As we approach Mother’s Day, we reflect on motherhood and how it ties us to our children, our mothers and our friends in new and challenging ways. To explore this pivotal connection, we spoke with Sheree Commerford, who is helping R.M.Williams celebrate the love of mothers this up-and-coming Mothers Day – founder of Canvas Bottega and Il Delfino Seaside Inn. About how her relationships have changed, especially her connection to fashion throughout the generations.
What Does Being A Mum Mean To You?
For Commerford, being a mum “has been my greatest teacher. It challenges me every day to be a better person. It simply means everything to me.” But becoming a mother can bring new changes to your own relationship with your mum. For Commerford, she finds the relationship to be “ever evolving.” While the love might be a constant, the “understanding of her becomes deeper.”
“It’s given me a profound respect for her, a clearer understanding of her love and the sacrifices she made.” It’s this journey of motherhood that intrinsically links women in such an intangible way.
Sheree Commerford On Fashion
As the founder of Australian fashion label Canvas Bottega, Commerford has a deep knowledge of fashion. She was first drawn to fashion by her parents. Because it was important to her parents that they “always dressed well, even if times were tough, my mother would find fabric and make our clothes.” As a self-taught seamstress, it was her mother who showed her that “great style comes from knowing who you are, having the confidence to be yourself.”
To treat her mum to this shared love of fashion, Commerford plans on spoiling her with the R.M.Williams Olney Shirt in Pink ($199 from R.M.Williams). Because “she is all class, that woman, and wears it perfectly as a woman on the land.”
Her own relationship with her daughter Sugar has seen this love for fashion continue. And unsurprisingly, her daughter has started ‘borrowing’ some of her clothes.
Although Commerford is quick to comment that there are “some solid boundaries” (which she respects) “about what she can borrow.” This open wardrobe goes both ways, with Commerford saying that she’s “started borrowing her clothes here and there” as well. And of course, her own mum has benefited, because for Commerford, “there is nothing more enjoyable than giving mum clothes or taking her shopping. She is my muse.”
If you’re wondering how to build a wardrobe to stand the test of time by someone whose philosophy lies so strongly in practical yet beautiful fashion, then Commerford suggests “start with the foundations; who you are. If you begin with what makes you feel good, rather than what is in season or in fashion, you will naturally establish a timelessness in your choices.” For her, the quality craftsmanship of R.M.Williams is a one that can “provide the essentials for your foundational wardrobe with items not determined by trends.”
Passing On Advice
The piece of advice passed on by her beautiful mum that’s stuck with her forever is that “it doesn’t matter if you get it wrong, what matters is that you tried.” And similarly, her own advice for her kids is to “hold onto what your gut tells you, it’s a superpower.”
Even though motherhood and the journey it’s taken her on is such an important part of the tapestry of her life, she (like all mothers) needs to keep the connection to herself. She does this through her female friendships. They keep her “deeply rooted in who I am outside of motherhood, always reminding me of and championing my dreams.”
The images of witches in a coven come to mind as they “give that life source to one another. It’s a little bit magical the way we understand each other.”
On Mindful Gifting
As we approach Mother’s Day, we should consider the gifts we’re buying our mums (or our mum friends) and think beyond an empty gesture.
For Commerford, she considers, “will that person use it? Is it really them, or am I just ticking a box?” She “truly believes a gift given without any real thought to who the person is and what brings them joy is worse than not getting a gift at all.” It’s this realisation, and the ability to answer these questions, that makes the “joy of giving that gift much greater.” If you’re looking to help your loved ones build that timeless wardrobe or are hoping to invest in a few key pieces yourself, then here are a few of our suggestions.
R.M.Williams
Alice Saddle Suede Day Bag in ‘Cocoa’
R.M.Williams
Moriarty Boot in ‘Chocolate Raisin’
R.M.Williams
Cassidy Belt in ‘Chocolate’
R.M.Williams
Casuarina Lambswool Zip Knit in ‘Grey
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
How The Connection To Land, Community And Culture Transformed A Fashion Collaboration Into A Movement
Native ad body.
