My mom grew up with very modest means in a war torn time, during late 70′s and early 80′s, Central America was being divided by civil war in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. The only way a woman could succeed was to have a higher education (which meant having an affluent background) or escaping the country. My mother at the age of 15, with only a second grade education and a suitcase decided to leave her small village with her sisters and traveled to Guatemala City. During the early 80′s, it was the garment and textile boom in Central America, before China the U.S. had manufacturing plants in these Latin countries because labor was cheap and the proximity facilitated logistics. Continue reading below….
[Top: Me with my mom rockin' the primary colors, lol. Bottom: My mom (cobalt blue dress) w/ maquila coworkers - mom's fav nautical stripes, yes that's an original 80's care bear & smurf cabinet sticker! ]
My mother entered these new factories and sweatshops known as maquilas, where many young women were given an opportunity to make a living and learn a trade. From that moment on, my mother with what little money she made, saved it and sent it to my grandparents, then took care of her expenses and if she still had some money left, used it to dress herself or buy fabrics to make dresses and outfits she would see on TV. Cable was almost unheard of but at the maquilas they would play MTV and many 80′s popular shows (e.g. Miami Vice). One day, my mom stopped at a breakfast stand where she met an annoyingly stubborn but handsome man who had stopped to get coffee on his way to college, that man was my father and the rest is history.
My mom continued to work during and after her pregnancy with me, at that time she liked wearing bold primary colors and stripes (guess it runs in the family!). My mom also enjoyed making me kid friendly versions of the outfits she would see in her favorite Telenovelas, lol. I learned to appreciate fashion at a young age because I knew how hard my mom had to work to earn a living, I am also very proud that even-though she had to work for long hours, she decided to continue studying and earned her High School equivalent.
I love my mom dearly and respect her for the sacrifices she made to give me and my sister a better life, although we had our rough times, I will always admire and love her unconditionally. Te quiero mucho mamita!
Happy Mothers Day!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Glendy. Glendy said: With her modest means while working long hrs as a seamstress she taught me the real meaning of fashion, My Mom -http://tinyurl.com/2bc7zge [...]
how cute is this! my moms my fashion icon as well, hehe! love the 50′s and beginning 60′s
.-= agnes´s last blog ..Chanel, Ma Cheri… =-.
I noticed a lot of fashionable girls have mamas who also like fashion :D Great post! All the best to your mom =]
Great post! Your moms story reminds me of my moms. My didn’t work at a maquila in Mexico or other country. My mom worked at garment factory here in the US. She was bit older when she worked there. I would go visit her at her job where she sewed some awesome 80′s clothing. I remember because my parents had 5 kids we didn’t have $$ to buy designer name brands. My mom made some of my clothes and although the kids at school sometimes made fun of me. My teachers all complemented me and loved my dresses. Growing up my mom was not really “fashionable” that I can remember. But she always made sure her kids looked well groomed and clean. Thanks for sharing your story and pics of your mom. Love the pic of your mom in jeans and cropped striped tee. I can see someone wearing that outfit today! LOL
.-= Cid´s last blog ..Trends & Friends: Army/Utility Jackets =-.
@ Cid
Awww how wonderful that your mom made your clothes, my mom also continued working here in the US in garment factories until the mid 90′s and I learned to sew from her. Hmm I could ask my mom about that striped top since I remember she made it but she’ll get mad at me for posting her pics and after bitching at me for some time then…. she’ll tell how to make a similar top, lol. Gotta Love my mom XD
Much love,
Glendy
This reminds me of my mom and her family. I’ve inherited many of the clothes that they had made in the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s. They were migrant farm workers and they either purchased clothes from garage sales or made clothes modeled after the times. I have this beautiful 1950′s dress that my great aunt made out of blue cotton that I wore to my high school homecoming dance.
My mom is not that fashion oriented, but then again, I’m too afraid to wear current fashions because it may not look good on me! Oh well!
<3 Melinda
.-= Melinda´s last blog ..New Inspirations? =-.
It’s so nice to hear this story about your family Your mom is beautiful (and very stylish)!
.-= a stylized hysteria´s last blog ..Illegal Tender =-.
This is such a great story, Glendy.