Who the F is… James Lillis?

Posted by Jordana Mah on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Read through some of the online interviews and blog musings of Aussie designer James Lillis and you’ll see that he is a rather interesting person. Initially, I thought he was a she, specifically the hot blond Asian chick featured on his blog, Too Many Tights! for women’s clothing line, Black Milk Clothing. I have to admit, I was kinda disappointed that he wasn’t the hot blond Asian chick. Just who is she anyway?? In any case, if you haven’t guessed it, Lillis is the quirky designer behind the cult line from Down Under, Black Milk Clothing.

Leggings have been around for awhile now – certainly long enough to no longer be deemed a trend, but for the most part they are relegated as closet basics and wardrobe sidekicks that complement the edgier tops and shoes that take all the attention. It’s rare to see leggings take central stage, but that is exactly what Lillis had in mind back in 2009 when he first bought a sewing machine to stave off his boredom. His first leggings, called Cages, were an instant hit and Lillis worked his ass off to make his little experiment into a full-time gig. Black Milk’s subsequent popularity is a great example of how the Internet enables artists to be successful on their own terms.

Primarily using his blog and other social networks to promote his designs, Lillis has steadily grown an international cult following for his sexed up, Lady Gaga-style leggings. Each piece is wildly unique - from the well-known galaxy print leggings, to the latest series featuring skeletons and Union Jacks. Think of Black Milk as a little bit Christopher Kane, mixed with American Apparel styling, but at a price point that seems more justifiable than either. If leggings are too passe for you, then check out the smoking printed one-pieces; while actually being fairly demure in terms of skin exposure, these suits would still take some pretty large balls to pull off as the prints vary from manga girl cheekiness to vintage styles that are a straight copy off any hillbilly’s shirt.

Now with a newly official online shop, and an expansion into swimwear, tops, and dresses, Lillis is well on his way to cornering the market for making clothes that appeal to bad (and those who want to be bad) girls everywhere.