We spoke to the Mum's that make up Perriam about their motherhood journey, the #inspHERation they have gained along the way and how getting dressed has taken on a whole new meaning.
Christina- Founder and Creative Director with Walt, 3 years.
Image by Rachael McKenna
Who were you before you became a Mother? What did your life look like?
Well I certainly had a lot of free time, which I didn't appreciate until I was a Mother. I was a bit of a workaholic and addicted to working on my business.
Can you share your journey to Motherhood.
I always suspected I had Endometriosis but it wasn't until my husband and I were trying for a family did I realise how bad it was. We struggled to conceive and after a couple of years we sort fertility help. After an operation revealed the extent of the Endo we embarked on I.V.F. We were very lucky and blessed to get pregnant after two tries and have our wee man Walter.
What suprised you most about Motherhood? And about yourself as a Mother?
I always knew that the love for your child would be immense but nothing could prepare me for the unconditional love I felt. It made me want to live my life differently and to create more time to spend with him. It's still a struggle but I ave definitely changed my priorities.
Who are the women in your life where ou have gained the most #inspHERation and how they have inspired/influenced your Motherhood journey?
My Mother was an amazing woman. She always took the time for people and people loved her for it. She raised three children while working in and running her beloved Merino Shop at Tarras. She also cooked for the shearers and musterers. She was also on many charities and gave a lot of her grandchildren and I talk about her often to Walter.
What was the best piece of wisdom you've received or can give when it comes to parenting?
When you lose someone as close to you as I was with my Mum you realise that time is precious. It flies by in an instant and the biggest advice I have is to put down your phone, stop being so busy and just be with your family. They will be your greatest source of joy so embrace it and be in the moment.
How do you approach dressing each morning now you're a Mother?
I definitely dress more for comfort these days. High heels are a thing of the past and instead I wear classic flat loafers. I choose lots of knits that are comfy but yet look elegant and beautiful. I like to pair back with lovely gold jewellery.
Has your personal style changed?
My style has developed to be more about buying investment pieces and pieces that are classic in style that I can team back with other pieces in my wardrobe. I find my favourite pieces are the ones I spent a lot of money on and you can just feel the quality everytime you wear it.
What do you do to make time for yourself?
This year I decided to de-stress. I was sick of being busy and always having a jumbled mind. I decided to make health and fitness a prority as I always prioritised work. I took up walking early in the morning around the Bendigo hills and listening to my favourite podcasts. I love this time to myself and when the world is just waking up. It is huge for my mental health and I normally listen to topics such as health and wellbring, women entepreneurs and financial advice.
It means I don't missout on time with Walter as he is still asleep. I also make sure I make time for my friends and saying yes to social invitiations as it's very easy to stay at home and hibernate!
Gemma- Production Manager and Queen-of-all trades and Sam, 8 years and Billy, 5 years.
Who were you before you became a Mother? What did your life look like?
From graduating from a fashion design degree I have worked in a fashion industry for the past 18 years working from large fashion companies to Perriam where I am today. I enjoyed travelling to different countries and living in big cities. Getting dressed up and going out dancing with my girlfriends was always fun times.
Can you share your journey to Motherhood.
I met my partner Rob 12 years ago at friend’s wedding here in Cromwell whilst I was living in Sydney and decided to make the move to NZ permanently. We now have two boys. The decision to settle in NZ was easy for lots of reasons the main one being such a safe place for my boys to grow up and have a child hood like I remember being back in the UK.
What surprised you most about Motherhood? And about yourself as a Mother?
The lack of sleep I don’t think anyone can prepare you for that, the demands on your body in those first few precious weeks are hard going. I think I used to think myself as a patience person but now I have two boys im not so sure.
Who are the women in your life where you have gained the most #inspHERation and how have they inspired/influenced your Motherhood journey?
As I live far away from my original home my friends have become my family and bonding over having the same aged children is something I have really valued over the past 8 years, when someone is on the similar journey to you, you find everything relatable.
What was the best piece of wisdom you’ve received or can give when it comes to parenting?
Always trust your own instincts.
How do you approach dressing each morning now you're a Mother? Has your personal style changed?
My everyday style has always been casual and quite simple, knitwear paired with denim which hasn’t changed much over the years, comfort is something I value.
What do you do to make time for yourself?
I love listening to health podcast and going for walks. Having time to read and plan my next holiday away.
Cynarra- Head of Creative and Digital with Marley, 5 years old and River, 2 years old.
Who were you before you became a Mother? What did your life look like?
I lived a very carefree, hectic life working in editorial and advertising fashion styling in Sydney and London. I got to travel a lot for work around the world and probably had too much fun going to fashion parties, shows and living my fashion best life.
Can you share your journey to Motherhood.
I fell pregnant with Marley unexpectedly, it definitely wasn't in my zero responsibility life plan. I decided to do it on my own and to try continue living my high-fashion life but reality soon hit pretty hard and I moved back to NZ to live with my parents when he was 4 months old. Coming home was bittersweet, life in NZ couldn't have been more of a juxtapostion and I pretty much stayed at home and only hung out with Marley, and family for over a year. Eventually I got over myself and embraced my new life with Marley and met my fiance Richie, finally moved out of parents house and was so lucky to have Rivvie two years ago. But I'll always be forever grateful to Marley for bringing me home.
What suprised you most about Motherhood? And about yourself as a Mother?
I think one thing that suprised me the most and that I still struggle with is the loss of self after you become a Mother. The whole instaneous nature of it, as soon as you give birth, your sense of self is completely obliterated, was a huge shock to me.
Who are the women in your life where you have gained the most #inspHERation and how have they inspired/influenced your Motherhood journey?
I'm forever in debt to my inspiring Mum. I don't know what she would've thought the day I called her to say I was pregnant with Marley and that I was going to do it alone in an expensive inappropriate apartment with an erratic job and no support system! But she never told me I couldn't or shouldn't, she only ever supported me and when I moved home she was a second Mother to Marley. I could never pay her back for the selfless love and time she gives to both my boys. I also get so much inspiration and support from my friends who are Mother's, they still see me as me and they get how messy and hard the journey is. They're always there with a wine and a yummy meal and shoulder to lean (or cry) on.
What was the best piece of wisdom you’ve received or can give when it comes to parenting?
Don't listen to anyone! Just trust your gut. People will always have opinions and will love to tell you them but at the end of the day you know who you are as a Mother and you know your child so you should trust yourself and your journey.
How do you approach dressing each morning now you're a Mother? Has your personal style changed?
I definitely give less thought into getting dressed now. My clothing used to be a pretty big part of my identity and how I presented myself to the world. It really defined me. Now I care less, buy smarter and less, and sell anything quickly that I don't get wear out of.
What do you do to make time for yourself?
I'm not very good at prioritising myself, it's something I definitely need to work on! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now that the boys are getting older though. Spending time with friends and family fills my cup and I'm also an avid reader so disappearing into a book is my favourite thing to do.
Jess- Photographer and Xanthe, 7 years and Lockie, 2 years.
Who were you before you became a Mother? What did your life look like?
Can you share your journey to motherhood.
We had Xanthe relatively easily when I was 27 and decided to try for our second when she was about 1 and a half. This is where we had a plot twist and struggled to conceive our second. It was a long 3 years with a lot of sadness and confusion. But we finally fell pregnant with our miracle boy Lockie who is now 2 1/2.
What surprised you most about motherhood? And about yourself as a Mother?
The relentlessness haha. Only half joking. How I thought I would magically know what to do in all situations and that a lot is trying to navigate what is right for you and your family at the time.
Who are the women in your life where you have gained the most #inspHERation and how have they inspired/influenced your motherhood journey?
My mum Chris is a huge inspiration to me. She was a solo parent when I was little and simultaneously trained to be a nurse (I have no idea how she did that). She instilled so many amazing values and traits within me and my brother and sister and is still one of the most loyal and loving humans I know.
What was the best piece of wisdom you’ve received or can give when it comes to parenting?
To be completely transparent I am currently on a parenting course because I do not have the all answers by a long shot, always learning. But one phrase that stuck with me was "Connection over Correction". We aren't perfect but if we are trying to see life through their eyes and try to connect over an issue it generally has better outcomes in our home.
How do you approach dressing each morning now you're a mother? Has your personal style changed?
This questions almost made me spit my coffee out ahah. I was rocking the activewear, mum bun, birks trend and definitely still love this for me ha. I guess dressing as a parent especially with a toddler who is ridiculously fast means it has to be practical. I need to be able to run fast, bend down and climb things without everyone seeing my undies - this mean non-stretch denim is banned from my wardrobe. When I dress for my job its quite different and I love wearing things that make me feel amazing and feminine.
What do you do to make time for yourself?
I have to schedule it or it doesn't happen. My current fave options are, walks on the beach, coffee with a friend, reading 10 pages and making a delish green juice.