By Eileen Oldfield Staff Writer
It took repeated questions about being a new mother for Hillsborough “mommy of three” Marlo Moleski to create clothes that explained it all and her own company, Lucky Me Tee, to sell clothing emblazoned with “Mommy of” one, two, three, four or five.
”The day I actually decided to create this company was when I was at my daughter’s cheerleading practice,” Ms. Moleski said. “I heard all of the mothers asking each other the same question everyone had always asked me, ‘Is this your only child?’ ‘How many kids do you have?’ That was it! Being a graphic designer myself and now a stay-at-home mom, I decided to design my own shirts.”
Initially starting her line with a simple V-neck T-shirt, Ms. Moleski quickly branched in to hooded sweatshirts, then tote bags, tank tops, and T-shirts for newborns to two year-olds.
The figure-flattering design and colors that can be worn with anything adds to the clothes’ appeal, Ms. Moleski said.
”I wanted to create shirts that told your story and made you look good, too,” Ms. Moleski said. “This line is a young, fresh, stylish take on the ‘basic Mommy tee.”
Formerly a graphic designer for Arista Records, Ms. Moleski designed shirts, hats and mugs for artists on the record label. Her background in graphic design helped her create several designs for her clothing line; she picked the final design because of its modern feel.
”I liked the young fresh look of this design and it was something that I would wear,” Ms. Moleski said. “As soon as I did this design I knew it was the one.”
Launched in November 2007, the line took off after Ms. Moleski presented the shirts at the FAME fashion trade show in the Jacob Javits Center in New York in May.
Hoping that five stores would pick up the line, 18 retailers including four stores in New Jersey picked up Lucky Me Tee.
In New Jersey, Pop In Please, in Franklin Lakes, Bellezza Boutique in Turnersville, Divine Obsessions in Manalapan, and the Birth Boutique in Denville carry Ms Moleski’s shirts. In addition, the shirts can be ordered off Ms. Moleski’s Web site, www.luckymetee.com.
Ms. Moleski plans to attend another trade show next month to appeal to more stores.
Though she’s not planning additional clothing lines, Ms. Moleski hopes to expand the Lucky Me Tee line.
”I think what is different about my shirts is that they are a stylish, fresh, new way for the Moms of today to show that you can be a Mom and still look good,” Ms. Moleski said. “I think it’s great when people are proud of who they are.”
