Sometimes a label just bubbles up from nowhere. No big ad campaign, no fancy boutique, no PR machine, no celebrity-lined runway at fashion week. But everybody ends up wearing it anyway. That’s how it’s been for Black Milk, the label James Lillis founded on just six Australian bucks when he found himself down on his luck but with a burning urge to “sew something” back in 2009.
Fast-forward to now and his online-only store ships his cult printed leggings, mini dresses and swimmers to hip chicks across the globe. We know this because we’ve seen them on said hip chicks, and because he tells his inspiring story on his website. We also had a few questions of our own for the man who says he feels like “the guy with the coolest job in the world.”
BLACK MILK SOUNDS LIKE SOME KIND OF MAGIC POTION. OR IS IT A COCKTAIL?
“Depends on what day of the week! Mondays we need our magic potions, Fridays it’s time for a few nylon cocktails!”
THE STORY BEHIND YOUR BRAND READS LIKE TOTAL SERENDIPITY. DOES IT EVER FEEL LIKE THE GREAT LEGGINGS GOD IN THE SKY WAS USING YOU TO DO HIS WORK?
“It’s a possibility! God looked down and could no longer bear the sight of ill-fitting cotton leggings…seems legit! Mostly though, I think it’s just determination: once I decide to do a thing, the thing gets dome – no matter how unlikely it seems!”
DO YOU WEAR YOUR OWN LEGGINGS, AND HOW DO YOU STYLE THEM?
“I’m not a leggings-wearing man, but lots of guys rock them with a real street style – big kicks, oversized tees and snapbacks. It’s a nice change from oversized jeans, I think! All the girls here at BMHQ rock the leggings almost every day as well!”
GIVE US A COUPLE OF YOUR DREAM CELEBRITY + LEGGING COMBOS
“I get more of a kick out of seeing non-celebrities rocking Black Milk gear and feeling like a million dollars :) We love it when girls tell us how much of a confidence boost they get just from slipping on their new pair of leggings!”
Jim, our Burning Man wardrobe will be forever in your debt. Numi x
All the styles below are available for worldwide shipping at www.blackmilkclothing.com. @BlackMilkTweets
