Why We Named These Pieces After Our Mothers
May 10, 2019 | Filed in: Your Closet
So much of what we write about on The M Dash highlights inspirational women who are making waves in their respective industries. But for many of us, the most inspiring woman we know is our mom (aww). Here at M.M., we have a tradition of letting each employee choose a piece to name. In advance of each collection, employees who are next in line to name a garment get to peek at sketches of the new products and choose one to claim as their namesake. Some name their garment after themselves, and many choose to name it after their mothers. In honor of Mother’s Day, we talked with 9 M.M. employees about why they chose to name their namesake piece for their moms.
The Susan Dress
The Susan dress in sahara.
Named after the mother of our associate director of visual merchandising, Caroline.
How did you decide to name your M.M. piece after your mom?
It’s long, lean and elegant, just like my mom.
Did you tell your mom you were naming a piece after her, or was it a surprise?
I told her the minute I picked it! Holding back exciting news has never really been my thing. She was so honored to be a part of M.M. history.
The Gosia Dress
The Gosia dress in wave crepe.
Named after the mother of our pop-up manager, Klaudia.
Did you tell your mom you were naming a piece after her, or if it was a surprise?
Surprise! It was an early Christmas present for her and my aunt who was visiting from London. My mom stalks the M.M. website so I was afraid she was going to see it up on the site before I gave it to her.
What’s the best piece of advice your mom has given you?
My mother taught me by example, not advice, per se. I learned by watching her that a mother-daughter connection is lifelong and irreplaceable. I’ve always known that my mother cherished daily conversation with her own mother (on the phone, then living together as my grandma got older). I live in my own place now, and I’ve grown the same habit and built an irreplaceable bond. Communication is the way to the heart and I call her every day.
The Constance Dress
The Constance dress in turmeric.
Named after the mother of our offline regional manager, Janna.
Is this piece a good fit for your mom?
My mom is always on the go, and she has a way of making everyone around her comfortable. The Constance dress is similar, in that it’s machine washable, so it’s good for travel, and it’s really easy to wear. A comfortable dress for a busy woman—I couldn’t have picked a better dress if I tried!
What is your favorite memory with your mom?
Every year my mom makes sure she’s with me on my birthday, no matter where I live. She comes to wherever I live at the time: college, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, and now Chicago.
The Vivi Top
The Vivi top in flannel.
Named after the mother of our photo and video production manager, Rina.
How did you decide to name your namesake piece after your mom?
My mother is the strongest woman I know, and I thought she would appreciate having her name in the M.M. collection, feeling ever-lasting and appreciated by others who wear it!
Did you tell your mom you were naming it after her, or if it was a surprise?
It was a total surprise. She had the cutest response and was completely amazed that [naming a dress after her] was even an option.
The Babette Blazer
The Babette blazer in crinkle crepe.
Named after the mother of our experience operations coordinator, Huy.
How did you decide to name your namesake piece after your mom?
I saw the sketch and immediately thought it had that Parisian, high-low chic look to it. My mom’s a total Francophile.
What’s the best piece of advice your mom has given you?
“Remember where you came from.” She always knew how to check my ego.
The Meena Sweater
The Meena sweater in pearl.
Named after the mother of our accounting associate, Stepheny.
How did you decide to name your namesake piece after your mom?
I named the Meena sweater after my mom because she is the realest woman I know. She genuinely cares for things much bigger than herself and will fight for what’s right. The sweater looks like the perfect go-to sweater: simple, but does wonders for comfort and warmth—sort of like my mom.
What does your mom think of the piece?
She thinks it’s beautiful, and loves wearing it during NYC winters. She wore it for a family party and told everyone it was her sweater.
The Nanette Dress
The Nanette dress in dark spruce.
Named after the mother of our acquisition marketing associate, Eryn.
How did you decide to name your namesake piece after your mom?
I always knew I wanted to name something after my mom, who is my favorite human in the world. As she’s often on-the-go, her style tends to be more casual. I thought something with a relaxed silhouette would work well for her.
What’s the best piece of advice your mom has given you?
“Be good to yourself and always wear sunscreen.”
The Pamela Dress
The Pamela dress in tuxedo.
Named after the mother of our site merchandise coordinator, Kaitlyn.
Why did you decide to name your namesake piece after your mom?
My mom is my hero. Plus, my namesake piece was a part of our Holiday 2018 collection, and I thought it would be the perfect Christmas gift.
Do you have a favorite memory with your mom?
The week before I started my sophomore year in college, we took a road trip down to school. We stopped in Asheville, Nashville, Memphis, and even drove into Arkansas just to say we visited the state before finally arriving in New Orleans.
The Miyuki Top
The Miyuki top in ice.
Named after the mother of our jewelry coordinator, Yuki.
Why did you decide to name your namesake piece after your mom?
It has a beautiful, Japanese kimono-like shape. It reminds me of my mom so much.
Did you tell your mom you were naming a piece after her, or was it a surprise?
She doesn’t know—I’ll be surprising her for Mother’s Day!
In need of a last-minute Mother’s Day gift? It’s not too late for an e-gift card!