Motherhood and creativity

Xiana and Claudia are two women dedicated to creative work. Xiana is the designer and illustrator behind her eponymous project and Claudia is the creative director of Naguisa. Both have been mothers for several years now and combine their efforts in developing their own brands with the vitality of their work as mothers.

Can you briefly explain what your work is? What does it mean to both of you to have developed your own career/profession and to work independently?

C.: My job at NAGUISA is to create ideas in all the different areas, both at a strategic level and in the development of collections and communication campaigns. Thanks to the great team we have behind us, ideas are brought to reality. NAGUISA has been and is my life project together with my great partner Pablo. I have dedicated a significant part of my time over the last 12 years to the brand. I have enjoyed and learned a lot during this time, but I have also had bad times. I am a perfectionist and very committed to what I do, my work has become an obsession. At the same time, it has given me a lot of freedom, especially in terms of organization and movement, and it has allowed me to travel and meet people from all over the world.

X.: I am a textile designer and I have a brand in which I make small productions of printed scarves, embroidered accessories and other handicraft objects in collaboration with artisans in my area. I also develop and design products for "Made in Spain" brands. Working independently involves a lot of effort and a lot of uncertainty, especially for a while. In exchange, you gain other things that are impossible to have with an employed job, such as being able to choose at any time which production model you want to use.

You both became mothers at a very young age, can you share more about your experience of motherhood?

C.: In my case, motherhood came at an unexpected time. Improvisation is one of my skills (the one that makes Pablo the most nervous) and in this area it couldn't be any other way. When it came, it helped me personally to overcome a difficult stage, professionally it was a great challenge and it required a lot of effort. With my first daughter, Lola, I wanted to do everything from the first moment, raising and working, NAGUISA was in full growth and we didn't have a well-structured team yet, nor family nearby. Olivia arrived only a year and a half later...we thought we were tireless... Right now I'm enjoying motherhood more than ever, it's been a very sweet stage that I would like to freeze. Almost 5 years later I have learned that I needed to separate the work environment from the family and also create a space for myself. Being a mother has made me grow as a person and enjoy life more.

X.: It sounds like a cliché, but it is a very strong experience and it is difficult to explain. There are very hard moments. In my case, at the beginning, it was a bit complicated. Emotionally it is a roller coaster and there are days when you sleep very few hours so you are more susceptible than usual. The relationship with your partner changes and you have to almost start from scratch. Luckily all that gradually stabilizes and in the end you end up sleeping through the night so much better (hehe) No, seriously now, once you get over that "trauma" that little person suddenly teaches you a lot and you no longer know what you would do without them in life. You learn to see what is really important, what fulfills you. You let go of a lot of baggage to focus on that new life and why not say it, on your own as well. I think that the most important thing that motherhood has taught me so far is that it is very important to be at peace with yourself in order to raise and care for others.

After the birth of a baby, free time or time for yourself is reduced to practically nothing. If you add to that the fact that you both run your own business, how has motherhood changed or redefined your approach to work, if at all?

C.: Being a mother has helped me to put things into perspective. I enjoy and celebrate my achievements more and I suffer less when things don't go as they should. I have also learned to delegate. Although in recent years it has been very hard to combine NAGUISA with parenting, at the moment I am able to enjoy my daughters a lot. NAGUISA also allows me small pleasures that I wouldn't be able to do working in another company, such as one day we all go out to spend the day together.

X.: A lot! When I worked in the fashion industry with office hours and travel, I didn't think about being a mother. Reducing my working hours is good, but I think that in terms of work-life balance we still have a long way to go. Although my main reasons for leaving the industry were different, this also played in favour of changing to a way of working that is more compatible with caring. Work-life balance is at the base of everything, but not only for those who decide to raise others, but also the balance between work and private life. I suppose that the most important thing in my case has been, as I said before, realising how important it is to be well. Enjoying and believing in what you do is also educating.

What do you enjoy doing when you have a little time for yourself?

C.: It took me years to find and enjoy some time for myself. Just a year ago I discovered yoga, which I practice regularly. I also like to go for walks alone or with others in the mountains. And I have become hooked on doing virtual creative courses in different areas such as ceramics.

X.: Lately I would like to have more time to do things for my nephews, I have a huge list of projects for them and clothes for Marcela, my daughter. I really enjoy making gifts. I also like to go for walks, read or listen to my favorite podcast Deforme Semanal Ideal Total, I'm a fan.

When was the last time you felt proud of your abilities, as a woman, mother or entrepreneur?

C.: My greatest achievement in the last month has been helping and accompanying Lola in the arduous process of stopping thumb sucking :). There is nothing more comforting than being a mother and helping these little people become great independent beings.

X.: Well, the truth is that I am very proud of everything I have achieved this year and all the projects that are coming out. Personally and professionally I am having a good time, I am calm and I feel aligned with what I do, even though I question it, I always believe that I am on the right path. As for motherhood, I am proud to have a healthy relationship with my daughter, I really like how she is... Sometimes it overwhelms me a little because she has a lot of character, but I think that in the end I manage to stay calm. I am also proud to do things with her in which we both have a good time. I think that this is very important for them, not only that you get into their game but also to get them to get into something that makes you happy.