For Mother’s Day, our editors share their favourite pieces from their mother’s fashion collection, and the deep meaning it holds for them and the bond they share with their mothers.
For many women who love fashion and the art of beauty, their consciousness and love for it began with their mother. The first touchpoint for everything in life, our mothers’ style, beauty, and fashion practices shape us in so many ways, forging lifelong memories, habits and bonds. For Mother’s Day, our editors share items from their mothers’ wardrobes that hold powerful and meaningful memories.
An eclectic collection of accessories
For Denise, our Ag. Managing Editor, her mother’s eclectic collection of jewellery shaped her passion for adornment with accessories:
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been utterly captivated by the gorgeous, kindhearted woman I’m lucky to call my mother. She has always been a vision of style and radiance. Her signature red lipstick, bold hairstyles, and statement accessories have shaped my own sense of style to this day.” She shared that constantly witnessing her mother embrace her bold style gave her the courage to follow in her footsteps.
“As a child, stepping into her bedroom felt like entering a treasure trove — jewellery displayed like art, each piece telling a story. She adorned herself with chunky bangles, eclectic beads, and everything in between. Her jewellery has endlessly inspired my love for jewellery. Her nose rings became the blueprint for mine and so much more. At birth, she and my dad gifted me a 24-karat gold bracelet engraved with my name — a symbol of their love that I still cherish. I love her endlessly.”
A treasured heirloom
For Tobi, our Content Editor, her mother’s love for colour and gold accessories feels inherent and inherited. “My mum was a fashion girlie from a young age. Whenever I saw pictures of her younger self, it wasn’t hard to reconcile with who she was as I got older. She was fashionable from time, accessorising with lots of jewellery, bags, and oversized sunglasses. I take after her with the love for accessories and jewellery. Even after she stopped wearing jewellery (for religious reasons), she was still fashionable. Whenever she had an event, or owambe she’d call me to ask what colour of gele or shoes or bag would go with the dress she was wearing. She loved colourful clothing, and I see that in myself too.”
She talks about inheriting a family heirloom that means so much more to her now that her mother has passed.
“When I was little, in one of her wedding pictures, I saw a gold necklace she wore for the traditional ceremony and instantly fell in love with it. Though she had stopped wearing jewellery at the time, she said she had kept it when I asked her about the necklace. As I got older, I kept asking until she eventually gave it to me when I turned 27. It’s still as good as new, even after 33 years in storage. She passed away last year, and now that necklace is one of my most prized possessions. It makes me feel like I still have a part of her with me.”
A special piece for special occasions
Our Copy Editor, Esther, shares her love for gold jewellery just from witnessing a treasured timepiece from her mother’s collection. “My mum cherishes gold jewellery, and one standout piece in her collection is her gold Westar wristwatch. She received this watch as a wedding gift from her mother, and she treasures it like a historian cherishes a priceless artefact. While she wears other accessories, including leather and silver wristwatches, this Westar wristwatch is reserved for special occasions. Remarkably, even after over two decades, the wristwatch and its box still look as good as new, solidifying the watch’s status as exceptional jewellery.
Her passion for gold accessories has greatly influenced my own choices. I’ve found myself curating more gold pieces (though not all are the real deal, lol) rather than silver. I also have a special gold wristwatch that I reserve for important occasions. I’m grateful to my mum for setting the standard for gold accessories and highlighting the significance of having a special piece for memorable events.”
A shared passion for thrifting
Our Fashion & Beauty Editor Wumi learnt how to be stylish by thrift shopping with her mother and how she played with colours, textures and structure.
“My mum is a fashion queen. Growing up, I enjoyed our thrift-shopping experiences the most. She showed me the importance of finding unique yet versatile pieces to create a stylish persona. I also loved seeing her pictures from when she was younger. The way she played with vintage prints, colours and structures has inspired my fashion choices along the way.”
Also, her mother’s love for quirky, fun accessories influenced her own choices in accessorising outfits. “One particular accessory that influenced the type of accessories I lean towards is an Indian jewellery set she bought over 20 years ago. I remember laughing at the yellow-gold colour and teasing her about being swayed by her love for Zee World movies. When I had my introduction ceremony, I was stressing out over not getting the right accessories for my outfit, and she graciously offered me that same set. It was a perfect match, reminding me of why I never doubted her fashion choices.”
As every traditional Yoruba woman knows, Aso-oke can also be a family heirloom. “I also love her collection of Aso-oke and used the same one she got for her birthday 20 years ago for my pre-wedding shoot. It was beautiful. I love how, even now, she still puts effort into her daily looks for work and events. It’s always exciting watching her pair items together to create iconic looks. My style hero for real!”
An inherited boldness
For Inem, our Features Editor, her mother’s bold style and magnetic choice of scents set trends for her peers and serve as lifelong inspiration for her own fashion choices. “My mum is the ultimate fashion girlie. Growing up, she wasn’t just stylish; she was a trendsetter. The other mums would often follow her lead, but she always stayed ten steps ahead. With her signature gold-tinted low cut, bold outfit choices, and that unforgettable scent that lingered long after she’d left a room, she was impossible to miss. Her bedroom felt like a curated boutique—lined with perfume bottles, elegant shoes, statement bags, and clothes that told stories of joy, confidence, and reinvention.
Among all her cherished pieces, the ones I remember most fondly are her gold hoop earrings. Over the years, she’s had countless pairs, each slightly different but always unmistakably her. Red lips, gold hoops, and delicate studs lining her earlobes—that was her armour. It wasn’t loud, but it was powerful. There was always something about it that said, I know who I am. Try me if you can.”
She speaks of sharing her mother’s collection as she’s now a grown woman herself.
“Now, as an adult, I find myself constantly reaching for her jewellery. Most of my favourite pieces are ones she either gave me or I “borrowed” from her. One of my most treasured items is a pair of gold hoops she gave me a few years ago. Whenever I wear them, it’s like carrying a piece of her with me. They make me stand a little taller, walk more confidently, and remember the woman who taught me that true style is not just about what you wear, but how you wear it.”
These cherished pieces from our mothers’ wardrobes are more than just fashion items—they are symbols of love, history, and personal expression. Each piece carries memories that shape our identities and connect us to the women who inspired us. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we honour the timeless influence of our mothers’ style, a legacy that continues to live on in us.
