IS CREATIVITY INHERITED?
INTRODUCING THE WOMEN IN MY LIFE
NOTES FROM THE CLOSET
INTERGENERATIONAL CREATIVITY: PAINTBRUSH, PEN AND CLOSET…?
I learned many things from my mum, but would it surprise you that one of the main ones is my love of color and color theory? The way that she listened to the call to create and followed that call deeply inspired me.
My mother is creative in every sense of the word, not just in the studio, but in life. When I was being particularly…let’s say spirited (bratty) as a child, she’d pull over at the nearest gas station, buy me BBQ chips (no drink), and tell me to stick my head out the window to “air out the flavor.” A brilliantly inventive way to restore peace and quiet. She’d take me to the park with a pad and crayons and ask me to look up and draw what I saw in the clouds. She taught me to see.
And outside the studio, she expressed that same creativity through style. There was always intention. Always thought and above all class. In the 70s, she could have leaned fully into the trends, satin pants, platforms and body-hugging silhouettes, but instead, she gravitated toward a more classic Ralph Lauren riding aesthetic, or something quietly dramatic that showed true style.
Ivy and I sat down with her to talk about creativity and the way it has traveled down the branches of our generational tree. Creativity drives the way we move ourselves forward in our lives, including celebrating the highs and processing the lows. Whether it be with the pen (Ivy and now also my mum, Charlotte), the paintbrush or in my case, through the architecture and color palette of my wardrobe, it’s definitely a gift that I don’t take for granted. You can watch the full conversation here.
IVY’S INK
Recently, I have come to realize that writing is part of my family lineage.
My Bubby, of course, is a poet, and from her I have become interested in the seriality of language—the way sentences unfold. I can say: I am in a lush field full of fauna and you will believe it; now I am underwater, the bubbles creeping up my nose… how do I look watching you through this translucent purple window?
Language play is essential in the creative process within my family, because often we have needed to travel to places we cannot ‘go’, or understand situations that cannot be easily categorized. My Bubby informed me that Jewish family members only a generation before her wrote while imprisoned in Russia. I would like to think writing from exile is a way to metabolize experience. Since my Bubby is from Quebec, I am thinking specifically of the French writer Jean Genet, who wrote his queer Roman à clefs while an exile.
The everyday granular textures of life have been recorded for many years through diaristic means. To me, these writings point toward the universality of the need to process creatively. We all need our outlets, whether a canvas or a notebook. Having an outlet feels important for the social structure of the family, which is, surprisingly, intact after all these centuries—even as mine is so untraditional, feminist, artistic…I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
HANGER APPEAL
LIKE GRANDMOTHER, LIKE MOTHER AND LIKE DAUGHTER
If you’ve ever seen photos of me, my mother, and my daughter, you may have had a moment of confusion—are we the same person? (The face genes are…aggressive.)
But what you’ll definitely notice is our shared obsession: the perfect lip. Frankly, it could be our family motto: nothing a good red lip won’t fix.
So, let me share the family secret.
Step 1: Treat
I don’t care how beautiful the color is, if your lips are dry, it’s over before it begins.
A lip mask is non-negotiable. I’m devoted to Westman Atelier treatments, it does the heavy lifting while you’re pretending to be low-maintenance.
Step 2: Pick Your Color
Power red, whisper pink, modern berry, or a rich nude. Choose according to your mood or your look.
But for today? We’re talking red. And I will die on this hill: red works on every skin tone. The key? A matching liner.
Step 3: The Perfect Red, Done Properly
Start with a touch of lip treatment, then blot most of it away. You want to be hydrated, not slippery.
Next, line your lips and don’t be shy, proceed to fill them in completely with the same liner.
This creates the most beautiful, long-wearing base for your lipstick.
It’s so hard to choose…but here is a link to the family favorites.
WHAT’S FEEDING ME
INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE
Earlier this month we attended the first of three of our nieces’ and nephew’s weddings in Toronto (did I mention, they are triplets!) It was so fun to be with Michael and the kids and all of the extended family. Wedding season (and graduation season…and..and) is upon us and what to wear is the question. Now with this particular wedding the bride did us all a favor by requesting nothing but black and navy, which made for a striking black tie feel.
As with all of my fashion rules, I believe they should be broken. Whether you are the mother or aunt of the bride or a guest, think outside the box. Of course no upstaging the bride but you can still shine in your own way.
If I were dressing you for a wedding or graduation, I’d skip the predictable and go straight to something with presence: a sleek column with a bit of architectural drape, a whisper of metallic, or an unexpected color like smoky lilac or soft chartreuse. Capes are still having their moment (thank goodness…all the drama without the fuss), and midi lengths feel just right: modern, elegant, easy. Not a dress person? A softly tailored wide-leg trouser look is divine. I’ll always love a statement sleeve or an embellished neckline which creates instant polish with no extra effort. And please, can we have more beautiful separates? A sculpted top with a midi skirt is chic, versatile, and far more interesting than anything expected.
CURRENT CRUSHES
WHAT’S IN MY CART
I have to admit that I still haven’t gotten through “Love Story” but I’m determined to finish! In honor of this substack being a celebration of three generations, we are all eating noodles and cottage cheese. A favorite meal mum made me as a kid and something I have passed down. The kids call me when they’re away at college to ask how it’s done. Ivy can make it with her eyes closed. Eli has yet to attempt it. (Recipe: Cook noodles of choice, drain noodles, add copious amounts of butter , salt and cottage cheese to hot noodles, exclaim with joy, “I didn’t believe it but this is delicious!) This week, I’m tapping the poets (Charlotte and Ivy) for the reading list since they are the true bookworms. From Charlotte: “I am reading it for the 10th time. Every few years I pick up To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. She was one of the first to master the stream of consciousness technique in her books. Next I’m going to read Mrs. Dalloway (again) by Virginia Woolf. From Ivy: Highly recommend The Glass Essay by Anne Carson, Lonely Crowds by Stephanie Wambugu, and Edinburgh by Alexander Chee. As for me the 90’s continue on this week with The Cranberries on repeat.
DEAR CARLA
From fashion SOS moments to everyday dilemmas, ask me anything right here.
Thank you readers for all of your questions and comments! This month I am going to start answering some of your questions right here.
From Lisa
Ok I need help!
My daughter is getting married in July, I have a kick ass dress for the wedding from Reformation. I am definitely not your “mother of the bride” type. What do i wear to a casual rehearsal dinner? Like I’m still the mother of the bride and I love fashion, but I definitely can’t overstep a bride. It will be wearing something white because that is the trend these days! I’m at a loss and I need help.
Also being 56 is a weird age!! Thanks in advance!!! Xx
Lisa, you are in luck! See above for my thoughts on the mother of the bride. I love that you have a dress you love for the wedding. White is fantastic, how about an all white look for the rehearsal dinner using separates? A wide-legged palazzo with the tailored men’s shirt tucked in (or half tucked) and then let your accessories do the talking. A mixed metal stack of beautiful cuffs and bangles would be gorgeous or how about in resin? I love Dinosaur Designs and they have a lovely ivory / black combo in their signature resin bracelets. As for the 50’s being weird, I’m right there with you sister.
XO
CARLA
Is the first photo of you or your mother? It’s gorgeous 😘