Catching up with Boys Lie Founders, Tori Robinson and Leah O’Malley
From PA to L.A., these best friends turned pain into funds.
Cult-fav streetwear brand, Boys Lie, is the one-stop shop for Elevated one-of-a-kind pieces at an affordable price point. Boys Lie has been seen on the likes of Ming Lee Simmons, Gigi Hadid, and more – the brand’s signature pieces include classic tee’s, hoodies, and accessories featuring the brand’s iconic logo.
We catch up with Boss-babes/founders of Boys Lie, Tori Robinson, and Leah O’Malley, and chat all about their booming Business, their new Collection, and more! Read our full interview below and shop Boys Lie HERE.
Featured Interview:
HOW IS YOUR CREATIVITY DISRUPTING THE CULTURE OF STREETWEAR FOR WOMEN?
L: I wouldn’t consider our brand to be bound by just streetwear for women. I think that’s what makes it more forward-thinking than other streetwear brands out there. For instance- there’s HypeBeast (men) and HypeBae (women), and we are a balance of both.
T: Leah and I have been refocusing our attention on being more face-forward with Boys Lie, like how we used to be when we first started. The brand is taking a shift and we are using the Boys Lie podcast to give it a voice. This is not just a voice for Leah and me, but a voice for the community of people who are learning how to heal. For those who don’t know about the podcast, we have been taking heartbreak story submissions (via email at podcast@boyslieofficial.com) and anonymously reading our followers’ relationship situations. It’s been a wild platform for us and a great outlet for the Boys Lie Family. You can listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to your podcasts.
WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND BOYS LIE?
T&L: We grew up living down the street from one another, in the same suburban town in Philadelphia. In the summer of 2016, we found ourselves going through the same thing: a big breakup with a serious boyfriend, and our exes just happened to be best friends. We found solace in each other’s company and coined the phrase “Boys Lie” as a daily mantra to uplift and help us move forward. We turned our heartbreak into a business venture, founding Boys Lie in 2018!
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LIE A MAN HAS TOLD YOU, OR BETTER YET A FUCK BOY?
Tori: That he loves me.
Leah: “I’m single”.
5 WAYS TO CATCH A BOY IN A LIE
- If he’s consistently hiding his phone from you or if he doesn’t want you to see what he’s doing, that should raise some major concerns and is a red flag.
- When he only wants to chat via Snapchat or IG DMs/ Any app that disappears any sort of conversation or pics.
- If he only communicates with you at certain times during the day.
- See if he’s still subscribed to dating apps.
- If you have been dating consistently but he has never invited you over to his place.
-Tori and Leah
WHAT ITEM FROM THE NEW COLLECTION IS A MUST FOR ALL US GIRLIES?
Tori: This one is a hard one for both of us. I definitely want to say I love any of the zip-ups/ripped flair pants we are dropping. You can find them in the Smitten Set, Your Creation Set or Electric Love set. I literally wore the samples for 2 months until Leah forced me to stop.
Leah: I think it’s safe to say that we are both obsessed with this collection and every piece in it. If I had to pick one “must-have” I would say the Electric Love graphic is the way to go.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO FASHION?
T&L: Believe it or not, Boys Lie started as a makeup brand, and let’s just say we failed…miserably. Coming from Wayne, Pennsylvania with no influence on the LA area, we were both extremely naive to think that we would be the next Kylie Cosmetics. During the time that we launched, we had two “merch” pieces we created in hopes that these items would help get the Boys Lie name out there. The “merch” completely sold out while the makeup continued to collect dust in our warehouse. After that, we started getting reachouts on our Instagram because everyone was dying to know where they could purchase the Boys Lie clothing. With that demand, we decided to pivot and change our entire business around to be clothing-focused and the rest is history. *Tori went to ASU and majored in Creative Writing with a focus on poetry and Leah went to Boulder and studied communications.*
WHO WAS THE FIRST CELEB TO WEAR THE COLLECTION, HOW DID THEY GET IT AND WHAT WAS THE FEELING OF BEING A CELEB IT GIRL BRAND?
T&L: There are a few. Ming Lee Simmons, Delilah Belle, and Gigi Hadid. Ming and Delilah had reached out directly via DM’s. Regarding Gigi, we blindly shipped a gift box to her stylist, Mimi Cutrell. We had no idea what the outcome would be. We were 2 months away from shutting down Boys Lie entirely when Gigi walked out head to toe in NYC after her breakup with Tyler Cameron. It was one of the most out-of-body experiences Leah and I both had. Seeing it on her somehow gave Boys Lie the validation we knew we needed in the space. When she wore the Good Bye Set, the brand blew up overnight– and then when COVID hit, it just exploded. We haven’t stopped working since.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES?
T: My parents and grandparents.
L: My entire family 🙂
WHAT MAKES A BOSS BITCH?
T: Leah and I would never have our employees try or do something that we haven’t done ourselves. It’s important to show leadership skills not just by spewing demands from your team but really getting in the trenches with them and showing them how to see something through from start to finish.
L: It’s a tough world out there and you will find that a lot of workplaces are male-dominated. I think a “Boss Bitch” is anyone who can handle the curveballs, failures, wins, and losses with their head held high and determination to push forward.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THIS NEW COLLECTION?
T&L: The October collection is an initial rebrand for us. There’s a newness and elevation to what we’re doing and it shows in the developed product down to the digital product images. You can see it yourself @boyslie on Instagram.
