Tori Katz Unveils the Story Behind Her New York City-Inspired Brand, Leman Mercer
If you ask us, almost every girl dreams of being young and in love in New York City—and, of course, that wild fantasy also comes with a chic wardrobe of timeless pieces. In other words, it's the Blair Waldorf of it all.
For Victoria "Tori" Katz, that was her reality. The New York native grew up loving fashion. It was her "silent language." After graduating from an Ivy League university with an engineering degree and a few years in consulting, she made the leap of faith to pursue her true passion for fashion, later cultivating in her satin-coated, extra-sophisticated brainchild, Leman Mercer.
Leman Mercer is the heart of any Manhattan girl's style. It's business casual with a fashionable, elegant edge. As Tori shares in a letter to consumers, "Our clothes are meant to be worn to make you feel sexy, for you. Take yourself on a date in them. Dance alone in them. If onlookers happen to see, lucky them."
(Image Courtesy of Leman Mercer)
Alongside longtime friend Kyle Price, Tori is on the fast track to growing Leman Mercer as one of the most coveted brands of Gen Z. It's already happening in front of our eyes—their very first pop-up sold nearly 100 units, they told Forbes earlier this year. And they've already had multiple online restocks.
Amongst the hustle and bustle, Tori sat down with Sweety High to dive deeper into her journey with Leman Mercer. Continue reading to learn what she shared about being a young entrepreneur and the importance of creating styles that are true to yourself.
Name: Tori Katz
IG handle: @torikatz, @lemanmercer
Hometown: An hour outside of NYC
1. Tori has expressed herself through fashion from a young age, but it was her relationship with her father that transformed it into an entrepreneurial journey.
"Fashion has been my silent language since childhood—spending hours crafting outfits before school was my daily ritual. The defining moment came when I lost my father at 23. Watching him work hard his whole life doing something he loved made me realize I couldn't wait to pursue what made me happy. Fashion had always been a passion, but in that moment, I knew I had to turn it into my career."
-Tori Katz
Also read about: How Rima and Eddy Vaidila Used 30 Combined Years in Fashion to Create the Brand of Their Dreams
2. She began Leman Mercer with a friend and doesn't regret one thing about it.
"There's an unspoken trust between [Kyle and me] that makes the business side so much easier. We've been friends for over 15 years, and that bond allows us to be brutally honest with each other, which is crucial when making big decisions. Plus, having someone who gets the emotional ups and downs of building a brand means you're never truly alone in the process—it's like having a built-in support system who also happens to be just as invested in the dream."
-Tori Katz
3. Being a Gen Z business owner has made her a better entrepreneur.
"Being a Gen Z entrepreneur means we're naturally disruptive—we don't do things just because that's how they've always been done. But being young comes with its challenges; people can underestimate you. The advantage is that we understand our generation and the digital-first landscape deeply. We move quickly and aren't afraid to take risks because we know that being bold is how we carve out our place in the industry."
-Tori Katz
4. Leman Mercer prides itself on its timelessness.
"We're unapologetically focused on quality and intention. We don't chase trends—we're about creating timeless pieces that feel good and last. Everything is designed with the wearer in mind, from the first sketch to the final stitch. Plus, we make it all right here in NYC."
-Tori Katz
(Image Courtesy of Leman Mercer)
5. Tori has a few rules that have helped her become as successful as she is.
"Consistency and curiosity. I don't take 'no' as the end of a conversation—it's the start of figuring out how to make things work. I also have a habit of learning from every situation, even if it's a setback. In fashion, adaptability is everything, and staying curious about what's possible keeps me grounded but open to new ideas."
-Tori Katz
Also read about: How Simple Retro Founder April Xie Combined Old With New to Create Her Fashion Brand
6. The most rewarding part of her work is seeing people love their pieces.
"The best part is watching someone fall in love with a piece we created. It's not just about the clothes—it's seeing how wearing something can change the way they hold themselves, the way they smile. Fashion is a form of empowerment and knowing we've contributed to someone's confidence or joy is incredibly fulfilling. It makes every long night and challenging day worth it."
-Tori Katz
7. Her most impactful piece of advice came from a mentor who emphasized the importance of long-term impact versus quick trends.
"The best advice I've received in the fashion industry came from a mentor who said, 'If you can't imagine wearing it 10 years from now, don't make it.' It shifted the way I think about design. Instead of chasing fleeting trends or focusing on what's popular in the moment, I approach every piece with a mindset of longevity. I ask myself if this garment will still feel relevant, stylish and well-made a decade from now. That's why Leman Mercer isn't about fast fashion or chasing the latest craze—we're about creating pieces that women can love, wear and hold onto for years. Timelessness is the goal, not just instant appeal."
-Tori Katz
8. Tori can't get enough of Leman Mercer's versatile Carmine Corset.
"The Carmine Corset is my personal favorite. It strikes that perfect balance between structure and playfulness—it's edgy without feeling too formal, and it flatters in all the right ways. It was also one of our first pieces to sell out, which makes it even more special. I love that it can be worn so many ways, dressed up or down, and always makes you feel confident."
-Tori Katz
Also read about: How Mia Zotos Followed Her 'Innate Calling to Fashion' to Create Mode Mischief Studios
9. She journals to keep her creativity flowing.
"I always keep a journal of sketches and outfit ideas with me, even when I travel. Inspiration can strike at the most unexpected moments—whether I'm in a café in New York or hiking in a completely different part of the world. I never know when I'll see a pattern, color or even a feeling that sparks a new design. That's why I like to keep my creative process fluid and open, allowing my surroundings to influence the evolution of each collection. The journal helps me capture those fleeting ideas before they slip away."
-Tori Katz
10. Leman Mercer has a lot of exciting designs in the work. Stay tuned!
"We're just getting started and are incredibly grateful for the response we've received so far. Leman Mercer is all about designing pieces that make women feel incredible—clothes that are chic, comfortable and timeless. Expect more drops that build on this vision as we continue to grow and evolve with our community."
-Tori Katz
(Image Courtesy of Leman Mercer)
Want to discover even more women leading the future of fashion? Click HERE to meet Jen DeAngelis and learn the story behind her viral loungewear brand, 1987label.