AINSLEY KERR, strategic brand consultant
My mother always allowed me to experiment with beauty and fashion, even when I made some truly dreadful mistakes (such as heavy black liner and brown lipstick – sorry, mom!). I think her liberalism allowed me to grow into the style I feel most comfortable in today.
My mother could pick my wedding dress, and I could put it on blindly and know I’d love it. With her retail background (she managed the Valentino boutique at Holt Renfrew in her younger years), she always understood what looks best on any woman.
She also taught me about investing in key pieces for your wardrobe. I have no problem wearing a favourite dress multiple times to different events if I feel fabulous in it. Isn’t that the point of investing in fashion?
BIANCA VENERAYAN, womenswear designer and co-founder, Kastor & Pollux
A lot of my fashion and beauty learning moments came from doing the opposite of what my mother told me. She always said I shouldn’t mix prints or cut up my clothes, but through rebelling I’ve created my own style.
My most long-standing closet keepsake is a grey summer dress my grandma sewed for my mom. I wore it to death in high school, and every now and then I still whip it out for a layered look. My grandma sewed pretty much all of her children’s clothes, so while it may not mean as much to my mother, I think it’s a super-cool thing to own.
George Pimentel
ANITA CLARKE, founder of fashion blog I Want – I Got
My mom had her own rules for her style, but she never tried to force anything on me, her super-super-tomboy daughter. I really appreciate that she let me do my own thing when I was young. One piece of advice that did stick was the importance of a rock-solid skin care routine.
Being a major tomboy until university didn’t really lend itself to many fashion or beauty moments with my mom, but one memory that stands out is when she made my Grade 8 graduation dress. We worked together to pick the pattern (which was classic 80s) and the fabric. She did all the heavy lifting and sewed it together. I didn’t wear a dress again till high school prom!
JENNY BIRD, accessories designer
My favourite piece of jewellery was handed down from my mom. It was the first piece my dad worked hard for, and he gave it to her in the 70s. It’s a deco shaped, tri-gold collar necklace, and I just love it. It feels like home. It feels like her and it feels like me all at the same time. Its aesthetic and lines have definitely influenced my design work.
Now in her 60s, my mom is more graceful every year while still sprinkling runway and street trends into her own personal style in a way that makes sense for her. I admire her continued dedication to taking pride in her appearance and how much she just has fun with fashion.
Ryan Emberley
AMY BURSTYN-FRITZ, partner at The Knot Group
My mother has a classic style but is also is very aware of what’s in fashion and likes to have fun with bright colours, prints and accessories. I’ve adopted this approach, and we often share clothes and buy complementary items so as not to double up our wardrobes.
I still do my best shopping with my mother. I grew up in a family full of girls who are all eager shoppers. My parents took me and my three sisters on annual trips to New York City, where we’d wait outside Bloomingdale’s for the store to open so we could be the first ones in.
I also inherited my shopping efficiency from my mom. Like her, I know what I like and can be in and out of a store quickly.
RACHEL DAVID, host of Rogers’ Your World This Week
I’m lucky when it comes to accessories because my mom is actually a jewellery designer- so how could she not have an influence? Some of my favourite items are the custom rings she makes for me. They end up sparking great conversations because they are such statement pieces. I look at them as little tokens of her love.
My mom taught me that fitted clothes suit my body type. We are both very curvy women, so she told me that things look better when they are cinched in at the waist. I now have a wide variety of wrap dresses.
Another thing my mom taught me is that there’s nothing more beautiful than a smile, so wear comfortable shoes!
