If you’re wondering why our newest cycle is ‘ALL WOMAN’, you don’t have to look too far. It’s at least partly inspired by the brilliant, beautiful, badass women who made us what we are today. So, in honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday, we want to introduce you – our MAISON 10 family – to Maria and Helena. Our beloved moms.
MARIA BLACKIE, NEE MARIA PIA MOCOGNI
Edinburgh, Scotland
She’s the most loving, caring, kind, and selfless person you could meet …
She would fight to her last breath for her family (that's her with me and my gorgeous sister Janice).
Maria worked for almost 50 years in retail ...
Starting at the famous Romanes and Paterson store on Princes Street in Edinburgh at the age of 15, she also had long stints at long-gone classic shops like Woolworths, but retired after 20 plus years as one of the top salespeople in the iconic Jenners Department Store (Scotland's equivalent of Bloomingdale's).
Favorite memory …
There are so many. When she delivered the speech at our London wedding, she made everyone cry …
And, when she and my dad were the first ones up dancing at my 40th birthday party at a grungy basement club in Paris, she screamed: "I LOVE LOUD DANCE MUSIC,” to everyone’s joy!
Or after 24 hours from first meeting Henri, she commented to him: "You do like your naps and snacks don’t you?” LOL.
Piece of music that makes me think of her ...
She’s a big pop/disco/ballad diva queen so I used to make her mix tapes and CDs of all her favorites: Spice Girls, Britney, Pussycat Dolls. But she also loves Barbra Streisand. I grew up hearing tons of Nancy and Lee and disco classics. If I had to name one it would be ’The Hustle’ by Van McCoy - she insisted this would be on our playlist at our wedding.
What she’s famous for ...
Her millionaire's shortbread (an irresistible, tooth-rotting combination of shortbread, caramel, and chocolate) and tablet (Scottish candy a little like fudge – but better). And when I go home to visit she makes ‘her wee laddie’ his childhood favorite – boiled eggs, cheesy sauce, peas, and chips (that's fries for the Americans reading)!
With love from Tom
HELENA CECILIA HANSON
Seattle, WA
She’s one of the most positive and supportive beings on the planet ...
Her direct yet tuned-in nature always kept me and my brothers on track and out of trouble (how did she know that?). She’s got a great laugh, playful sense of humor, and she loves, loves, loves ALL of her boys (that's her with me and Raymond – our younger brother Ryan was a baby at the time).
She wanted to raise us in a safe environment ...
So she relocated my two brothers and I from New York to Seattle in the late 80s, shifting gears from jobs in purchasing and office management to driving for Seattle Metro for several years before retiring.
Favorite memory ...
When my brothers and I were young, on the weekends we’d pile in into our mint green Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, driving from Queens to Grandma’s house in Brooklyn while listening to the radio and singing all the late 70s disco and early 80s dance tracks the entire car ride there.
Piece of music that makes me think of her ...
'Got To Be Real' by Cheryl Lynn – she played this track out!
What she’s famous for ...
Her pumpkin and sweet potato pies, Jamaican curry goat with rice and peas, and her love of flowers in the garden.
With love from Henri
A big shout out to all the moms – and gorgeous mother figures – in the MAISON 10 family. We love you dearly. And if you're buying a gift for Mother's Day, we've curated some very special things to help you show her how much you care.
MAISON 10 is open Monday 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-7pm; and Sunday 12pm-6pm. Come in, say hey, and show your mom some love this weekend.
x M10
Tom Blackie + Henri Myers