SURVIVAL KIT
Some of Vogue’s resident mothers share the items – both stylish and practical – that surprised, delighted and guided them through motherhood.
Some of Vogue’s resident mothers share the items – both stylish and practical – that surprised, delighted and guided them through motherhood.
PHILIPPA MORONEY FASHION EDITOR AND MARKET DIRECTOR, VOGUE Mum to Luella, 22 months.
1. “Maternity leave was all about the three Cs: casual, comfortable and chic. Just kidding! I hardly ever looked chic. I was all about comfort, and my Veja sneakers helped elevate my cool factor slightly.”
2. “I instantly fell in love with this oversized watercolour by Zoya Godoroja-Prieckaerts. Even though at the time – a few months after my daughter was born – it felt frivolous to purchase such a non-necessity, I bought it because it made me happy. I’ll pass it down to Luella one day.”
3. “This app was both a blessing and a curse: a week-by-week detailed account of what’s going on in your little one’s brain and a calendar of peaks and troughs of parenting defined by ‘sunshine’ and ‘ storm clouds’. When Luella was being a nightmare and I was tearing my hair out, I often took solace from the fact that it was normal and we were in a ‘storm cloud’ period.”
4. “I’m a terrible cook, and when Luella started eating solids I didn’t know where to start. This book was amazing and she has loved almost everything I’ve made from it. I add extra veggies to all the dishes and she gobbles them up. It covers everything from baby’s first purees to toddler meals and family meals we can eat together.”
5. “My wardrobe has always skewed towards pieces I wear to work. So when I went on maternity leave I found I had nothing to wear that didn’t make me feel like I was going to the office. So I stocked up on Bassike T-shirts, tops and jeans, great basics that became my ‘mumdrobe’.”
6. “I felt like a disaster most of the time, so taking some time to keep my skin hydrated made me feel like less of a disaster.”
7. “I found the simple act of feeling in control was empowering – like getting my hair cut and coloured by my friend Diane Gorgievski, of Koda Cutters in Bondi, who as a mum was also able to reassure me that whatever I was going through was normal.”
8. “After a terrible sleepless night, sunglasses are a must when I crawl to the coffee shop.”