Meet the Mothers
Sleepless nights, early morning starts, weekdays that blur into weekends and it’s Monday morning again. If this sounds familiar, you’re either a mother, a small business owner or perhaps even both. We caught up with the amazing women behind the brands we are partnering with for our Mother’s Day Giveaway to discover their favourite part of motherhood and the women who inspire them.
Dominique Hughes and Rebecca Da Silva Lima | JEM + BEA
Multi-award winning luxury accessories brand Jem + Bea was launched in 2015 by friends Dominique Hughes and Rebecca Da Silva Lima. Unable to find a desirable changing bag on the market when looking for themselves, they set about creating a collection that was both covetable and practical for stylish mothers. Before launching Jem + Bea, Rebecca designed for Mulberry, Anya Hindmarch and Burberry and Dominique, who has a serious handbag obsession, came from a law background, which gave them the perfect platform to start the brand.
Dominique lives in Wadhurst, East Sussex and has three children, Lola (aged 7), Alfred (aged 6), and Jemima (aged 4). Rebecca lives in Tunbridge Wells and has two daughters, Beatrice (aged 5) and Margot (aged 1).
How will you be spending Mother’s Day?
At home with our families, not doing any jobs or work hopefully. Dominique’s son loves his rugby so she’ll be trying to avoid the usual two hours on the sideline in the rain!
What’s your favourite part about being a mother?
That’s a tricky one as there are so many to chose from. We love it when our kids belly laugh and say funny things, their proud little faces when they learn to do something new, and night time cuddles.
What women have inspired you?
Both our mothers had been the leading ladies in our lives before they both became ill at an early age. It’s sadly something we both have in common but makes us appreciate the relationship we want to have with our children.
Which Auree pieces would you like for Mother’s Day?
We love the Birthstone Pendants for a personal gift and obsessing over the Iseo Labradorite Earrings.
Emma Davison | Olivier London
Emma set up Olivier London, a vintage-style cashmere knitwear and liberty-print clothing and accessories brand in November 2011. Emma was taught to knit by her Bulgarian nanny (who is now the Head of Production) and what started as a home-grown business, now has over 100 wholesale stores and a flagship store in South London which opened November 2017. The award-winning designs are traditional but always with an element of fun, whether it be a heart on the bottom or stars on the elbows, a little something to make you smile. One of Emma’s proudest moments was when Princess Charlotte was photographed wearing the Cream Cashmere Rose Stitch Cardigan (one of the competition prizes) for her official first birthday portrait.
Emma lives in Southfields with her three daughters, Amber (9), Rose (7) and Mabel (2).
How will you be spending Mother’s Day?
I will be spending Mothers Day by going for a long walk in Wimbledon or Richmond Park (our two favourite London Parks) followed by a lovely pub lunch with my family.
What’s your favourite part about being a mother?
My favourite thing about being a mother is watching your children learn and grow as individuals and to see what fascinates and divides them. Despite having three girls who all have the same two parents and same upbringing, their characters are so different to each other and this inspires me and brings such excitement and diversity to our lives. I love how the dimensions alter when I have two of my three girls with me at at a time and I can see their bonds and personalities change with each relationship.
What women have inspired you?
I am surrounded by brilliant and inspirational women, not least my mother and my sister who are both wonderful mothers and an enormous support to my family and me but two huge influencers on my working life and work ethos are Cath Kidston (who I used to work for) for her creativity and the way she evolved her idea of pattern into a huge phenomenon, and Dame Natalie Massanet who founded Net A Porter and ultimately changed the way people shop. Two very powerful examples of inspirational women who through hard work and determination can turn their ideas into world renowned businesses.
Which Auree pieces would you like for Mother’s Day?
I have always wanted a Russian Wedding Ring (hint hint husband!) and the Walton Three Colour Russian Wedding Ring is utterly beautiful. I love the fact it is three different golds and I would have my three daughter’s names engraved on each ring.
I absolutely love the Chelsea Egg Necklace in Yellow Gold as my children’s favourite time of year is Easter (I wonder why!) and my favourite season is Spring.
Finally I wear earrings regularly so a sweet Mother’s Day gift would be the Manhattan Gold and Lapis Lazuli Gemstone earrings. Lapis Lazuli is my birthstone and I am lucky it is as that colour blue is heaven and a favourite of mine.
Amelia Carmichael | Auree Jewellery
Amelia lives in Wandsworth and has a little boy called Rory aged 18 months.
How will you be spending Mother’s Day?
This year we will be in Sussex with my mother. My parents live by the sea so we will probably have a long walk on the beach to the Lobster Pot for coffee and then home for Sunday lunch.
What’s your favourite part about being a mother?
His constant giggling and sheer joy towards everything. It is a very good reminder not take life too seriously and how important laughing and smiling is. Children take pleasure from the smallest things and it’s something I think we should all do more of.
What women have inspired you?
Amelia Earhart. Adventurous, brave and determined, she was the first lady to fly solo across the Atlantic. Everyone said she shouldn’t even attempt it which only spurred her to go on and do it. I love her attitude to life.
Which Auree pieces would you like for Mother’s Day?
Our new Northcote Pendant in Sterling Silver with Rory’s fingerprint, a Bali Birthstone Bracelet engraved with his date of birth on the reverse or the Salina Earrings in Aqua Onyx.
Emma Dalrymple | Isla and Wilbur
Created two years ago by husband and wife team Hamish & Emma Dalrymple, Isla and Wilbur was born of a passion to recreate their own childhoods in Scotland and the Cotswolds respectively. Having grown up on farms, they both wanted to reflect this in their own children’s bedrooms by using hand-drawn characters combined with colours that complement contemporary interior design. From there Isla the lamb and Wilbur the highland calf were born.
Emma lives in the Cotswolds and has two children, Isla (aged 5) and Rory (aged 3).
How will you be spending Mother’s Day?
With my family, if I’m lucky I’ll get a bit of a lie in and breakfast in bed.
What’s your favourite part about being a mother?
Watching them grow and change the whole time. We’re lucky enough to live where I grew up and so there are plenty of childhood memories which I can tell them about. Isla & Rory have started learning to ride, which they’re loving and is fantastic as riding and pony club are amongst my favourite childhood memories.
What women have inspired you?
I am inspired by all working Mums – I have always wanted to keep the mental stimulation of working, and am very lucky to be able to do something that I enjoy so much.