“Thank goodness for mothers” is a common refrain, and one that shall be made by cards, flowers, chocolates and presents all over the country this weekend as we celebrate the pivot of the family. Celebrations of motherhood have occurred around the world for centuries – from the Greek cult to Cybele, an Anatolian mother goddess who became the state deity of Phrygia in the 8th century BC to the 16th century Christian celebration of Mothering Sunday, which was originally a day when the worshipper returned to their mother church. The first modern iteration of Mother’s Day took place in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia. A campaign followed to make it a recognised holiday, which was successful in 1914, although – as is the tale with so many of these well meant ideas – she soon became disillusioned by its commercialisation.
We are all aware of the ruthless push that retail companies put into days such as this, however, the purity of the Mother's Day sentiment remains, and here at AnOther we wanted to remember what it is really all about. With that in mind, we asked photographer Barbara Anastacio to photograph and interview mothers and daughter pairings in and around New York, resulting in startlingly beautiful portraits of family love, and an insight into this most primal and loving of relationships.
Frances Tulk Hart & her baby daughter Dotti (above) Where is your favourite place to take your child? I love taking Dotti to hang out with friends and/or family. She's a social little bunny and it also means there are lots of spare hands to hold her! What's your favourite outfit your child owns? I have to say there is nothing cuter than a naked Dotti... What would you like for Mother's Day? A day at a spa. What has being a mother taught you? Wow I could go on for days, it has been one of the steepest learning curves of my life! But in a nut shell, I would say that the penny is beginning to drop about what's really important in life. I get these sudden flashes that illuminate the obvious, it's fascinating! In theory we all know that love, family and friendship are the most important things but more often than not the ego pushes and shoves it's way to the front of the line and we get so caught up in me me me. Since starting my own little family though it's been really interesting (and hard) to experience the wrestling match between these conflicting emotions. I love little Dots with such a ferocious primal gut wrenching love that most everything I do now I do for her and our little family. Don't get me wrong I'm no selfless mother, it's just that it's about "us" now as opposed to just "me". It's such a lovely warm cosy feeling. On a lighter note it has also taught me to be way more organised and to pee really fast!
Michal Gamily & Halleli GamilyPhotography by Barbara Anastacio, Make up by Asami Matsuda
Michal Gamily and Halleli Gamily Peleg Where is your favourite place to take your child? Michal Gamily: The theater and the park. What’s your favourite outfit your child owns? MG: This peacock costume that was made for puppeteer Jane Catherine's show What would you like for Mother's Day? MG: Mother's day is everyday, I don't celebrate it especially. What has being a mother taught you? MG: Being a mother taught me that I know nothing. It challenges me on a daily basis and it makes you look at yourself in a different light. It's a constant test. I think being a mother is like a job and fathers get all the fun. I became a mother at an old age but if I could I would have another one.
Where is your favourite place to go with your mother? Halleli Gamily Peleg: The park What’s your favourite outfit your mother wears? HGP: Her black dress Describe your mother in three words? HGP: Great, lovely, sweet What has your mother taught you? HGP: A lot of things – how to charge the i-Pad, how to ride a bike plus a tao wheel scooter, how to jump the rope...
Abigail Deville & Zahira E. DeVillePhotography by Barbara Anastacio, Make up by Asami Matsuda
Zahira E. DeVille & Abigail Deville Where is your favourite place to take your children? Zahira E. DeVille: Our dining room table. Over the years we have shared quite an assortment of comments, opinions, foolishness, stories and nonsensical songs. What's your favourite outfit your children own? ZED: When my child (Abigail) wears one of her many fake furs with a hat it makes the buttons on my jacket get a little tighter. What would you like for Mother's Day? ZED: Two sons in law and one daughter in law (to add to the fun). What has being a mother taught you? ZED: This is not a simple question to answer. I am still learning. Initially, one of the lessons was that these children did not ask to come here and therefore one had to absolutely do the best one could for them (unconditionally, all the time, whether one felt like it or not). Decisions used to be made based on the good of the children. One of the most meaningful things as the parent of adult children is that I love and totally enjoy the people they have become (three very distinct personalities). They make me laugh and help me understand situations from different perspectives. I have learned that whatever we have to do in order to enjoy healthy relationships is worth every effort and the dividends are priceless.
Where is your favourite place to go with your mother? Abigail Deville: The supermarket, where she examines the packages of every item and deliberates over every purchase selecting carefully what goes into the shopping cart. What's your favourite outfit your mother wears? AD: This is a difficult question; my mother has a collection of 200 blazers for every season, day of the week and possible occasion. Describe your mother in three words? AD: Fiercely loyal, loving, devoted. What has your mother taught you? AD: My Mother has taught me Love. The strength of character that is necessary when you love someone or something. Her unwavering strength has taught me to zero in on what I love and pursue that wholeheartedly.
Johanna Methusalemsdottir & India MenuezPhotography by Barbara Anastacio, Make up by Asami Matsuda
Johanna Methusalemsdottir & India Menuez Where is your favourite place to take your children? Johanna Methusalemsdottir: Nature is the place where they are most free to be themselves and express themselves. This is most important to me as a mother, and this is why we have a new home in the Catskills Mountains. What's your favourite outfit your children own? JM: Anything they've made for themselves and for each other. They're true expressions of their creativity which is something our family places a lot of value in. I am the founder and designer of Kria Jewelry, and my is a visual artist and musician. What would you like for Mother's Day? JM: Time with my girls to enjoy their beautiful spirit. What has being a mother taught you? JM: That you give life to your children, but that you do not own them. You give them your whole self as a mother, and you get the privilege of being a part of their growth and a part of the foundation for it.
Where is your favourite place to go with your mother? India Menuez: Our home upstate, Brekkukot. What is your favourite thing your mother wears? IM: (Call me cheesy) a smile. How would you describe your mother in three words? IM: Radiant, delicate and strong. What has your mother taught you? IM: My mother taught me how to care.
Susan Borja Vendil & Sugar VendilPhotography by Barbara Anastacio, Make up by Asami Matsuda
Susan Borja Vendil & Sugar Vendil Where is your favourite place to take your childeren? Susan Borja Vendil: Europe and the Philippines. What's your favourite outfit your childeren own? SBV: I love everything in my daughter's closet! Sometimes I ask her to give me things when she's tired of them. My son, Ryan, however…he could use some fashion advice! What would you like for Mother's Day? SBV: An Hermes bag! Or flowers will do. What has being a mother taught you? SBV: It has taught me the importance of spending time with your children, no matter how busy you are. I was lucky enough to own my office, where Sugar could come after school and be in the same place as me. The time you can spend with your children is precious; don't take it for granted!
Where is your favourite place to go with your mother? Sugar Vendil: When my mom visits NY, I love taking her to Cafe Gitane at the Jane Hotel. What's your favourite outfit your mother wears? SV: When she wears black leggings, a blouse, either Chanel or Dior sneakers, and her large fur coat, topped off with a Burberry cap and big glasses! Makes her look like a rapper. Describe your mother in three words? SV: Loving, Tough, Silly (in a fun way!) What has your mother taught you? SV: As an immigrant who started her own successful business, my mother taught me how to be my own boss and showed me that I can make things happen. Seeing her example of being an entrepreneur with both struggles and successes, I think, has really shaped the way I approach my own dreams and ambitions.
Stephens and Zelde BeyPhotography by Barbara Anastacio, Make up by Asami Matsuda
Fay Cantor Stephens and Zelde Bey (Aged 2.4) Where is your favourite place to take your child? Fay Cantor Stephens: Locally, the Children’s Museum of Arts. Out of NYC, anywhere with open spaces for a good run around. What’s your favourite outfit your child owns? FCS: Probably the tutu that her Great Aunty Sue made for her. It’s a little bit sentimental and a lot of lovely. Plus Zelde is very entertaining when she dances in it. What would you like for Mother's Day? FCS: An extra four hours of sleep please! PLEASE. What has being a mother taught you? FCS: That every move you make matters. You are always being watched.
Where is your favourite place to go with your mother? Zelde Bey: Swimming. What’s your favourite outfit your mother wears? ZB: Black. Describe your mother in three words? ZB: Funny, happy, hungry. What has your mother taught you? ZB: I love books!
Ivy Nicholson & Penelope PalmerPhotography by Barbara Anastacio, Make up by Asami Matsuda
Ivy Nicholson & Penelope Palmer Where is your favourite place to take your children? Ivy Nicholson: Mostly beaches but we also used to adore going to Warhol Parties. The lady who owned the Gershwin sold it and we had one last party recently and got all dressed up. What's your favourite outfit your children own? IN: I love to see my daughter in sequin dresses. that's what I like her to wear. What would you like for Mother's Day? IN: Lots of hugs and phone calls from the sons who don't live in New York. Or a card with little cats on it. Maybe a little celebration. What has being a mother taught you? IN: It's the joy of my life. No matter how far from each other, you're always going to keep close together - they're your blood! It's wonderful. it's been rough and tough but I did it!
Where is your favourite place to go with your mother? Penelope Palmer: We love going to galleries together because we like to dress up, meet interesting people and get photographed. We also often go shopping together and my mother always gives me the best advice on clothes. What’s your favourite outfit your mother wears? PP: Long velvet skirts. Describe your mother in 3 words? PP: Elegant, adventurous, comical What has your mother taught you? PP: She taught me how to pose for photographs. She taught me how to wear hats, because she always said I was to pretty to go out without one. She taught me how to respect oneself, take care of the house, always choose the right boyfriend, going out with the right man and marry a rich man if that's possible. Haha. She taught me how to stand up for your own self and that it's important to do artistic things.
Wendy Osserman and Liz Magic LaserPhotography by Barbara Anastacio
Wendy Osserman and Liz Magic Laser Where is your favourite place to take your child? Wendy Osserman: To an interesting play, something edgy that she would like. What’s your favourite outfit your child owns? WO: A Margiela convertible sweater that her boyfriend gave her last year. What would you like for Mother's Day? WO: To be together with my daughter and spend time talking about our upcoming project , because we're talking about doing a performance together in North Carolina. What has being a mother taught you? WO: To try to listen and not guide anymore. Because people need to be listened to and not told what to do.
Where is your favourite place to go with your mother? Liz Magic Laser: Yoga and lunch. What’s your favourite outfit your mother wears? I like that she wears sexy pleather pants that are more outrageous than anything I'd ever wear. Describe your mother in 3 words? Kooky, talented and generous. What has your mother taught you? LML: I'm still learning from her how to be happy and positive. And she taught me how to be an artist.
