includes Paris
and Nicky Hilton
, and Lady Gaga
. Afterwards, Leah’s family moved to Newtown, Connecticut
where she ran away every weekend to get back to her NYC roots. Once Leah finished high school, she moved back to the Big Apple and studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology
for a short time before calling it quits.
In 2004, tired of seeing guys having the coolest gear and brands, Leah had the successful idea of creating her own female clothing line "Married to the MOB". Leah used her settlement of $
75,000 (from a law suit stemming from a police officer attack) to jump-start her idea. She bought an Apple computer and painted her Spring Street apartment walls pink.
Leah’s apartment became the MTTM headquarters; everyone from Leah's model sister and MOB poster-girl Sarah McSweeney to her teenage friend Tabatha became part of the crew. The clothing line grew from there, and Leah switched her headquarters to the Empire State Building
.
The bold statements on its graphic tees
, such as "Supreme Bitch" and "New York needs Peter Gatien
”, have become the brand's trademark. The tagline “Men are the new women” from a MOB campaign was used in conjunction with the TV show "Big Shots
".
MOB's hands bikini with graffiti artist Kaws was a stepping-stone for Leah's company. With the suit's handprints boldly placed on every guy’s favorite spots on a girl’s body, this product is one of the most-recognisable MOB collaborations. Various collaborations followed in 2007, notably with the German accessory house MCM and a MOB and Kangol
cashmere 'beanie
' cap.
Leah's love for France enabled her to meet graffiti artist Fafi, who helped design and model for the '07 Spring/Summer campaign. French avant-garde boutique Colette
collaborated with MOB on Reebok
lip print sneakers, that sold out online in 23 minutes. MOB teamed up with Nike
in November 2008 on a white tweed and black patent 'dunk'
shoe. The MOB girls introduced a denim line, as well as cut and sew, for Winter 2008. February 2009 brought 'KRINK Inks' and MOB together, and they co-branded a Valentine's Day pack.
In Spring 2009, the first wave of the collection was a collaboration with the Chicago rapper Kid Sister
. MOB's second wave saw the brand working with artist Jessy Kennedy, aka The Nite Rider, who added her naughty illustrations to a classically controversial MOB shirt. With the 50th Anniversary of Barbie
in March 2009, the Colette boutique continued its relationship with MOB with a commemorative tee.
, multi-talented artist Fergie, singer Lady Gaga
, model Doutzen Kroes, musician Kid Sister, and rapper Lady Sovereign
.
In 2010, McSweeney appeared as a client on an episode of Millionaire Matchmaker
titled “Opposites Don’t Attract" on Bravo (US TV channel).
McSweeney has been included in many publications, such as Elle Girl
Elle Girl
Elle Girl was the largest older-teen fashion and beauty magazine brand in the world with 12 editions and supplements worldwide. Launched in August 2001, it was the younger sibling to Elle magazine, and similarly focused on beauty, health, entertainment and looked at daring fashion—its slogan: "Dare...
, Inked (magazine)
Inked (magazine)
Inked is a high-end glossy tattoo lifestyle magazine that debuted in late 2004 and was published quarterly for one year. In 2006, the magazine was purchased by Downtown Media Group but never published an issue. Donald Hellinger, president of Nylon Holding, Inc. publisher of Nylon magazine, acquired...
, Complex (magazine), Elle (magazine)
Elle (magazine)
Elle is a worldwide magazine of French origin that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Elle is also the world's largest fashion magazine. It was founded by Pierre Lazareff and his wife Hélène Gordon in 1945. The title, in French, means "she".-History:Elle was founded in...
, Vogue (magazine)
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
, Hypebeast, Essence (magazine)
Essence (magazine)
Essence is a monthly magazine for African-American women between the ages of 18 and 49. The magazine covers fashion, lifestyle and beauty with an intimate girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone.-History:...
, Paper (magazine)
Paper (magazine)
Paper magazine is a New York City–based independent magazine covering and discovering cultural movements with a focus on fashion, design, pop-culture, nightlife, music, art and film. The magazine covers trends, new creative talent, urban American lifestyle as well as international lifestyles and...
, URB (magazine), Teen Vogue
Teen Vogue
Teen Vogue magazine began as a version of Vogue magazine for teenage girls. This US magazine focuses on fashion and celebrities and offers information about the latest entertainment and feature stories on current issues and events.- Description :...
and Nylon (magazine)
Nylon (magazine)
Nylon is an American magazine that focuses on pop culture and fashion. Its coverage includes art, beauty, music, design, celebrities, technology and travel...
.
Early life
Her early years were spent in New York City until she was thrown out in eighth grade from an all girls Catholic school, Convent of the Sacred HeartConvent of the Sacred Heart (New York)
The Convent of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic all-girl school in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Teaching grades from pre-kindergarten through twelve, it is located on Manhattan's Upper East Side at East 91st Street and Fifth Avenue....
, whose alumni includes Paris
Paris Hilton
Paris Whitney Hilton is an American businesswoman, heiress, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton . Hilton is known for her controversial participation in a sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood...
and Nicky Hilton
Nicky Hilton
Nicholai Olivia "Nicky" Hilton is an American businesswoman, fashion model, socialite, celebutante, heiress and fashion designer. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton and younger sister of Paris Hilton....
, and Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
. Afterwards, Leah’s family moved to Newtown, Connecticut
Newtown, Connecticut
Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 27,560 at the 2010 census. Newtown was founded in 1705 and incorporated in 1711.-Government:...
where she ran away every weekend to get back to her NYC roots. Once Leah finished high school, she moved back to the Big Apple and studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology
Fashion Institute of Technology
The Fashion Institute of Technology, generally known as FIT, is a State University of New York college of art, business, design, and technology connected to the fashion industry, with an urban campus located on West 27th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in the Chelsea neighborhood of...
for a short time before calling it quits.
In 2004, tired of seeing guys having the coolest gear and brands, Leah had the successful idea of creating her own female clothing line "Married to the MOB". Leah used her settlement of $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
75,000 (from a law suit stemming from a police officer attack) to jump-start her idea. She bought an Apple computer and painted her Spring Street apartment walls pink.
Leah’s apartment became the MTTM headquarters; everyone from Leah's model sister and MOB poster-girl Sarah McSweeney to her teenage friend Tabatha became part of the crew. The clothing line grew from there, and Leah switched her headquarters to the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
.
MTTM collaborations and beyond
T-shirt
A T-shirt is a style of shirt. A T-shirt is buttonless and collarless, with short sleeves and frequently a round neck line....
, such as "Supreme Bitch" and "New York needs Peter Gatien
Peter Gatien
Peter Gatien was the owner of several New York nightclubs, including The Limelight, Palladium, Club USA, and Tunnel. He was once dubbed as the "King of New York Clubs", during his time in New York City.-Life and career:...
”, have become the brand's trademark. The tagline “Men are the new women” from a MOB campaign was used in conjunction with the TV show "Big Shots
Big Shots (TV series)
Big Shots is an American television drama created and executive produced by Jon Harmon Feldman. The pilot was directed by Charles McDougall.-History:...
".
MOB's hands bikini with graffiti artist Kaws was a stepping-stone for Leah's company. With the suit's handprints boldly placed on every guy’s favorite spots on a girl’s body, this product is one of the most-recognisable MOB collaborations. Various collaborations followed in 2007, notably with the German accessory house MCM and a MOB and Kangol
Kangol
Kangol is a British clothing company famous for its headwear.Founded in Cleator, Cumbria, England in 1938 by Jaques Spreiregen, Kangol produced hats for workers, golfers, and especially soldiers...
cashmere 'beanie
Beanie
A beanie is a head-hugging brimless cap with or without a visor that was once popular among school boys.-Description:In the United States of America, beanies are made by triangular sections of cloth joined by a button at the crown and seamed together around the sides.They can also be made from...
' cap.
Leah's love for France enabled her to meet graffiti artist Fafi, who helped design and model for the '07 Spring/Summer campaign. French avant-garde boutique Colette
Colette (boutique)
Colette is a concept store and the preeminent Parisian fashion and style boutique founded in March 1997 by Colette Roussaux and her daughter, Sarah Lerfel. It is located at no...
collaborated with MOB on Reebok
Reebok
Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
lip print sneakers, that sold out online in 23 minutes. MOB teamed up with Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
in November 2008 on a white tweed and black patent 'dunk'
Dunk (footwear)
The Dunk was first introduced by Nike, Inc. in 1985. As the Nike Terminator’s "fraternal twin", originally having numerous colors in most sizes for various Universities and Colleges...
shoe. The MOB girls introduced a denim line, as well as cut and sew, for Winter 2008. February 2009 brought 'KRINK Inks' and MOB together, and they co-branded a Valentine's Day pack.
In Spring 2009, the first wave of the collection was a collaboration with the Chicago rapper Kid Sister
Kid Sister
Melisa Young better known by her stage name Kid Sister, is a rap artist based in Chicago, Illinois, well known for her single "Pro Nails", featuring Kanye West.-Background:Melisa Young was born July 3, 1980 in Markham, Illinois...
. MOB's second wave saw the brand working with artist Jessy Kennedy, aka The Nite Rider, who added her naughty illustrations to a classically controversial MOB shirt. With the 50th Anniversary of Barbie
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
in March 2009, the Colette boutique continued its relationship with MOB with a commemorative tee.
Seen and heard
MTTM clothing has been seen on many musicians and celebrities. The line has been worn by rapper UffieUffie
Anna-Catherine Hartley , better known by her stage name Uffie , is a Paris-based underground electronic musician, rapper, fashion designer and socialite signed to French electronic music record label Ed Banger Records. She has been described as a muse for French DJs, and is known for working with...
, multi-talented artist Fergie, singer Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
, model Doutzen Kroes, musician Kid Sister, and rapper Lady Sovereign
Lady Sovereign
Louise Amanda Harman , better known by the stage name Lady Sovereign, is an English rapper & grime artist. She is noted for her professional success in performing styles of music generally dominated by males...
.
In 2010, McSweeney appeared as a client on an episode of Millionaire Matchmaker
Millionaire Matchmaker
Millionaire Matchmaker is a television series produced by Bravo and presented by Patti Stanger. Stanger founded the Beverly Hills-based "Millionaire's Club" in 2000 to cater to wealthy men looking for partners...
titled “Opposites Don’t Attract" on Bravo (US TV channel).
See also
- List of American fashion designers
- List of fashion topics
- Married to the MobMarried to the MobMarried to the Mob is a 1988 American comedy film directed by Jonathan Demme, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Modine.Michelle Pfeiffer, in something of a departure from her previous roles, gave an acclaimed lead performance as a gangster's widow from Brooklyn, opposite Matthew Modine as the...
, American film (unrelated)