6 of 69

Write now Article Tools

When I was a teenager, my siblings liked to go bowling at the lanes at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Not me, I preferred spending time with our mother. Our mother who did not have more than a sixth grade education was to me the most fun loving, sophisticated, smart and classy woman I have ever known. It always seemed to me that she never lost touch with the little girl inside of herself.

I also believe because she lost her mother at the age of six, it made her more nurturing and maternal to her own children. She was born during the depression which means she and her siblings grew up poor, in the south. It was apparent to me she felt it was never too late to have a happy childhood and she lived her life with us proving it. As the youngest of thirteen siblings I'm sure her placement in the family played a large part in how she treated us and her feelings towards life.

The first job she ever had that I was aware of was as a cleaning lady for Jewish families in the Bronx. She was very proud to be a working woman. She never applied for credit for anything, always paid with cash and was a wiz at saving money. I was with her when she made the leap from Avon to Chanel #5. She was like a teenager making a big discovery for the first time.

Most of our times together were spent shopping at Macy's, the worlds largest store located on 34th street, between 6th and 7th avenues in Manhattan. It was always an incredible experience going to Macy's with her. Most times she went to Macy's to buy fabric from their incredible fabric department. She'd buy expensive fabrics from Italy for her tailor made suits she had made exclusively for her, by her own personal seamstress.

While she looked through Vogue pattern books; I'd walk around the fabric department feeling the beautiful fabrics rolled on and cascading down large boulders, stacked on the shelves. I didn't realize it then, but the times spent admiring the beautiful fabrics was preparing me for a creative life in the fashion industry and giving me an appreciation for all things beautiful - that stimulated my senses - especially my sense of touch.

After deciding on a pattern, my mother would then take her time to select the sewing notions she would need to compliment her new outfit. She had to choose zippers, threads, seam binding, snaps, hooks and eyes and yes the beautiful buttons. Once all of these items were selected, the process was still only half-way completed because the sewing of the garment itself would take another 8 hours

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Tribute to mothers?
We want to hear your view. Write now!