Meet Fashion Maven Marissa Montgomery
Successful fashion designer and TV presenter Marissa Montgomery is multi-faceted in her success. Based in both London in New York, the style expert has interviewed an array of A-list celebrities such as Christina Ricci and Cara Delevingne, as well as designers Zac Posen and Pamela Love. Additionally, she has been featured in British Vogue, Nylon, Elle Japan, and more top fashion magazines and is a regular attendee of fashion weeks worldwide. In 2014, Montgomery joined forces with renowned artists in order to pursue her next venture: fashion design. Montgomery decided to create a line of ready-to-wear tees and tanks called Rotten Roach that reflects the urban vibe of Manhattan’s city streets. Throughout the years, top models Kate Moss, Heidi Klum, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley have been spotted incorporating items from the collection into their street style. In 2016, Marissa was even named among successful entrepreneurs on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list because of Rotten Roach’s achievements. I got the opportunity to talk to Montgomery about what it feels like to break through in the fashion industry and where she sees herself in the coming years (her response is pretty much guaranteed).
You often travel back and forth between New York and London. What’s the difference between living in those cities in your opinion?
I love both cities. London is where I was born and raised and has a certain charm to it. It seems like a quiet village in comparison to the loud streets in New York. The pace is also much faster in NYC.
Your career has taken you all around the world. What is your favorite place you’ve visited?
L.A. is great. The sunshine encourages you to get up super early and be creative. I also make sweaters in downtown L.A. and love the people I work with there. After a full day at the factory, I get to hit the beach and the hills, which is amazing. I also enjoy hanging out in Laurel Canyon because there’s a good energy there. I get to paint and sketch while listening to Fleetwood Mac.
Rewinding a bit, how did you first get interested in fashion design?
I grew up around it, so it felt natural to me to get involved in the fashion industry later on.
What, specifically, about the fashion industry is most special to you?
You can create anything you want and there’s no right or wrong. I also love how clothes can help you express who you are and what you’re feeling.
How did you come up with the idea to establish your own clothing line, Rotten Roach?
I started it with a friend in NYC. We both live in tees and she’s an art dealer, so we wanted to come up with comfy shirts that look like wearable art.
How does Rotten Roach different from other brands?
The line has a sense of humor to it. We also work with amazing artists on the collections such as Hugo Guinness, Poppy Chancellor, and David King Reuben.
What would you say is the biggest accomplishment of your career to date?
Filming for Extra and having my collection of tees stock at Selfridges.
You were also listed as one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” in 2016. What was your initial reaction when you heard the news?
I felt so grateful to have the support and recognition of Forbes. It gave me more incentive to work even harder in the future.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Wearing a t-shirt.
Follow Marissa on Social Media:
Instagram: @marissamontgomery and @rottenroach
You can shop Rotten Roach at www.rottenroach.com.