-
May092017Christabel
Meet The Mother Maker // Alex from ByAlex Playmats
Like many of our ‘mother makers’, Alex runs a successful interior furnishings and accessories brand from home, producing cushions and playmats in an array of colours and fabrics. Last week we were lucky enough to catch up with Alexandra Noorman who lives in Rotterdam with her husband Pieter and 3 children, Faas 6, Simon 3 and Hella 1.
It was when Alex was faced with the decision of going back to work, that she felt she needed to be at home with her children, yet craved a project of her own. After spending time with her children at home, she soon became restless and the idea of sewing playmats was born.
With a fun selection of fabrics, impeccable colour combinations, these playmats have become an online sensation, and we expect to see these on many more children’s interior blogs, pinned all over pinterest and posted regularly on your instagram feed. They are perfect for creating that perfect little reading nook or play area in the corner of your living room.
We are offering 15% off on her store by using code TMM2017. Head on over to check out her awesome collection of playmats, cushions and sweet interior accessories. www.byalex.shop
We speak to her about superhero powers, running a business from home and her top tips for families travelling to Rotterdam. Read more below…
How do you balance your role as a mother and your role as an entrepreneur?
“When I had my full time job, I wanted to be home with the kids. When I quit my job as a policy advisor at the government, I soon got restless and wanted to work again. For me there is no perfect balance, because I always felt one part of me was lacking. What I do is try to‘focus’ on whatever I am doing at that moment whether I am with the kids,or working on By Alex Playmats. I think keeping a clear division between the two is important, and separating your time. I know, this sounds quite organised and well-balanced. Most days I stick to it and it works… but there are those days when we mess it all up.”
Many mothers struggle with that next step in their career when they decide to have a child. Was sewing and creating always something that you wanted to do ?“Ever since I was a child I loved to create with fabrics. My mom used to sew at our kitchen table and I loved hand sewing and cutting the fabric. As a teenager I started to sew my own clothes. Somewhere along the line I followed another dream and went to university and got a job at the ministry of Culture. With our third baby coming up I decided I no longer wanted to work away from home. We all needed a more peaceful life. I quit my job to stay at home with the kids. But I soon got restless and wanted to work again. That’s when the whole play mat adventure started. I’m positive I’ve made a good choice in order to balance my life and spend more time with my kids, my husband and close friends.”“I think keeping a clear division between the two is important, and separating your time. I know, this sounds quite organised and well-balanced. Most days I stick to it and it works… but there are those days when we mess it all up.”
Head on over to www.byalex.shop and browse their amazing range of cushions and playmats to make the perfect reading nook for your kids.
What has been your favourite part of being a mother? “My favourite part of being a mother is to teach my kids to explore their own character, to love who they are and to not change it for their environment. Every person has his or her shortcomings, but when you focus on your best characteristics you’re always going to be a happier person for yourself and the people around you. Furthermore, I hope my kids will follow their dreams and use their skills. It took way too long for me to use mine as a profession. I only quit my job last year to do what I love best, which is creating things with fabrics. My kids see my love and devotion in creating the most beautiful play mats. Although, I’m quit busy with building a brand and improving my play mats, I hope they see I am enjoying every minute of what I do”
” I hope they see I am enjoying every minute of what I do..”
Any advice for any other mothers looking to go into business on their own? “Just follow your own feeling and guts… Of course its important to listen to advice, but make your own choices.”
What can we expect to see from ByAlex Playmats in the future? Any collaborations on the horizon? “Yep, there is a really nice collaboration going on with an illustrator. I’m so happy about how this works and you will see the result soon. Right now I’m also choosing new fabrics for the new collection of play mats. These will be launched in August.”
A Perfect Workspace.
Keep your eyes peeled for Alex’s new collections by following her on Instagram and liking her Facebook page.Instagram @byalex_playmats // Facebook @byalexplaymatsCats, Beach and Green.
If you were a new colour in a crayon box, what colour would you be and why? “Green. I love our garden in spring when it turns slowly from fresh bright green in April to deep dark green in June. For me ‘green’ is the colour of steady growth.”
Working mums are known for their supermum abilities to multitask. What’s your magic mother superpower? “Being a cook with nothing in the fridge. I even surprise myself by making a proper dinner with the previous nights veggies from the fridge and some stuff from the cupboard.”
Name 3 interesting facts about yourself.1. I used to dream of becoming a ballerina and I still love to dance.2. I am grumpy all day without a cup of tea in the morning.3. I have a crush for vintage dresses.Cats or dogs?CatsDream holiday destination. Beach or Mountains?BeachWhere The Wild Ones Sleep
EVELINA’S LUST LIST
FOLLOW THEM ON INSTAGRAM
TRAVELLING TO ROTTERDAM?
(Alex shares her favourite places with us )
Restaurants // Bertmans – the best pancakes
Museums // Ontdekhoek – a great science museum for kids
Keep your eyes peeled for Alex’s new collections by following her on Instagram and liking her Facebook page.Instagram @byalex_playmats // Facebook @byalexplaymats0 -
Apr212017Christabel
Meet The Mother Maker | Svetlana from Plakinger
Next up on our Meet The Mother Maker series, we would like to introduce you to the two mothers behind By PLakinger, a luxury fashion label based in Germany with a flagship store in China. Since 2013, Svetlana and her Mother Galina Plakinger have been running their luxury fashion label PLAKINGER together. A luxury brand whose collections now offer adorable young girls fashion too. Svetlana lives in Germany with her two children, aged 6 and 4.
We spent some time speaking to Svetlana about running a fashion label, how she juggles family life and what inspired her to work with her mother on a creative project.
How did yourself and your mother Galina come about starting the label? What prompted you to go into business with your mother?
My mother is a bespoke tailor. Many clients were coming to her without a clear vision, asking her for guidance and ideas; hence the idea of establishing our own label. We wanted to create womenswear with a cosmopolitan twist. Doing it with my mother was an intuitive business move. We complement each other with our respective backgrounds in fashion and business. And we double-up on creativity and manpower.
Did you have any background in fashion? What has been your career history up until that point and that of your mother?
My mother studied fashion design, specialising on cuts and patterns. She’s always been thrilled by the details and complexity of a garment. Before we started PLAKINGER, she was running her own bespoke tailoring atelier. I was always involved in my mother’s business and followed fashion very closely; even though I pursued a career in the financial services industry.
Did you already have children when you started the label? How many children do you have? How old are they?
I have two kids. When we started PLAKINGER, my daughter was 2 and my son not even 1 year old. They are now six and four years old.
What do you think is the most challenging part of being a mother and working as a designer and running your own business?
Achieving balance. Working as a fashion designer requires creativity on a constant basis. Developing a new collection is challenging sometimes when my children are sick or require more attention from me. Running your own business means that work must be done, regardless if it’s at night, on a weekend or during the holidays. I need to find time for my job, for my children, for my husband and for myself. I guess it’s the same for all working mothers.
What has been the most rewarding part of the whole experience?
Seeing both PLAKINGER and my kids grow simultaneously, step by step. It makes me very happy.
Svetlana’s Spring Lust List
1. Porcelain Flower Shaped Hairclips // Plakinger
2. Denim Jacket with Paint Splatter // Zara
3. Girls Phantasy Print Silk Georgette Dress // Plakinger
4. Adidas Gazelle sneakers // Adidas.com
5. Applique Fringed Jacket // Plakinger
6. V-Neck Flared Cuff Shirt // H&M
7. Moto Blue Baxter Slim Leg Jeans // Topshop
8. OneSixOne Azurita Gaia Mineral Bag // Runway2Street
9. Althea Ankle Boots from Acne // Net A Porter
If you could open another concept store where would you like to open it?
The Chinese market welcomed PLAKINGER with open arms. It’s invigorating. We would now love to further expand in China especially in cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.
Do you operate a no work/no phone rule when you have the kids or are you always juggling things?
I would love to have such a rule! Unfortunately, we have so much work that I usually juggle between the calls, the emails and the kids when they are with me. This is very similar to how my sister and I grew up: very often we used to visit my mother in her atelier when going back home from school. We were even allowed to do our homework there or play in between sewing machines or cutting tables.
How would you describe your style? Do you change your style depending on whether you have the kids for the day or at work?
Versatility is key! Most of the time, when taking care of my children, I wear a white top, jeans and no heels. It’s an easy and comfy look that can be dressed up quickly, with a bright coat and statement jewellery.
However, at work, I enjoy wearing heels and more refined/vintage pieces without the fear of my children ruining them immediately 🙂
Finally, what are you future ambitions for PLAKINGER? Are you working on any new exciting projects?
We just finished shooting the Spring/Summer 2017 collection and are getting prepared for our showroom presentation during Paris Fashion Week in September. This collection will be very special as there are prints hand-drawn by my daughter along with a jewellery capsule collection made in association with French artists.
We enjoyed meeting Svetlana and look forward to seeing what the future holds for their label. Head on over to their page to see all their delightful collections.
www.byplakinger.com
-
Mar262017Christabel
Meet The Mother Maker // Evelina from The Birth Poster
First up on our Meet The Mother Maker series, we would like to introduce you to a mother we have admired for quite some time. Evelina Westman, co-founder behind The Birth Poster and Schmeck Studios.
Evelina and her husband Gustav live in Stockholm with their little son Uno. Together they run their design studio and a few poster businesses. The most famous being The Birth Poster which you may or may not have seen pop up on your pinterest feeds. The Birth Poster is a series of unique and timeless illustrated birth posters at a scale of 1:1 to your baby actual length at birth. Evelina is the artist of the illustrations.
They also run a few smaller poster ventures: The Note Poster, a series of posters with the notes of childrens favourite lullaby songs. Grafiskt Personnummer, graphic posters with patterns generated from your identity number (social securitynumber). And finally a frame store, selling timeless frames online. You can shop her collections here.
How do you juggle Motherhood with running your own company?
“I have learnt after some time now that it’s impossible to do both at the same time, so I work in shifts. When Uno is taking a nap during the day or go to sleep at night I can work. And, since I’m running the business with my husband we can balance work and baby between each other as well. We have a very equal relationship and work as a really strong team.”
Whats your favourite bit about being a mother?
“All the love you get to give and receive every day! Becoming a mother for the first time, it is still quite overwhelming how powerful the love feels like. Fuels you up every day! I believe it creates a strength in me that makes me work even harder than before and with higher goals than ever.”
Whats been the most challenging part of being a mother?
“Uno is my first baby and I think everything, more or less, has been challenging with becoming a mother for the first time. Even the enormous love that comes along with it makes you aware of how fragile life is now.
At one point I had to go to a therapist for some sessions to sort out all the feelings and thoughts I had. Really helped. “
Head on over to The Birth Poster and customize your own poster using the time and date of your child’s birth including their weight, and length for a 1:1 scale illustration that would look great on the wall of your home.
What does the future hold for Schmeck Studios/Evelina Westman. Will we be seeing any future collaborations? Where would you like to see the company in 5-10 years?
“This year we’re focusing on international expansion. Hiring people and making changes so that our organisation can grow (so far it has only been me and Gustav). On the side of The Birth Poster we’re developing a clothing brand for kids. Will be released this year, very exciting stuff! In 5-10 years we run the leading brands within the baby business.”
How would you describe your style?
“If I were to describe my style, I would say Scandinavian minimalism. It’s a given since I’m from Stockholm and have been surrounded by that style whole of my life. “
EVELINA’s LUST LIST
EVELINA’S LUST LIST
-
Image Via Tiny Cotton SS17 Lookbook
-
LillaGunga Toddler Swing in Black and Oak – £232
-
Acne Studios Mini Smily T-Shirt in White – £40
-
Acne Studios // Cassie Mini Sweatshirt // Pink – £90
-
Adidas Stan Smith //Personalised Childrens Shoes // £35
-
Natural Stacking Toy from Wooden Story – £30
-
Acne Studios // Black Pansy H Beanie // £95
-
The Birth Poster // Personalised Birth Poster in Continuous Line // £52
-
Skip Hop // Playspot Tiles Geo Grey Cream // £70
-
Adidas Originals x Mini Rodini // Panda Tracksuit // SOLD OUT but you can pick one up on ebay for £299!!!
-
Natural Shape Sorting Board from Wooden Story – £30
-
Gray Label // Family Sweater Pack // £105
FOLLOW THEM ON INSTAGRAM
TRAVELLING TO SWEDEN?
Evelina has given us a few recommendations…
Restaurants // Taverna Brillo Meno Male Urban Deli
Parks // Humlegården
Museums // Modern Art Museum
Hotels // Haymarket by Scandic
-
[aws_search_form]
Archive for 2017
The Mother Maker > 2017
Are you a maker, artist, designer or independent brand ?
Then Join Our Makers Newsletter.