Our beautiful General Manager Clare van den Berg is our next mother muse for 'Mothers in Cashmere'. Her gentle effervescence is completely infectious and we adore having her a part of the Elle & Riley family.
To Clare "Cashmere is nostalgia. It makes you feel wrapped up, warm, cosy & secure. These are all the things I want my children to feel, always."
Clare's beautiful mother used to say to her "we are only lent our children: we raise them, nurture & nourish them but then we must let them spread their wings & fly" which we believe are wonderfully wise words to parent by.
Read Clare's Q&A below.
What does being a mother to your gorgeous kiddies Harvey and Marni mean to you?
EVERYTHING! They are our little miracles & every day I feel incredibly grateful. Being a mum is the absolute best. My mum used to say to me that we are only lent our children: we raise them, nurture & nourish them but then we must let them spread their wings & fly. For now I want to keep them close & cherish every moment. They really do grow up so fast - Harvey is 9 & Marni is 4. Everyday it is amazing to see the little people they are becoming and I am beyond proud.
As a mother, how do you emulate the warmth and tenderness you received from your own mother?
By telling them everyday how much I love them as well as trying to create memories & laughter. As a child I always wanted to hear this & loved it when my Mum said this to me. To be there for them. I guess for children it is the simple, small things that they hold onto and cherish. Harvey remembers everything, and often every situation he remembers and loves is often the most simple. Love & warmth & cuddles. Holding them as close as I can! They both still hold my hand, I am cherishing this as long as I can!
In what ways does the softness and elegance of cashmere reflect the timeless love and support you've received from your mother throughout your life?
Cashmere is nostalgia. It makes you feel wrapped up, warm, cosy & secure. These are all the things I want my children to feel, always.
How will you spend Mother’s Day this year?
This Mother’s Day will be my first Mother’s Day without my Mum so it will be incredibly hard. I will visit my Mum with Harvey & Marni. My Mum was their second Mum, a huge huge part of our life. We will all be together, doing something simple in nature. A walk on the beach, wrapped up in cashmere & a great warm travel wrap wrapped around the three of us as we sit and chat on the beach.
Question for Harvey and Marni - describe your mama in 3 words!
Marni- 'kind, mermaid in the glowing water, I love you'
Harvey- 'kind, the best & pretty'