Chief Women: Celebrating our Mothers
At Chief we celebrate the essence of women and their stories in everything we do.
So, in honour of Mother’s Day this year we asked some friends around the world to share how their mother’s have influenced their style and why mums, above all, our are best source of inspiration.
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Panayota, Fashion and Textile Designer, Sydney
(Panayota's mother is on the right)
What do you love about this outfit in particular?
The 60s is probably my favourite fashion decade. Minis and bold colours are so liberating and the accessories are perfectly matched, including mum’s mini-me sister! (I wish I had a little sister to match).
How has your mum influenced your style?
My mum has always embraced my creative side. Throughout my childhood she let me choose my outfits no matter how ridiculous they seemed. She’s an artist and has always filled my life with colour, from art on the walls to my wild floral bed sheets — which I think has subconsciously influenced my unnatural crush on the colour pink!
Why are mothers our best muses?
Our mothers are our ultimate role models. Mothers always know best whether we like it or not!
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Jamilla, Womenswear Designer and sustainability advocate, Bangalore
What do you love about this outfit in particular?
I love that although mum looks like she is wearing a Kathmandu thermal top with silver hoops (now stolen by me), she is squeezing little me so tight. She isn’t the most stylish person and she would be the first to admit it, but that doesn’t matter.
How has your mum influenced your style?
Mum always dresses in a way that’s comfortable and true to herself. I have tried many times to get her into something other than jeans and a t-shirt but she won’t budge. She reminds me constantly to always dress in a way that reflects me and to not allow an outfit to wear me.
Why are mothers our best muses?
Mums are our best muses because as much as we all hate to admit it ...mums are always right!
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Sapna, Dentist, Wellington
What do you love about this outfit in particular?
The bright colours.
How has your mum influenced your style?
My mum has influenced my style particularly with Indian clothing. She’s taught me that bright colours I would never imagine wearing together, actually look beautiful! I now love wearing bold colours.
Why are mothers our best muses?
Mothers just seem to know what's best and right for every situation.
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Leah, Entrepreneur, New York
What do you love about this outfit in particular?
It has a high neckline but is long and floaty with an angled hem, longer at the back and shorter at the front. It's super simple but you can tell it's really high quality silk! I like how it compliments her height (6 ft 1!), and is versatile for any situation.
How has your mum influenced your style?
She’s always been a big advocate for minimalism. When I was young I always asked why she didn't wear lots of jewellery and makeup like the other parents I saw at school and she told me it's best to let natural beauty shine, without distractions. As I've gotten older I've started to listen to her advice and choose more minimal pieces.
Why are mothers our best muses?
Mothers are our best muses because they have had a lifetime of experiences. These experiences impact what they wear, and can help us see trends and our own style in a different light.
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Lucy, Content Producer, Sydney
What do you love about this outfit in particular?
I think a white suit is so timeless and I love the detail of the fabric. Mum has also really outdone herself with her jewellery here — I love the classic string of pearls mixed with the gold chain.
How has your mum influenced your style?
Mum has always encouraged me to explore my own sense of style, even if it’s at her own peril. As a toddler, mum would sew little pink bows onto my woollen singlets to coax me into wearing them. She also taught me to never go anywhere without a jumper, because — as a woman of my own heart —she always gets cold.
Why are mothers our best muses?
Mums are our best muses because they inform the way we explore style throughout childhood and all the way through to adulthood. Ultimately, they know what works and what doesn’t, and somehow mums always manage to make anything and everything look beautiful.
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Natalie, Creative Director, Auckland
What do you love about this outfit in particular?
Most importantly, the way it makes her feel.
More tangibly, I love that she collects special pieces from her travels (Handbag and necklace pictured) that are so unique and she pairs them with local NZ Designer pieces.
How has your mum influenced your style?
Mum has taught me how powerful style (be it clothing, makeup or interiors) and your self expression can be in contributing to how you act and feel as an individual and therefore how you are received by others. I think I can attribute a lot of my successes in life so far to this notion.
It would have to be said also, that i get my love of drapey black clothes with a Japanese influence from her too.
Why are mothers our best muses?
Mums are the OG version of ourselves! For me, mum inspires me, and reminds me to remain true to my own sense of style by always questioning the integrity and longevity of my creative work, which i think is so crucial in the fast-paced world we live in.
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Stephanie, Photographer and founder of PeachyKeen, Paris
(Pictured in Stephanie's Nan)
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Claudia, Medical Student, Sydney
What do you love about this outfit in particular?
My mamas style is modern, playful and fabulous.
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Zoe, Founder & Designer of Chief Studio, Sydney
What do you love about this outfit in particular?
I love all these old photographs of my mum before she was a mum! She has such a carefree spirit that translates in to her style. In a lot of these pictures from Rarotonga she is often just wearing a bikini and a throw over shirt or pareu in a bright colour - everything about it is perfect.
How has your mum influenced your style?
My mother’s love of colour, easiness (she is never too fussy) and layering (growing up in a tropical climate means she was always cold in New Zealand) have definitely played a huge impact in my relationship with clothes.
She used to love dressing me in these colourful sets when I was a kid - like t-shirts with a sunflower on it and then matching embroidered sunflower jeans, as well as lots of matching floral hats and overalls. Come to think of it the Fiora sunhat looks very similar to one that I had when I was a child…
Why are mothers our best muses?
Because you look up to them with wonderment from the day that you are born, they teach your right from wrong and are a dominant force in shaping your world.
It feels natural to draw creative energy from their presence.
xx
This Sunday, we hope you find yourself surrounded by the women you love and who love you — whether that be your mother, grandmother, aunty, soulmate or friend.
Explore more of Chief Women here.