As I look back at my childhood, there are certain images that stick with me fondly. One is of my grandmother living with us and her room at the end of a long hallway. As you entered her sanctuary away from five loud granddaughters, there sat a black Singer sewing machine. At the time I don’t think I appreciated how wonderful this ancient-looking object was and the way it made me feel, happy.
Brian Tietz
Kathryn poses, on location at the Waterside Shops in Naples, wearing a Huskie shift dress and jacket provided by Saks Fifth Avenue.
I know that sounds odd, a sewing machine making you feel happy, but as I picture it now this was the place Abuela sat to create the most beautiful designer-quality pieces with ease and the many quilts that have stayed in our family to this day. I also believe this is where my lifelong love of fashion began and has continued with me to this day.
Although I’m close to all my sisters — I pity anyone who tries to get between us — it’s Ann (Annie at the time) with whom I shared the most. That’s probably because we also shared a room — we’re only 25 months apart — and we were always the “lucky ones” who got to ride backward in the back of our ’70s station wagon. There’s no better way to bond than inhaling exhaust with someone. Of course, the front rows were reserved for the older sisters and the baby of the family.
One of these memories that means so much to me but isn’t even a blip on her radar is the sewing classes we took while staying with our grandmother, who was still living in Miami at the time. Looking back at it now, I’m not sure if it was so we could be good homemakers or just to keep us out of her hair, but either way I loved every minute of it. I remember being excited to take my work home and create items that I could only dream were as good as my expert grandmother. I would even finish Ann’s work, because unlike me, she wasn’t so into it. The funny thing is today her daughter Annalise is an expert seamstress making costumes and clothing that would impress even our talented grandmother.
There are plenty of Southwest Floridians who share my passion for finding the right look, from fashion blogger Danielle Bishop to NBC2 News anchor Peter Busch and his wife Rachel Busch, director of public relations at Cignet. We even discovered our Production Director Dennis Wright fits right in with this diverse group who are in tune with their individual styles.
One of the many questions we asked of this stylish group was “Who is your style icon?” I can easily say my grandmother is this person to me. Putting together an outfit for any occasion is an art — and I’m grateful to have inherited this “gene” from my matriarchal style icon.
Whatever your style might be, wear it well and wear it proud.
Until next month.