“MOB is in a category of its own because of the projects I choose to do, the people I work with, who’s behind the brand, and I keep shit tight!”

Leah McSweeney is a busy young lady. The founder of MOB definitely has it cut out for her running the brand by herself, not to mention taking care of her one-month old daughter, Kier. Somehow, she still managed to set aside time to sit down and answer some of our questions. She gives us her thoughts on the current state of streetwear, tells us about the concept behind the summer line, and shares her newly-found experiences of being a mother. Leah really is the Most Official Bitch…

mashKULTURE: Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do for those who don’t know.

Leah: Leah Christine McSweeney

mashKULTURE: Why did you choose the name Married to the Mob? Anything to do with the flick? Any affiliation to the mafia?

Leah: I didn’t choose the name, the name choose me. For real. Nothing to do with the movie or nuthin like that. My mom’s maiden name is Castellano but we aren’t mafia, or I’d be a rich ass bitch.

mashKULTURE: We know you got into a bit of a scuffle with the cops a few years back, and the settlement you received made it possible to start up MOB. Could you tell us a bit about what happened?

Leah: Yeah pretty much. It’s not how I initially started up the company though. I got the shit beat out of me by some dickless nyc cop in 2001 and won the settlement in 2005, a year after I started MOB. I used that money to hook up an office, get a dope computer and support myself. It really helped not having another job and just focusing on MOB. That shit was priceless. It was worth the broken tooth and black eye.

mashKULTURE: What kind of experiences have you had so far being an independent “bitch” doing your own thing? Are there a lot more shady people in this game than you had imagined?

Leah: Not so much shady people, but the usual fake people. But that’s life I guess. Not everyone is gonna be dope, and that’s a good thing. Cus when I meet those dope people I make them my friends and I stick with them. I don’t fuck with the rest cus I’ve been there and done that. Being an independent bitch that makes things happen is wonderful. I have only had great experiences because even the ones you might consider negative are always a learning experience and that makes it all good.

mashKULTURE: In such a short time, MOB has already managed to make itself well-established. Why do you think you’ve become so successful? What is it that sets MOB apart from other women’s (streetwear) brands?

Leah: That’s a hard question to answer, why MOB has become so successful. First off, in my opinion I don’t see MOB as so successful just yet. But it is totally going there. There is no formula to success. I think it is different for every brand and company. MOB is in a category of its own because of the projects I choose to do, the people I work with, who’s behind the brand, and I keep shit tight!

mashKULTURE: At the pace MOB is growing, how much longer can you see yourself working out of your apartment doing the designing, PR, art directing, shipping, etc… pretty much by yourself?

Leah: Funny you ask. Not much longer! I have my right hand woman Lourdes who helps with a lil bit of everything. I don’t know what I would do without her. I don’t work out of my apartment, thank god. I work out of my old apartment that I turned into an office space but it’s getting too small. Sales are growing so we’ll see what happens. I will always be doing the art directing. No one else will ever do that. Only I know how I want my brand put out there. I can’t front, I have a team of supporters and helpers of course. It’s a small team but we get the job done. But yes, mainly this is all me. That’s how I like it though. Blessed to be stressed.

mashKULTURE: What are you thoughts on the streetwear scene in New York?

Leah: Let’s see. I grew up here and “streetwear” is very different now then what it once was. I remember when Lafeyette St. had only X-Girl, Supreme, Liquid Sky and Smylon Nylon on it. I don’t know. Everything changes, that’s the way shit goes. I really don’t know what to say. All these dudes are straight up bitches, and most of them aint even from New York!!!

mashKULTURE: Would you agree that brands on the east coast tend to be a lot more cliquey than on the west coast? Why do you think is the reason?

Leah: I have no idea. I’ve only been to California once and I hated it. I don’t know what they are like over there. Don’t they all surf and eat In & Out Burger or some shit?? New Yorkers aren’t cliquey… Yorkers, real NY’rs, are the friendliest people in the world.

mashKULTURE: What are your thoughts about streetwear in general nowadays?

Leah: 75% garbage..the other 25% will be the companies that make it…

mashKULTURE: What brands are you feeling lately and what brands are you hating on?

Leah: Feeling- Giles Deacon, Michele Perry, MCM, Balenciaga. Im too busy to hate.

mashKULTURE: We know you have a thing for high fashion. Exactly how did the collaboration with super high-end luxury brand MCM come about?

Leah: My fairy godmother Sarah from Colette who makes my dreams come true hooked it up. She is the bomb. Always lookin out.

mashKULTURE: Speaking of collaborations, you also put out the Kaws bikini last year. Any other collabos we can expect later this year?

Leah: I’m keeping collabs to a minimum and only working with very select companies and people. I get so many requests to “collab” but it has to make sense and be true for it to come out right. Plus it has been a tool for me to separate myself from all the other shit out there. I’m not trying to do what the next brand is doing, I hate when I see a company doing things with a million brands. It’s so boring and repetitive. I try to keep it fresh and suprising.

mashKULTURE: Besides collabs, what can you tell us about upcoming MOB collections? What do you have in store for 2007? Any plans to start up a men’s line down the line?

Leah: Ooooooh a lot of good stuff. I don’t like to talk about things before they happen though. I like to just bang people in the heads with it.

mashKULTURE: What do you know about Hungary? (If you don’t know much, don’t worry. Not many people do.)

Leah: Not much to be honest. But, my friend Shadi went there to visit is friend in Budapest and I saw photos and it looks fucking amazing!! Somewhere I definitely would like to see.

mashKULTURE: The summer collection really does succeed in conveying a summer feel (especially the popsicle and hot dog tops). Could you tell us a bit about the new collection and what thought process went into some of the designs?

Leah: I always stick to the same shit when coming up with designs which is.. like I always say.. putting things out there that I like and want to wear. The popsicle and hot dog tank started as a joke. My sister and Russ have this inside joke thingy that started when we went to Berlin a couple years ago… about a popsicle. So joking around we put it on a tank top thinking we’d erase it and write something else… but then we actually liked it! And then came the idea to put another summer time food on another tank… so we came up with hot dog. It was just me, my sister and my designer hanging out, figuring out the summer line and joking around.. and we came up with some good stuff.

mashKULTURE: Recently, you gave birth to your first child. So, how does it feel to be a mother?

Leah: Pretty unexplainable. Amazing, heavenly, unlike anything else. It’s dope, maybe it’s cus my kid is so damn cute. I just kiss her and stare at her all day. Along with changing shitty diapers and nursing till my nipples are bloody.

mashKULTURE: How does being a mother affect the immediate future of MOB?

Leah: I am very punctual and organized. You should see my planner… I had every day filled with appointments and work right up until my predicted due date. And apparently my daughter is punctual as well cus she came right on her date which is extremely rare. But mind over matter.. I think I completely told my body to do that. But anyways, I got back to work two days after I got out of the hospital with her. I moved into a very big loft so I could work and take care of Kier and it’s working out great. It’s actually fun cus I get to do my two favorite things..take care of Kier and work on MOB! I breastfeed while sending emails. It’s really not all that complicated. My number one priority is her of course. MOB comes second. But luckily I am pretty damn determined and I am blessed with a content and happy baby who lets me get some work done during the day.

mashKULTURE: By naming your daugher after Lady Miss Kier from the seminal ’90s House band, Dee Lite, do you hope your child will emulate what Lady Miss Kier represents?

Leah: I named her after Lady Kier because not only is she an extraordinarliy talented woman, but a fashion icon with a style no one could ever replicate. She is the fuckin realness. To me Lady Kier represents a point in time that is totally unique. It’s not that I want baby Kier to emulate this but more that I wanted her to know she is named after a strong, talented woman who holds a special place in my heart. Funny thing is that recently me and Lady Kier have connected and are working on things together and of course baby Kier has her blessings. That really meant a lot to me.

mashKULTURE: What stories/experiences do you look forward to sharing with your child? What words of wisdom will you hand down?

Leah: Oh shit… I know what stories I won’t be sharing with her!! Haha, just kidding. I’m gonna keep it real with Kier. I have to. I have never been good at hiding things about myself. I have words of wisdom but they are for her ears only of course.

mashKULTURE: Do you have any long term plans for your child’s future? Have you thought about handing down MOB once you choose to call it quits, or would you rather have Kier find her own way?

Leah: Kier is her own person and will surely have her own interests. My only future plans for her are to give her the best life I can and keep her safe, healthy and happy.

mashKULTURE: Leah, thank you for your time.