My Story...

I come from a family of makers. 

From a very young age, I knew I would one day follow in the footsteps of my mother — a sample maker for a Boston fashion designer — and my grandmother Rosina, an accomplished seamstress whose handcrafted Christening gown was presented to the Vatican in Rome for the baby Jesus. Both women have since passed, but their influence lives on in my hands, my work ethic, and my deep respect for craftsmanship.

I grew up surrounded by fabric, patterns, machines, and skilled hands at work. Creativity, precision, and making things that mattered were part of my everyday world long before I had words for it.

Education, Recognition & Early Career

I received my formal training at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where my talents were recognized through several awards of distinction, including:

• The Massachusetts College of Art and Design Award for Excellence in Design

• The Lord & Taylor Dress Design Competition Scholarship Award 

• An internship with Leslie Fay in New York City.

In 1991, I made my professional debut at the Boston Designers Collaborative Press Expo Fashion Show, presenting a collection that ranged from swimwear and sportswear to evening wear and wedding gowns. My work was reviewed by Boston designer and BDC founder Geoffrey B. Small as:

“Very hip… very original, slick and elegant… tutto perfetto!”

He compared my designs to those of Romeo Gigli, Bill Blass, and Moschino — an affirmation that deeply shaped my confidence as a young designer.

Riding, Leather, and the Birth of Sexy Skins

My passion for leather emerged from my passion for riding.

In 2004, after accomplishing a lifelong dream and earning my motorcycle endorsement, I wanted clothing that reflected how riding made me feel — strong, sensual, free — but what I found didn’t align with my taste or identity. So I did what I had always done: I designed and made my own.

I purchased a leather hide or two, created a few pieces, and wore them to motorcycle events and rallies, never anticipating the response. Women and men alike stopped me to ask where I had bought what I was wearing.

That moment sparked the creation of Sexy Skins Leather in 2006.

What began as leather apparel for women in the riding community quickly evolved into something more refined — sensual yet sophisticated, powerful yet elegant — breaking away from the stereotypical “biker” aesthetic and creating space for leather as high-end wearable art.

A Turning Point: Art as Survival

Soon after the birth of Sexy Skins, my life shifted dramatically.

I encountered a series of deeply personal, life-altering events that brought me to my knees. Humbled, lost, and raising two children on my own, I reached a place where surrender was no longer a choice — it was a necessity. I drew strength from a power far greater than myself and surrendered to God.

During this period of falling and rising, it was my love for creating with leather that quite literally saved my soul. Art became survival. Making became prayer. Through the work of my hands, I found a way to keep going.

Africa, Healing, and Transformation

As I began to heal, a curiosity buried deep since childhood resurfaced — a fascination with the continent of Africa.

What started as study grew into something far more personal when I befriended an awakened soul from the Nuer Tribe. That friendship opened doors to healing wounds I hadn’t even known existed. My life, my essence, and my understanding of connection were forever changed.

This journey profoundly influenced my work. African culture, symbolism, and spirit became woven into my designs — not as trend or imitation, but as reverence, respect, and gratitude for what that journey gifted me.

Much like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, I was transformed.

Art, Values, and Where I Stand Today

Over the years, my work has appeared on stage, television, and in film, worn by artists and creatives such as Morgan Wallen, Magic Dick of the J. Geils Band (who wore a jacket I designed in Grown Ups 2), and Alan Lee, who wore my designs on The Chopper Challenge.

Once, I might have measured success by those moments — and in some ways, they are meaningful. But my values have evolved.

Today, what matters most to me is connection — the quiet, personal exchange between artist and wearer. Who is wearing my work matters far less than how it makes them feel, and how deeply we connect through the creative process.

My art is about the connection of body, mind, soul, and spirit. It is about releasing ego, honoring truth, and giving ourselves permission to simply be.

I create pieces from the depths of my soul, with the hope that they inspire yours to sing in its own unique way — so that we may all experience life as a butterfly, when the time is right.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and to witness the evolution of my art and self.

With love, peace, and blessings,
Lisa Maria Cantalupo

♥