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What does being a mother mean to you? We ask four Australian women in the creative and fashion industries

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What does being a mother mean to you? We ask four Australian women in the creative and fashion industries

This Mother’s Day, Harrolds is turning to some of its favourite Australian women — founders, digital mavens and brilliant creatives — to discern why our maternal influences matter so much, and how they influence individual style as we grow up, dress up and often replicate their dressing sensibilities. Here, we catch up with a few wonderful mothers in our midst to hold space for their muses, mentors, North Stars and greatest nurturers. It’s also a chance to recognise these individual’ own unique codes and modes of motherhood, along with the triumph of raising a child while excelling in creative careers.

From Sunday plans with family to orchestrating a beautiful Harrolds-curated outfit to embrace their most powerful self, read on to relish in the familiar feeling of looking up to those who mothered us (whoever they may be).

Relish in the familiar feeling of looking up to those who mothered us

Marissa Karagiorgos, Twice Blessed

How are you planning to spend Mother’s Day this year?

This year is my first official Mother’s Day after being pregnant with Levi last year, so it’s going to be a very special (and I’m sure emotional) day. Morning feed and snuggles in bed with Levi, while (hopefully) hubby makes some breakfast in bed for me *hint, hint*. I’m one for small, special moments; and our morning routine on a Sunday is one of my favourites. Nice and relaxed start to the day when we’re all in bed together.

What would be your ideal ensemble for the day?

Simple and chic weekend tailoring like the Saks Pott Beige Ludi Trench Coat, straight leg tailored trousers Comme des Garcons, an oversized White logo Tee from Jil Sander and the beige Chain loafers from J.W Anderson to run around in. Also, cannot forget a carry-all bag like the Acne Studios Agele Tote bag to shove everything in (and double as a nappy bag)!

What’s a memorable Mother’s Day moment for you?

My most memorable Mother’s Day moments have been with my own mother, cooking her breakfast in bed (usually Pancakes and her trademark English Breakfast tea) and running into her room first thing in the morning for bedtime snuggles. That’s probably why I want to create the same tradition that I have a family now, it makes me feel warm and happy inside.

How important are the maternal influences in your world, and what qualities of the women around you do you aspire to?

I’ve always had strong matriarchal influences in my life, and it has really shaped who I am today as not only a woman, but now a mother. My own mother and late grandmother (both migrants from Greece in the 40s and 60s), and now my beautiful mother in law has shown me what it truely means to be selfless, self serving, strong willed and determined. They’ve shown me how much joy it brings to be able to serve others, to love others wholeheartedly and to raise children who exemplify those characteristics. It would be a privilege to be able to look back on my life one day and feel I have achieved those things.

What did your own mother teach you about style and fashion?

My mum was a fashion ICON and it’s probably one of the reasons that Bec and I are so in love with fashion now. She taught us about styling and complimenting eachother (as she always dressed us not ‘matching’, but very complimentary).

Marissa Karagiorgos

Marissa Karagiorgos

Lana Wilkinson, Designer & Founder of Lana Wilkinson

How are you planning to spend Mother’s Day this year?

I’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day this year by relaxing with my family at home. We usually have jam-packed weekends with kids birthday parties and other catch ups, so I’m very excited to be at home and spending some quality time together. At night, we’ll have dinner at a restaurant with my parents so that my girls can spoil their Grandma too (and so I don’t have clean up!).

What would be your ideal ensemble for the day?

I’m loving anything Magda Butrym at the moment – she has the perfect pieces to revive my neutral winter wardrobe. Her oversized blazers are my go-to to transform a boring jeans and tee shirt combination into something put-together but still comfortable.

Also, Bottega Veneta accessories have become essential to my wardrobe. They’re the perfect size and are always truly versatile, so you can wear them day or night.

What’s a memorable Mother’s Day moment for you?

On Mother’s Day 5 years ago, I had finished styling talent at the Logies and was able to watch the red carpet broadcast with my eldest daughter Ava. The next day, I gave birth to Elle so it was the last time that we spent Mother’s Day together before Elle came into the world. The quiet moments with my girls are the ones that I’ll cherish forever.

How important are the maternal influences in your world, and what qualities of the women around you do you aspire to?

My mum is one of the most important people in my life and has always been so supportive of me in everything that I do. I aspire to be a role model like that to my girls — I want them to know that if you work hard, you can achieve anything. This work ethic and always being kind is something that my parents instilled in me from a young age, and I hope I can pass it on to my daughters.

What did your own mother teach you about style and fashion?

My mum never leaves the house without looking put-together, which definitely influenced my view of style and fashion growing up. I often appreciate how much my mum has influenced not only the way I dress, but the way I like to present myself to the world. I always feel more confident within myself when I have my hair great outfit on and makeup done. I know that’s come from her!

Lana Wilkinson

Lana Wilkinson

How are you planning to spend Mothers Day this year?

I’m really looking forward to Mother’s Day and spending a beautiful lunch with my mum and my 5 year old daughter. My daughter normally wakes up early and makes pancakes (her favourite food!) and my husband usually helps her pick out some flowers from her favourite florist.

What would be your ideal ensemble for the day?

I was a newsreader for almost two decades so I have lived in colourful

dresses for so long. Right now I am very into denim ensembles like this one from Balmain. My daughter also loves to wear denim so we are usually matching!

What’s a memorable Mother’s Day moment for you?

Becoming a mum has been such a special moment for me, and bringing my newborn to her first mother’s day lunch with my mum 5 years ago was definitely a very special moment in my life.

How important are the maternal influences in your world, and what qualities of the women around you do you aspire to?

My mum is such a fierce, amazing mother and grandmother. Nothing was every too much trouble for her when it came to doing things for us growing up, and still remains this day as the rock of the family.

What did your own mother teach you about style and fashion?

My mum is the epitome of style and fashion, but she has taught me there is place for everything at every occasion. WhileI love dressing up at any given moment, she’s very into a played down look that is also stylish and sophisticated while being comfortable. She is the queen of luxe comfort

Samantha Brett

Samantha Brett

How are you planning to spend Mother’s Day this year?

For us, this year has been about making big days small and intimate, so we’ll start Sunday like we do every week: making banana pancakes in the kitchen. Then, we’ll go to the park with some coffees in tow and watch our son Pilot make friends (adorable…and nerve racking) in the playground. And mum, if you’re reading this, don’t worry – we’ll come see you for cake later, too.

What would be your ideal ensemble for the day?

With a little boy, it’s always about comfort. I’m lusting after these Acne jeans for Mothers Day (or really any day right now). 2022 is all about jeans, jeans, jeans and I’m so here for it. A pair of Amiri sneakers to chase Pilot around wouldn’t go amiss, and the embroidery on this Burberry hoodie is just so adorable. Any parent of a toddler will tell you how useful a pouch pocket is.

What’s a memorable Mother’s Day moment for you?

There are so many little moments I remember as a child: running into my mum’s room in the morning every year, with dad rubbing his eyes and searching for his glasses. Watching mum unwrap DIY macaroni-lined photo frames, badly glazed ceramics and terrible drawings we did at school and kinder, and giving off real The Castle ‘how good is this’ vibes. And then last year – my first Mother’s Day as a new mum – my husband Mitch ran in with our son Pilot and they absolutely spoilt me to bits with a gorgeous new watch.

How important are the maternal influences in your world, and what qualities of the women around you do you aspire to?

My mum is super relaxed. She can do 10 things at once, or host 50 people and be unphased by it – I definitely aspire to that level of chill. My mother in law helps everyone any way she can, however she can. She’s been through a bit with her family since we’ve been in each others lives. Her love language is unwavering support, which is heart filling and inspiring.

Both of them have been there so much for us over the last two years of managing a growing business and raising a toddler. It’s so good to know we can just put a call in and they will be there to babysit or make us a meal, and our son adores them both.

What did your own mother teach you about style and fashion?

My mum was never overly concerned with fashion and I spent many of my teenage years in Rip Curl t-shirts that she’d bought me. For her I guess fashion was about practicality, and style was not a conscious choice. Becoming a mother myself, it’s been interesting to blend the notion of practicality with my own personal sense of style that I’ve developed since my early adulthood.

Cara Stizza

Cara Stizza

Sophie McComas, Director of Buffet Digital & Co-host of Highly Enthused

 

How are you planning to spend Mother’s Day this year? 

I keep forgetting that these days, Mother’s Day involves me as a mum! I’m new to this — our son Ned is only 18 months old, so I keep having to remind myself! But we’re meeting my mum and dad for brunch at a local spot near us. Coffee, Bloody Marys, maybe some fried chicken, and of course, flowers by the bunch.

What would be your ideal ensemble for the day?

Sturdy but fun sandals, wide-leg blue jeans, a simple top and an incredible coat!

What’s a memorable Mother’s Day moment for you? 

When I was pregnant, my sister bought me the most beautiful bunch of hydrangeas on Mother’s Day, even though I didn’t have a baby in my arms yet. I was so touched by the thought of it, and it felt like one of those moments when you feel your identity shift, in a beautiful way.

How important are the maternal influences in your world, and what qualities of the women around you do you aspire to? 

I am lucky enough to have had two incredibly strong grandmothers, both ambitious and adventurous. My maternal grandmother and my mother constantly travelled to meet friends, when COVID hit my mum was in Morocco doing a cooking course! My mum and my mother-in-law are both generous, smart, fun and loving. Neither of them would ever say no to a delicious drink or delicious holiday, and I’d like to say the same about myself!

What did your own mother teach you about style and fashion? 

I remember finding my mother’s white fur coat from the 80s in her closet as a young girl and became obsessed with it, and spent hours rummaging through her jewellery and accessories. Mum is pretty practical in her style, but loves colour and pattern, and this is reflected in my own wardrobe too, though I can’t say I own nearly as many handbags or shoes as she does!

Sophie McComas

Sophie McComas

Zara Wong, Head of Content at Mecca

How are you planning to spend Mother’s Day this year? 

I had no intention of doing anything special this year but I’ve had to move a trip due to lockdowns a zillion times and it’s just so happened it is actually happening over Mother’s Day this year! I’ll be going to Ross Farm, Gippsland, after being seduced by it’s beautiful imagery on The Design Files.

What would be your ideal ensemble for the day? 

I’m a lounger not a hiker, so on a dream weekend I’d love this Bottega Veneta rib dress (I’m also in the third trimester of pregnancy, so yes really into the knit dresses). But I’m not totally impractical – I’d throw on this Burberry trench over the top. I love how it’s a bit of a twist on the original and plays up on the check detailing with the collar.

What’s a memorable Mother’s Day moment for you? 

I’ve been in Melbourne for the past few years so have missed Mother’s Day with my own mum for a bit. Each year I have flowers sent to her, and she ALWAYS says not to spend money on it, but I do it anyway and she’s always chuffed (even after telling me off, typical!)

How important are the maternal influences in your world, and what qualities of the women around you do you hope to bring pass on to your own child?

As I’m about to have my own child, I’ve thought back to the moments where my mum has done things – big and small – that maybe weren’t so appreciated at the time. I distinctly remember my mum reading to me every single day in the afternoon, or telling me about her favourite books, which has undoubtedly made me appreciate language and words. Each holidays she’d try to think of as many activities to do as possible, from taking us on the ferry for day trips to The Rocks, organising a family holiday to Tasmania where we drove around (this was pre-internet days too, which would have been so much difficult to organise). She really wanted my brother and me to have as many different opportunities and experiences as possible.

What did your own mother teach you about style and fashion? 

My mother loves style and fashion and I grew up watching Style with Elsa Klensch on CNN with her. This made me really want to work in that industry and be Elsa Klensch, basically. Her style is a lot more street and masculine than mine, but there are similar elements; classic with a twist, bold statement pieces anchored with signatures, a love of great tailoring, lots of black and a low heel.

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