Maternal Instinct
nurturing a mother-daughter relationship entails a lot more than just spending time together. this month, we unveil some stories about what it takes for these inspiring moms and daughters to bring their bonds to a whole new level
The Fashionable Duo
n photography
budi kosasih, words tyara p hansel
“fashion brings them closer” is exactly how to describe the mother-and-daughter relationship between Sherly Worth and her eldest daughter, Michelle Worth. After opening their flagship boutique, Michelle Worth’s Design Studio (MWDS), a few months ago, now Sherly and Michelle are working together to develop Sherly’s new fashion line, Resort Chic Collection. “I’m partnering with my good friends from Europe and the US for this fashion line, and Michelle is helping me as a design consultant,” says the mother of three. “Having the same passion for fashion and working together with my daughter bring us even closer, as it requires us to spend time together—for instance, having a lunch meeting every once in a week, discussing about the business.” Michelle’s fervour for fashion comes from her mother. “It’s from the way my mom dresses, what she has bought, and how she matches things up—all things to which I’ve been exposed since I was young,” Michelle says. But unlike any other mother and daughter, Michelle and Sherly don’t pass their stuffs around. “We have our own collection, so we wear our own dresses, shoes, and make-up products. We have different clothing and shoe sizes, so it’s impossible to share those things,” Sherly explains. When it comes to raising her children, Sherly says she never spoils them. “I would not spoonfeed my children. I would give them what they need to live, provide them with the best education and environment for their career, and
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guide them toward the achievement of their goals. But I would not buy them lavish things because they have to earn them on their own,” says Sherly, who considers herself a “tiger mom”. “Since they were little, I’ve always taught them to have responsibilities. Every once a week, they have to cook, bake, or even wash the car to earn their pocket money. I put pressure on my kids and make sure that they learn about life because life is not always beautiful.” Michelle feels so lucky to have Sherly as her mom and finds it hard to describe her in one word. “She is always there when I need her; she’s very supportive of my work, life, and love life. She has that loving-mother side, but she’s also strict and has very high expectations,” says the young lady who is a graduate of Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, Italy. Sherly isn’t doing this unconventional upbringing for nothing. All the family values she tries to apply to her children, especially Michelle, are aimed at moulding them into independent learners. “I want Michelle to be a great mother one day. So I’m trying to show her how a good mother should be. Also, as Michelle is currently building her career, I’m trying to demonstrate to her how to be a professional— by coming on time, keeping promises, and dealing with staffs and other responsibilities properly at work. It’s important to be a good role model for your children,” concludes Sherly, who admits that some part of Michelle reminds her of herself when she was young.
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may 2012