Style

Mother’s Day: Spotlight on Stylist Jessica de Ruiter & Family

Thu, May 5, 2016

Fashion stylist Jessica de Ruiter has the kind of personal look that has made fans of everyone from the Olsen twins and Garance Doré to Martha Stewart and every major magazine. That laid-back Cali vibe — which seamlessly blends high and low, the demands of a busy career with that of motherhood — also extends to de Ruiter’s Silver Lake home, which she shares with her five-year-old daughter James. One of their frequent houseguests is de Ruiter’s mother Elisabeth, who comes to visit for some serious grandma bonding time. On one of those visits, three generations sat down with Tory Daily…

Jessica de Ruiter

Favorite Mother’s Day tradition growing up…
Having brunch with my mom and my Oma (Dutch for “grandmother”… my mom is from Holland) in Toronto, where I grew up, usually at a museum or hotel. Three generations together. And always surprising my mom with fresh flowers… Usually lilacs, which are both of our favourites.

And now…
My mom comes to visit us in L.A. and we make a beautiful breakfast at home from the local seasonal abundance that my daughter and her dad pick up at the Hollywood farmers’ market early that morning. Three generations again as the cycle of life continues.

Best advice I received from mom…
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up. And never give up.

And best style advice…
Style comes from within and extends to all facets of one’s life.

And beauty advice…
Less is more.

A quality I really admire in my mom…
Her unconditional love and compassion is unparalleled. And her wisdom is a constant source of strength and support from which I draw from.

Something I realized about my mom when I had my own child…
The power of perseverance and a positive attitude. My mom raised me as a single mother and had a vision of what kind of life and home she wanted for us. She worked very hard to create that and provide me with distinct opportunities and beautiful experiences that set me up for life. For that I am very grateful. She is a true inspiration. Now having my own daughter I realize how incredibly challenging that must have been doing it all on her own.

Elisabeth de Ruiter

Best Mother’s Day gift Jessica gave me…
A plate she made in nursery school that has drawings of flowers, our then-beloved cat and of me. I still have it.

One thing I learned about life when I became a mother…
That being a parent is very humbling. All opinions I previously had about parenting went out the window.

Best advice I received from my mom…
Respect yourself and others.

The best part about being a grandmother…
It gives me pure joy!

A quality I really admire in my daughter…
There are many, but I always admire her ability to organize anything and everything in the most effortless way. I am in awe of this ability of hers as this is one of my weaknesses and she did not get it from me.


James, five

Mommy is the best because…
She packs my lunch.

Favorite thing to do with her…
Go on a walk.

Favorite thing to do with Grammie…
Read stories and play dollies.

Read more features from our Mother’s Day Issues, past and present.
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