When it comes to personal style, it’s easy to see that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with mother and daughter duo Mary and Tamie Ingham. Favouring wardrobe classics with an urban edge, LA-based Mara & Mine co-founder and shoe designer Tamie credits her Sydney-based mother Mary's timeless style for influencing her less-is-more approach to fashion...
“The key is to have staple, classic pieces and to just complement these with the right accessories,” says Tamie, who favours layering jewellery and mixing white and yellow gold with her uniform of denim and Mara & Mine loafers. “What makes our brand unique is that all of our products are handmade using luxury leathers to embrace comfort and style. We create classic silhouettes with bold embroidery and hardware.” It’s not hard to see why the perfectly-designed flats boast a cult following with celebrities and influencers alike. While Tamie expertly demonstrates how to mix current trends with classic jewels, like her clever Acne Studios leather jacket and Kailis pearls combo in our photos, mum Mary prefers a more refined look thanks to her own mother’s sartorial influence. “A typical look for me is smart-casual. I love a chic pair of pants or a tailored dress,” she says. Despite geographical distance keeping them apart this Mother’s Day, we have a feeling there will still be plenty of love and laughter on the cards, as Mary so aptly describes the best part of being a mother: “There are so many magical moments, but I love knowing that they know that I am always here, in the good times and the bad. The feeling of a mutual love, respect and care is second to none.” We couldn’t agree more. Photography: Michelle Holden | Hair: Raymond Robinson | Makeup: Kelly Bowman | Words: Marisa Remond | Styling: Georgie Abay | Kailis jewellery and Mara & Mine shoes worn throughout | Go to www.kailisjewellery.com.au
“ My mother has taught me to never give up and fight for what you believe in. She is an absolute saint, so kind and giving, and has taught me how to love unconditionally, be respectful and patient ”
SHOP: Tamie wears Kailis Vibrance Earrings; Kailis Twin Pearl Cuff; Acne Studios leather jacket, from Parlour X; Marysia dress; Grana Tee; Mara & Mine loafers. Mary wears Kailis Baroque Pearl Strand – not available online; Kailis Large Trumpet Earrings; Acne Studios trench coat, from Parlour X; Country Road pants; Hansen & Gretal silk shirt
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Tamie: Shy at first, open-minded and driven. Mary: Kind, strong and open-minded.
What values/life lessons have you taught each other? And Mary what did you learn from your own mother?
Tamie: My mother has taught me to never give up and fight for what you believe in. She is an absolute saint, so kind and giving, and has taught me how to love unconditionally, be respectful and patient. Mary: My children have taught me about patience and how love has no boundaries. What I learned from my mother was the gift of giving. She moved from Italy when she was only 12-years-old and went on to raise nine children. She was wise and generous, always kind and helpful to others and never expected anything in return. She always told us: don’t feel like life owes you anything back, if you make a choice to help someone, feel good about it and move on.
What are each other's best qualities?
Tamie: Mum is strong, wise and loving. Mary: Tamie has a heart of gold, she is unbelievably driven and extremely creative. I am so proud of her.
How will you be spending this Mother’s Day?
Mary: On Mother’s Day, I’ll be spending quality time with my family (Tam and my son will unfortunately be in LA ) and hopefully having some delicious food. Tamie: I know my sister will spoil mum beyond comprehension – she deserves it. I’ll be sending her a beautiful bunch of her favourite flowers – flowers just make her so, so happy.
SHOP: Tamie wears Kailis Geometric Sliding Necklace; Kailis Odyssey Pearl Ring; Rosie Assoulin Top, from Parlour X; Frame Denim Jeans. Mary wears Kailis Hope Diamond Pendant in Yellow Gold. Kailis Hope Diamond Ring in Yellow Gold; Balenciaga top, from Parlour X; Acne Studios Culottes, from Parlour X
Talk us through your working life...
Mary: Despite growing up on a rose farm, I always had a love for fashion and it wasn’t long before I ventured to the city to pursue it. I started out in a boutique store and moved on to work with House Of Merivale. I then opened my own fashion boutique on Sydney’s North Shore and before I knew it, I was raising my three gorgeous babies full-time. Tamie: Jas and I launched Mara & Mine in 2013 with our first shoe, the Jem Skull Slipper (in two colour ways). Today, this is still our staple shoe design and a best-seller. What makes our brand unique is that all of our products are handmade using luxury leathers to embrace comfort and style. We create classic silhouettes with bold embroidery and hardware. We both moved to LA with the simple ambition to broaden our horizons. We wanted to explore the city that was unfamiliar and exciting and of course, a place where dreams come true!
Tamie - what do you love about working with Jasmine Yarbrough? And what’s the secret to a successful business partnership?
Working with Jasmine doesn’t feel like work at all. We are best friends, sharing in the journey of doing what we love. Jas is tenacious and organised and we complement each other perfectly. The secret to a successful business partner is understanding one another, being patient and always working towards the same collective goal.
What has your mother taught you about fashion and style?
Tamie: My mother introduced me to fashion at a very young age. I grew up in awe of her beauty, her style and her wardrobe! Mum has taught me that less is always more – “the key is to have staple, classic pieces and to just complement these with the right accessories”. Most importantly, mum’s first lesson is that beauty comes from within. Mary: My mother taught me to always dress for the occasion. We used to watch old movies together (with the likes of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn) and sit in awe of the glamour of old Hollywood. I certainly like to think that I had something to do with my children’s chic attire!
What’s the most wonderful part of being a mother?
Mary: Knowing that they know that I am always here, in the good times and the bad. The feeling of mutual love, respect and care is second to none.
How would you describe your personal fashion style?
Tamie: My personal style is clean cut, modern, with an urban edge. I keep on top of current trends but always dress for myself. Mary: Less is more. I love new trends but I am conscious of my age and tend to go for a more chic, elegant look.
What’s your approach to wearing jewellery?
Tamie: I love to layer my jewellery and always stack my rings and bracelets. I am a big fan of mixing yellow gold with white gold and as for stones, I love diamonds, pearls and rubies. Mary: I love discrete, dainty pieces of jewellery and tend to stay away from ornate pieces. I love to wear gold with diamonds and pearls.
What makes you laugh?
Tamie: I laugh a lot. I get my favourite kind of laughs, those really sore tummy laughs, when I’m mucking around with my friends, doing whatever we want and being whoever we want to be! Mary: I am a lover of life and most things make me laugh and smile. Particularly children and their gorgeous innocence, as well as my five sisters.
“ I love discrete, dainty pieces of jewellery and tend to stay away from ornate pieces. I love to wear gold with diamonds and pearls ”
SHOP: Tamie wears Kailis Geometric Sliding Necklace; Kailis Odyssey Pearl Ring; Rosie Assoulin Top, from Parlour X; Frame Denim Jeans; Mara & Mine loafers. Mary wears Kailis Hope Diamond Pendant in Yellow Gold. Kailis Hope Diamond Ring in Yellow Gold; Balenciaga top, from Parlour X; Acne Studios Culottes, from Parlour X; Mara & Mine Loafers
Mary, what has been the most challenging part of motherhood for you?
Mary: Finding the middle ground to discipline.
If you could go back to one stage of motherhood, what would it be?
Mary: I love the baby stage where they first become properly aware of their surroundings and their personality begins to shine. You fall more in love with your children minute by minute.
What’s your approach to health and wellbeing?
Mary: I balance my kombucha with my coffee and my turmeric with my chocolate. As they say, all in moderation! I love my Pilates and yoga – I go twice a week. I have my weekly walks with the girls and need to keep my dog Zoe happy. It’s all about finding your balance and I think I have, for me. Tamie: Everything in moderation is key. LA is certainly home to clean, healthy eating but given my Italian roots, I can’t deny my love of pizza and pasta. I try not to indulge (try being the operative word) and am inspired daily to stay fit and healthy! I can always rely on SoulCycle and Pilates to keep me in shape, together with hiking with friends on the weekend.