Balancing Motherhood and Creativity: Insights from Fashion's Trailblazing Moms

Keywords:MotherhoodFashion IndustryWork-Life BalanceCreativityEntrepreneurshipOutline:1. Sandeep Salter: Integrating Parenting and Profession2. Sherri McMullen: Prioritizing Self-Care and Family Milestones3. Emily Adams Bode Aujla: Building a Legacy for the Next Generation4. Shana Honeyman: Navigating the Complexities of Adoption5. Erin Magee: Embracing the "Kid Bubble" and Juggling CreativityCreating Motherhood is a collection of stories that explore the intersection of family and creativity, offering insights into how to live an artful life as a parent. Navigating the demands of motherhood while pursuing a career in the fashion industry, which requires constant creative output, can be a complex and challenging endeavor. These five women in fashion share their personal experiences, revealing the strategies, sacrifices, and rewards of being a working mom.

Unlocking the Synergy Between Motherhood and Creativity

Sandeep Salter: Integrating Parenting and Profession

Sandeep Salter's journey as a working mom began early, as she opened her first shop the day she went into labor. With her children by her side, Salter has seamlessly integrated her parenting and professional lives, viewing them as intrinsically linked. "The values and style of all my actions, including professional ones, are reflective of my parenting," she explains. By co-founding Salter House, a family business, Salter has created a space where her family and work coexist harmoniously.However, Salter acknowledges the challenges of this approach, noting that it can sometimes limit the depth and reach of her work. "The effectiveness and reach of my work are similar to the geographic impression of my life as a parent. It's local," she says. As her children grow, Salter plans to take more risks and expand the scope of her practice, allowing her creativity to deepen and evolve alongside her family.

Sherri McMullen: Prioritizing Self-Care and Family Milestones

For Sherri McMullen, motherhood has taught her the importance of patience, prioritization, and self-care. As the owner of an eponymous boutique in Oakland, McMullen has found that being a mother has made her a better business leader. "My work has become more meaningful, because I'm building a legacy for my son," she shares.McMullen's dedication to her son is unwavering, even during the busiest times of the year. "My son's birthday happens at the start of Paris Fashion Week, but I'll never choose Paris—unless he joins me!" she declares. By prioritizing her own well-being and her family's milestones, McMullen has found a way to thrive both professionally and personally.

Emily Adams Bode Aujla: Building a Legacy for the Next Generation

For designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla, the motivation behind her brand, Bode, has always been rooted in her desire to create a lasting legacy for her children. "I've always worked to build Bode and my archive for my children, even before I even became a mother," she explains.Bode's focus on preserving and celebrating multigenerational stories and family histories resonates deeply with Aujla's own upbringing. "I want to do the same—to make my children proud—and that's only been heightened since becoming a mother," she says. By championing the art of preservation, craft, and narrative, Aujla is not only building a brand but also a lasting tribute to her family's past and her children's future.

Shana Honeyman: Navigating the Complexities of Adoption

Shana Honeyman's journey to motherhood was marked by the challenges and complexities of adopting a child through the foster care system. As the founder of the Honeyman Agency, a fashion PR firm, Honeyman experienced firsthand the emotional rollercoaster of caring for children who were ultimately reunited with their biological families.Despite the heartbreak, Honeyman found solace in her work, which she says "saved" her during the early stages of becoming a foster parent. "Having had the distraction of running a business and the chaotic pace of our industry saved me," she reflects. Adopting her son, Lenny, has also inspired Honeyman to explore new avenues, such as writing and advocating for foster care adoption.

Erin Magee: Embracing the "Kid Bubble" and Juggling Creativity

As the founder and head designer of the streetwear brand MadeMe, Erin Magee has experienced the delicate balance of motherhood and creativity. During the first years of her daughters' lives, Magee found herself letting go of some control over her creative practice to focus on her growing family.Magee describes the "kid bubble" as a time of complete selflessness, where she fully immerses herself in her children's lives, disconnecting from the demands of work. However, this transition can be challenging, as Magee's mind remains occupied with her daughters' well-being even when she's not physically present. "It becomes more difficult to transition from the kid bubble to a creative space," she admits.Despite the juggling act, Magee has found ways to make it work, recognizing that creativity takes time and that her children are her top priority. "Much like most things mothers do, we make it work, because we simply have to make it work," she says.