Rising Stars: Meet Leigh Fleet of Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh Fleet.

Hi Leigh, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Eric and I started Threads 4 Thought in New York City in 2006, when we were both in our twenties and really just starting our lives together. We believed fashion could be done differently, that you could create clothing people genuinely wanted to wear while also being thoughtful about the materials, the people making it, and the impact on the planet.

We started small with a collection of super soft sustainable tees and grew the brand from there. In those early years, we learned everything as we went and wore just about every hat imaginable. Over time, Threads 4 Thought grew into a full lifestyle brand, and our lives grew right alongside it. We moved the company from New York to Los Angeles, built an incredible team, became parents, and continued evolving the brand.

My role has always been rooted in the creative and brand side—how Threads 4 Thought looks, feels, and connects with our community. Today, 20 years later, I’m still deeply involved in shaping that vision, working alongside an incredible team across creative direction, storytelling, events, partnerships, and the overall customer experience. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together and of the people who continue to bring the brand to life every day.

It is pretty incredible to look back and realize that something Eric and I started together in our twenties is still growing and evolving two decades later. The brand looks very different today, but the heart of it has stayed the same, making great clothes people love to live in, in a better and more responsible way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road, but I think that is true of any business that has been around for 20 years. We have navigated recessions, a pandemic, huge shifts in retail and ecommerce, changing consumer habits, and all of the growing pains that come with building a brand.

On a personal level, Eric and I have also had to learn how to be business partners, life partners, and parents at the same time. There is not always a clear line between work and home when you build something together, and finding that balance has been an evolution.

One of the biggest lessons for me has been learning to embrace change. The fashion industry today is incredibly different from when we started in 2006, and we have had to continually evolve while staying true to who we are. I think our ability to adapt, without losing the heart of the brand, is a big part of why we are still here 20 years later.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the Co Founder of Threads 4 Thought, and my focus is really on how the brand looks, feels, and connects with people. I support our creative direction, storytelling, partnerships, events, and community, and I love finding ways to bring the brand to life beyond just the clothing.

A big focus for me right now is building genuine community here in Los Angeles. Our partnership with Friends of Ballona Wetlands is something I am especially proud of. We have been creating experiences that bring our community into the wetlands, connecting people with this incredible ecosystem right in our backyard while supporting the work being done to protect and restore it.

What I am most proud of is that 20 years later, we have built something that has longevity but continues to evolve. We have stayed committed to making incredibly comfortable, wearable clothing in a more responsible way, while finding new ways to connect with the people and places around us. I think that combination of sustainability, quality, comfort, and community is what really sets Threads 4 Thought apart.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
So many of my favorite childhood memories involve being outside. Picking wild blackberries near local creeks, catching tadpoles and minnows, beachcombing with my parents, exploring in nature, and spending summers in coastal towns up and down the East Coast. I loved those simple days of being outside, near the water, discovering things, and having nowhere else to be. Those memories have really stayed with me and, looking back, I think they shaped a lot of my connection to nature today.

Pricing:

• Core Triblend Fleece Classic Zip Hoodie, $68
• Core Feather Fleece Sweatshirt, $59
• Core Legging, $48

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.threads4thought.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threads4thought/?hl=en