An ode to the woman at the center of it all

I want to take a moment and talk about my very first stylist, my mother. Let’s face it, as a toddler, I had neither the means nor the dexterity to dress myself. So, I had to rely on the one I depended upon the most, my mother. She did a great job, by the way.   As I reflect on my style as an adult, part of my style identity has been influenced by her. Surely, it was not my father who bought the outfits to dress my brother and me. Of the many pics my mother took, there is one that stands out. I was sitting on a colorful shawl that my mother still has to this day.  I was probably around a year old, wearing a navy blue blazer with white buttons, a white shirt, turquoise shorts, red knee-high socks and white leather walk shoes. Talk about looking sharp! 

The combination of colours and coordination of attire was intentional.  You see, my mom used to make some of her clothes as a teen. So long before I was thought of, my mother had already developed a keen sense of style. Throughout my youth, you can tell that my mother kept up with the latest trends while ensuring my attire was cool and appropriate. Obviously, as I got older and I began to develop my own sense of style and it did not stray from the foundation of those early years. Style, class, and dressing for the occasion.

Now you know where it all began. I write this to say, as much as I would like to believe my sense of style is all me, it isn’t.  My mother has been influential in so many ways. Thanks, mom!

-Dorian Rae