Black Milk: From a Sewing Machine and a Few Dollars to a Retail Company Known Worldwide

Black Milk is an Australian clothing company with an inspiring story that started with just one sewing machine and a few dollars for some fabric. Today, Black Milk is listed as one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies in retailing.

Broke and was taking odd jobs to make ends meet, James Lillis lived in his yellow house in Brisbane, Australia. He got bored on day, so he decided to do something. He bought a sewing machine out of the proceeds of a CD player he pawned. He did not know how to operate the sewing machine. He just figured out he wanted to learn.

Apparently, he needed some fabric so he bought some nylon lining with the $6 that’s left in his pocket. He sewed for himself a tight shirt. It was short. Everything was wrong, just as he expected.

He continued with odd jobs while saving for his newly found passion. He enrolled in a sewing class and thereafter, he sewed his first pair of leggings. A friend volunteered to model his leggings who then bought those leggings.

Because somebody was willing to pay for his work, he decided to establish a retail company that would sell his goods online. Thus, the founding of Black Milk in 2009.