I am a defender of social media. Like any tool, whether it is good or bad depends on the people wielding it, be they the content creators or the viewers and the choices they make. And it was on Instagram that I came across Eman Bani Hashim’s (AKA @Mama.Hepburn) account. The nod to style icon Audery Hepburn is spot on because of the shared elegance, poise and unique fashion style.
Her bio simply reads “A hip and #stylish mama in her 50s, proving that age ain’t nothin’ but a number,” and it tells it just like it is. She is #lifegoals when I grow up. I instantly fell in love with her outfits, her beautiful tablescapes and her decor inspo ideas. A couple of days later I found myself speaking to Eman on the phone only to discover that she is even more dynamic, passionate and an absolute delight in person.
An Emirati mama in her late 50s only just recently retired after a long career in the field of diplomacy followed by academia. Her job roles meant that she always needed to be impeccably dressed which is something Eman absolutely loves and does superbly well.
If you spend a couple of minutes perusing her Instagram feed you will notice that she is unafraid to make a garment of her own. She told me that she loves customizing ready-to-wear pieces and adding her own personal touch on them. You might even recognize her wearing the local brand @dear. nin’s gauzy dress in ivory. She replaced the lining with a specially made full dress in a soft brown for modesty and a pop of color. Small changes like this are what elevate her looks.
As women age it becomes more difficult to dress fashionably. Brands advertise for a younger crowd and trends seem to pander to the twenty somethings. From rips in jeans in unfortunate locations to itsy bitsy crop tops, it appears that clothing designers forget an entire age-group. Eman believes that her demographic has both the ability and the desire to dress well and she wants to help women see that they can still look stylish, dynamic and ready to take on the world while looking fabulous.
She is also a supporter of more ethical and slow fashion. And she refuses to chase or covet brands. Eman believes that you needn’t be decked from head to toe in designer items to look great. You will see her mix and match items from highstreet brands as well as more expensive and bespoke garments.
My favorite thing about Eman’s style is that it is bold and eclectic without being loud. You will notice her statement necklace or her sunglasses. She will add a belt to alter the silhouette or choose shoes that will change the vibe of a dress. She is not a fan of symmetry and will mismatch her earrings and is uninhibited in trying the unconventional. There are so many subtle styling tricks that anyone can pick up from her.
Presentation is extremely important to Eman. And it is less about other people and how they see her and more about how she wants to feel. Even if she’s spending the day at home she will still get dressed in an abaya or something more comfortable but never dowdy or frumpy. While many of us might run errands looking like we just finished a yoga class, Eman insists on getting dressed to the nines.
Her can-do DIY attitude extends to her home and kitchen as well. She fearlessly redecorated her own bathroom by painting the walls, bathtub and adding framed art on the walls. Instead of riding the high-speed consumption train, Eman loves to reuse already owned elements in her home and rework them for a new look.
She finds inspiration in everything and likes to try it out right away. Colors and textures in a dress might give her an idea for a cake and she will head straight away to the kitchen to test it. And now that she’s no longer working full-time she is enjoying the more hands-on approach at home. If you are invited over for brunch she will make sure that everything matches from the napkins, flatware to the dessert and juice because she loves a theme. And she will bring out her best china everyday, because if you don’t enjoy your things, who else will?
Unlike many women, Eman is unafraid to share her age with the world. But she’s also quick to add that she does take care of herself. Finding a balance between her work and her home, she still tried really hard to make time for herself to work out and to eat well. She added that even the busiest woman can take the stairs more often and try to walk as exercise if she can’t go to the gym.
We talked about what she would like to do next and she would love to create a platform for women where they can connect on these issues. And where Eman could share more of her tips about recycling, sustainability, decor and fashion. Personally, I can’t wait to sign up!
Follow Eman Bani Hashim on Instagram @mama.hepburn for fashion, food and decor inspo no matter how old you are.
