Scripts and Sightings

Nostalgia Ultra: How My Parents Ignite My {Style} Sensibilities

09. 02. 2014

I hope you had an amazing Labor Day weekend! I certainly did. Instead of scouting for style sightings at the West Indian Day Parade, I decided to spend time with my family. My husband and I took our sweet baby girl to the Brooklyn Bridge Park and we had a wonderful time.

Speaking of family, over the past couple of weeks my folks have been heavy on my mind. Like many young fashion lovers, I always find myself looking to my parents’ old photos for style inspiration. If you’re like me, you’ve discovered a bit of your identity in snapshots from your parents’ past. I find myself studying their expressions wondering where they were mentally at the time, if they were content, and if they knew how stylish they were.

If you read my “I Am” page you know I’m the daughter of Nigerian immigrants. This photo of my mother was taken at a studio in Lagos back in the 60s (the one above was taken some years later, also in Lagos). I loved her floor length high neck dress. Her bag was the perfect accessory. This look would be a hit at Coachella.

This was also taken in Nigeria.

This photo of my mom and her old classmates is one of my favorite. Though their threaded hair was considered a simple hairstyle in Nigeria, as a child raised in America their look was something to behold. I also love how each woman showcases her own identity in subtle ways. My mom, the woman who stands first from the right, looked simple and chic in a white T-shirt and high waist skirt. I would wear that today.

My father, who stands first from the left, was a cool cat. Before moving to Miami in the late 70s he schooled in Germany, Canada, and lived in the New York/New Jersey area for a while. He passed away 9 years ago.

My dad (first row, third from left) took this group shot at a studio with several of his friends and a few family members. If you notice, for many Nigerians, it was “cool” to look away from the camera when taking pictures.

Germany. My dad stands first from the left wearing that cool collarless polo knit shirt, which I can picture wearing with a pleated skirt. There they go again looking away from the camera, lol.