Sewn by MOB: Stitching together a new era of representation

Phoebe Blogg Published July 31, 2026 at 11.30am (AWST)

fashion

Model: Yazmin Cameirao (Larrakia) | MUA & Creator: Ash Major (Waluwarra) | Creative Director: Jade Leaman (Latje Latje) | Photographer: Catherine Jane Hardinge

Sewn by MOB, founded in 2025 by proud Latje Latje woman Jade Leaman, is already making waves in First Nations fashion.

"Sewn by MOB is a fashion initiative I founded with the aim of it becoming a platform for creative mob to connect with each other on photoshoots, and create a community that supports the vision of creating more indigenous representation within fashion," Leaman told Style Up.

"Sewn by MOB started with my first idea of wanting to create fashion workshops for youth, but then I began to lean towards what I had always loved doing, which was photoshoots."

Currently, a second-year fashion student at UTS, Leaman said she is working toward becoming a creative director within the fashion industry, and "doing multiple internships to support this journey as well".

*Creative Director and Founder of Sewn by Mob: Jade Leaman (Latje Latje) (Image: Supplied)*

She said while Sewn by MOB is "aimed towards the fashion industry" generally, it has a particular focus on "the Indigenous talented designers and creatives within the fashion industry (who) haven't had the opportunity to collaborate within a photoshoot space".

"I think it is incredibly important and essential to have diversity within the fashion industry," she said.

"I personally always believe there is always more we can do, and the fashion industry is far from perfect. I believe Indigenous designers can be placed in this invisible but very real box.

"That predetermines how we must design and create in order to be considered Indigenous designers. I'm currently working on an article I hope to publish on this very same topic.

"Through Sewn by MOB, a goal of mine is to become educated on the level of existing opportunities for mob as well as my own cultural identity and how I could better support the First Nations fashion community through Sewn by MOB."

Models: Yazmin Cameirao (Larrakia) & Ash Major (Waluwarra) | MUA & Creator: Ash Major (Waluwarra | Creative Director: Jade Leaman (Latje Latje) | Designer of Lychee Alkira: Renee Hendersen (Wiradjuri) | Photographer: Row Lily Ahern

Model: Ash Major (Waluwarra) | MUA & Creator: Ash Major (Waluwarra | Creative Director: Jade Leaman (Latje Latje) | Designer of Lychee Alkira: Renee Hendersen (Wiradjuri) | Photographer: Row Lily Ahern

The creative aims to further grow Sewn By MOB's presence within the fashion industry as well as online.

"I'm so passionate about photoshoots and creating photoshoots that mean something, and create positive change for the fashion industry," she said.

"Art, culture and connection is what makes us human, and I want to be in a career that intertwines both culture and fashion.

"I want to continue sharing our story and projects through fashion magazines and media, showing First Nations people that there is a space for us on the main runways and main stages of the fashion industry."

Leaman is also passionate about exploring her own culture and heritage.

"I am on a journey of learning more about my Aboriginal culture, as I grew up extremely disconnected and have always felt a part of my identity missing," she said.

"I'm deeply passionate about intertwining myself further into the community and learning more traditions and history.

"I'm also going to be working towards producing a photoshoot every month.

"My next steps are for the website to launch, to continue doing photoshoots and growing the teams in the process. In the next few months, I'm excited to see where we grow organically.

"I'm so incredibly grateful for the beautiful people I've met and learnt from."

Speaking on a recent photoshoot which saw Sewn By Mob feature several other First Nations creatives, Leaman spoke on how joining forces and creating opportunities is what Sewn By Mob is all about.

"It's always so fulfilling working alongside incredible First Nations talent; I always feel so honoured when people give up the time to help Sewn by MOB's visions come to life," she said.

An advocate for fashion and First Nations peoples, Jade Leaman is building a business model that is set to impact and influence the industry.

"I'm so grateful for the community Sewn by MOB is creating and all of the amazing designers, models and creative talent who make the creative projects possible," she said.