Meet Maribeth Mchugh | Fashion Curator and Brand Visionary

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maribeth Mchugh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maribeth, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I had this unfortunate reality of living in a completely negative headspace. For years, I was absolutely stuck in a cycle of self victimization, and living in lack. It was in my 30s, after having two children, living through a pandemic, losing everything and having to build my entire life back up from zero, by myself, that everything shifted for me. I realized that I AM the master of my own creation. I flipped the script. As a result, my life has been very rich with experience and blessings, from always having the resources to care for my children to traveling extensively and immersing myself in different cultures, learning to skateboard. I’ve had the privilege of living in one of the greatest cities in the world, which shaped my perspective on style, creativity, and resilience. I see my hardships as pillars for opportunity. Now, as I build my fashion brand, I bring all of that lived experience, and I couldn’t think of a more authentic way to introduce my passion project. My grit, my vision, and my dedication to authenticity. It’s in every aspect of what I create right now.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a native to the cornfields of Pennsylvania, and took a leap which landed me in the greatest city in the world, NYC, where I studied film and dramatic arts. Immersing myself in a world of storytelling and self-expression had always been an absolute escape for me. I wanted to be an actor. I grew up in a strict and very conservative, religious home, so to be in NYC, seeing the realness that was humanity, and experiencing rich culture, that was an absolute experience. It was there that I discovered my love of skateboarding tin order to commute, which became not just a passion but a passport to all things adventure. The culture, creativity, and freedom it embodied took me all over, shaping my perspective on music, life, food, and style. It gave me this rebellious freedom that scratched an itch.

Eventually, after years of having modeled/acted and worked in the entertainment industry, my travels planted me in Colorado, where I’ve built a life as a proud single parent. My 30’s have been nothing short of a wild ride. I was torn down to pieces so that I could rebuild myself from the ground up. Hitting the bottom showed me that I had nothing to lose and everything to create. I started hustling, working out, putting intention into everything I do, and investing into MYSELF, realizing that the only limits in my life are the ones I had accepted. That realization led me to something I’ve always wanted a hand in, fashion and styling. I’ve started with a styling service because I want to help people discover and express their personal style in a way that feels authentic to them, especially women who want to level up. This journey of mine doesn’t stop there. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the artistry of western boots, and I’m excited to have partnered up with a small team in Leon Mexico, and in due time, will have the opportunity to launch a line of custom boots that merge western craftsmanship with a modern, urban edge.

Barn Sour was born from a collision of my influences. The brand captures the urban edge of my NYC roots, the free-spirited tone of my skateboarding days, and the rugged charm of the West that I now call home. Along the way, traveling through the Iberian heart of Europe opened my eyes to refined craftsmanship, timeless aesthetics, and the artistry of fine leather—each piece telling a story of tradition and meticulous skill, adding another layer to my vision. I want to produce pieces that fuse bold, modern design with timeless Western essence, made for those who own their style.

Every piece is a vibe, more than just what you wear, but it’s how we rep our story. I’m not just building a brand; I’m building a life I am so grateful to live.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
After spending so many years as a city dweller, I’ve come to truly appreciate the natural escapes. One of my favorite spots is Clear Creek in downtown Golden—there’s nothing like basking in the sun by the water. And when I need a real reset, I take my truck and a quick 30-minute drive west into the mountains, down a little canyon highway I find less traveled. There’s a peace and calm in the Rockies that I can’t find anywhere else—it’s where I feel most grounded. Building a fire along and sleeping side a body of running water… It is my favorite Spring activity.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My children and my inner circle, my ride or die’s- The ones who stood by me through every low. To the people who offered unconditional support, and reminded me of my strength even when I couldn’t see it myself. You guys are the reason I made it through. I stand here today because of those people.

Website: https://barnsourboots.com

Instagram: @barnsourbootco

Image Credits
Mike Larremore