Just like Kris Jenner, I’ve become my daughter’s ‘momager’

Momager is the latest role I can add to the long list of my job descriptions, which include muber (a mum who ubers their kids everywhere), Crap Housewife, Crazy Cat, Dog Lady and Chocolate Connoisseur. Why? My eldest daughter is pursuing her fashion dreams and recently signed with a marvellous modelling agency. And I do have a little in common with Kris Jenner, who first fashioned the momager: the mother of a famous person who is also their manager. We are both also into leopard print and daggy mum dance moves, and fiercely love our girls, so I figured I could borrow her title, too.

Jessica Rowe and her model daughter, Allegra.Credit: Courtesy of Jessica Rowe

Part of this new responsibility means I accompany Allegra on her modelling jobs. My fairy-haired eldest daughter and I have always shared a love for fashion. Since Allegra was tiny, she had firm views of what she would and wouldn’t wear. Layers of magenta-coloured princess skirts and baby pink tulle skirts would be teamed with heart-patterned leggings and her older cousin’s striped green pyjama top. A prized white polar bear hat, with furry ear flaps, would complete the look.

Then there was the “fox” fashion season. This consisted of reworking my gold, crushed velvet Lisa Ho jacket into a below-the-knee frock. Allegra would flick the attached silk scarf over her shoulder. The look was finished with orange and white fox ears and a fluffy tail that I had up-cycled from a much-loved cat headband and tail set. Here was my little girl embracing my love of quirky and colourful get-ups and statement headgear. Heaven for both of us.

“Oh, the fun you’ll have in my wardrobe darling girl!” I said as we left the house with her younger sister in tow. Who was also having her own fashion moment of wearing her floor-grazing, blonde, Rapunzel-style wig.

Fast-forward more than a decade and our fashion styles couldn’t be more different. My sequin and colour spectrum envelope has been pushed even further, while my daughter’s style has evolved into the cool-capsule wardrobe. White T-shirts, white singlets, marle grey T-shirts, marle grey singlets. Baggy track pants in monochrome. Black leggings. Nike sneakers. Denim jeans!

“Aha, darling. Do you know those jeans are called ‘mum jeans’? Perhaps it’s something I would wear …” I say, while holding up Allegra’s latest purchase.

“Nah, it’s low-key not your style …”

“Low-key? What?”

“Muuuum, it means honestly!”

Oh, I realise, Allegra is bluntly telling me that, despite me being a mum, mum jeans aren’t for me!

It doesn’t matter that when we enter the temple of teenage fashion, otherwise known as Brandy Melville, that I shout over the pumping soundtrack, “I used to dance to this music ...” as songs by Cyndi Lauper, Tears for Fears and The Cure are played in quick succession.

Active wear is also something I’ve never embraced – unless it’s my May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie printed lycra top and leggings that I wear to Pilates.

JESSICA ROWE

My girls don’t hear me as they forensically search for another white T-shirt. And it’s not only them. The store is full of identically dressed young women determined to discover the holy grail white tee. Really, how many different white T-shirts can there be? How many white T-shirts do you need in your wardrobe? What makes the perfect white T-shirt? Too many questions for such a boring, bland item of clothing! And I’m proud to say I don’t own one in my wardrobe! Well, perhaps I might have one with a bright, bold-printed slogan and jewelled cat face emblazoned across the front.

Active wear is also something I’ve never embraced – unless it’s my May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie printed lycra top and leggings that I wear to Pilates. Don’t hate me, but Lululemon is the most soul-destroying place for me to spend any length of time. Of course my girls love it, but I can’t see the appeal of spending a fortune on another white stretchy top or black leggings that look like every other white top and black leggings! Where is the artistry? The creativity?

But what would I know; when I first left telly I thought I’d make a fortune selling a range of cat-printed unitards! My drawers are still full of catsuit stock and Lululemon is crammed full of customers.

However, take me to the creative genius of Romance Was Born, the kaleidoscopic Camilla and the sequinned shrine House of Priscilla – and my spirits will soar. At least I’ve managed to get both my daughters to tip their funny bunny polish-coloured toes into the joy of these labels. I’m hoping it’s the start of a lifelong relationship with these brilliant creatives and designers. That for me is the joy of fashion, as each style you lean into reflects the season of your life and soul.

As I twirl around in my giant flower-patterned hat, the vintage pattern identical to my shirt and pants, I make Allegra laugh with my goofy moves as she works professionally in front of the camera for a Korean clothing brand. She looks like a silvery seal, coolly wearing a grey parka with the hood tied tightly under her chin while Sydney swelters. Already she understands it’s about making whatever she’s wearing look good. And at least this time there isn’t a boring white T-shirt in sight.

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