How ‘Mrs. Momma Bear’ Is Turning Athleisure Into The New Business Chic
In the heart of San Antonio and the luxury of Aspen, Lee Evans Lee remains a leader in fashion revolution with her “Mrs. Momma Bear” label. Fueled by a passion for textiles and fashion, Lee ventured beyond the ranch, channeling her innovative spirit into the creation of Mrs. Momma Bear Workwear. The innovative brand combines the comfort of athleisure wear with elegant wearables optimized with cutting-edge “CLO 3D” technology. Lee’s leadership in her brand aims to empower women by combining elegance with practicality, ensuring they are prepared for both boardrooms and barnyards. This Her Agenda profile expounds on the fashionably successful story of Lee Evans Lee.
Her Agenda: How did you become a fashion designer, and what challenges did you face when launching MMB?
Lee Evans Lee: Well, it definitely was not by trade but by heritage. I grew up half my life working on our family ranch, where we were known for raising our Angora goats, which is what cashmere is made from. In the summers, my grandmother added a “home ec” component to my upbringing, and part of that was learning how to sew and make patterns. It was then that my skill for sewing began, but it was my lifelong exposure to the textile market through wool and mohair that gave me my fashion designer roots.
There is such a difference between 100% cotton, blends, and the different variations of cashmere—from the quality of the animal and farms to how it’s woven and sewn together—and to me, that’s the beginning of fashion and design. The look is secondary to how the fabric we lay on our skin performs, moves, and fits our bodies. That is why MMB fabric is the backbone of the brand.
If you don’t understand fabrics, their composites, and how they will form as a look, then the result of the dress or suit will have all sorts of flaws, from movement to feel. I think this root of clothing and design has been lost over the years, and it was this textile obsession that began my life as a designer, which was born during the pandemic.
I have lived my whole life in the best designers. I was taught how to sew those garments, and I also raise the animals that produce one of the finest textiles—mohair. During the pandemic, I saw that there was no bridge between athletic fabric and luxury tailoring, and that was the beginning.
Her Agenda: How has design technology like “CLO 3D” played a role in the development of your apparel line and its mission?
Lee Evans Lee: After fabric, fit across all sizes was my main goal, and technology—including CLO 3D—has certainly helped with that, among many other things. One of my frustrations, and I know it’s shared by many others in this online shopping world, is sizing. There is so much variation between brands’ sizes and cuts. I wanted to try to virtually eliminate that for MMB’s customers, and we’ve done that.
Using this technology allowed me to eliminate human error in samples. What I mean by that is when I created the first line, my base measurements were made from XS to XL; today, we go up to 2X. Once the MMB customer has found their size, from collection to collection, it never changes, and technology allows for the eradication of error from line to line. I want a couple of things to be achieved when you are buying the brand: your sizing is always spot-on, and you have a new look that can take you from day to evening. Creating simplification in a woman’s wardrobe has always been a part of the MMB mission as well. How do I not only create ease in the wardrobe choice of the day, but let it begin with the buying process too?
Her Agenda: How does your Texas rancher background influence your designs?
Lee Evans Lee: Class. That is the major influence. If you walk onto any ranch in the state of Texas—mind you, while working too, in the pens or on a horse—true, timeless class is always exuded. Every day, when I draw on this spirit of class and attention to detail, which is always timeless, it is the feeling I pour into my designs.
Her Agenda: How do you envision MMB and activewear comfort making an impact on the fashion industry?
Lee Evans Lee: The impact of the fashion I am creating is already being felt, bringing back the glamour of the everyday dress while preserving the comfort we love about athletic wear.
Her Agenda: What advice do you want to share to girls looking to break into different parts of the fashion industry?
Lee Evans Lee: Do not let others tell you what to do with your dreams. Every dream I have made true has taken tons of hard work, so don’t give up and don’t stop. And learn—learn—learn. There is so much that goes into one piece of clothing, so dig deep and learn about all of those facets. Innovation is what keeps us alive, and no idea is too small.
