Dress…like a MOTHA
Miczjhane
New Years Day, 2021, I FaceTimed my cousin, he turned the phone and hit me with “this her”. And I mean LOOK AT HERRRR! Miczjhane Angelique. Her name alone sounds like THAT WOMAN. From the jump it's giving, something's different about her. Something bold. Something memorable. You can't see Nay and not see a fire fit ...ever. It's quite obvious that fashion is not just something she enjoys but that it's an extension of her self-expression. Now 2 kids and a husband later (she thought my cousin was cute or whatever so they got married), the owner of Ming Hause Magazine has new ideas around an old love. She refused to succumb to what society and culture said a mother should look like. She owns her identity with beauty and a fierceness that I admire. As I rediscover my identity and style and fall back in love with how I look and how I show up, who better to sit with than Nay to give some insight?
Square peg…round hole-from a young age Miczjhane sought out what made her different from everyone else around her. She found that something in fashion.
Like No One’s Watching-Like No One’s Watching- I love the way Nay moves through life creatively and unapologetically. She's going to show up the way she wants and you can take it or leave it, trust me sis lives in the world of unbothered, it won't make a difference to her. I will say, her words low key were what 16/17-year-old me needed. Shoot 32 year old me needed them!
Pressure- Even the most unbothered of us can hit a moment where a little people-pleasing can try and creep back in, especially after having a baby. This is why it’s important to have the right kind of support, to remind you that if this is how you want to show up, then SHOW UP. And remember that little people are watching you, learning how to be fearless.
Dress like a WOMAN- motherhood aside, when we occupy space we first and foremost occupy it as women. We can get so caught up in the title and role of motherhood that we forget we are women first and have to show up as her. Here’s what Nay does to show up as a woman who happens to be a mother.
Style Ya Mind-"look good feel good" rings true, yet sometimes we can hide behind the things that make us feel good. It can be so challenging to allow ourselves to be vulnerable and go through the mental process of getting to the feel-good, with or without the clothes.
Cover photos and Dressing like a MOTHA- sis is to the point so y'all get a 2 for one with this one. A lil word, and Miczjhane’s definition of what it means to Dress…like a MOTHA. And let me tell you, they both eat!
If I can be honest, if no one else needed this convo, I did! As a recovering people-pleaser, who has given up on a few dreams and passions because the people I wanted to validate me didn’t, this part of my journey is hard. It’s hard to say “I love fashion” or “I used to want to be xyz”(sometimes still want to be), when you feel like you let that part of yourself down. When you look at yourself and no longer recognize her, hidden behind societal and cultural expectations. When you’ve hushed that young girl who once walked in the fullness of her creativity because a few people couldn’t see what she saw. So I’m abundantly grateful for women like Miczjhane, who continue to show up and let themselves be seen. They are so vital to those around them who need nudging to come out of their shells. I hope Nay’s story also freed you in some way. If so let her know in the comments! Until next time…
I love you, mean it- Ja’Nelle
If you’re tired of looking run down or need some inspo, follow Miczjhanae at @miczjhaneangelique. She’s over there rocking this wife and mom of “2 under 2” thing while always giving us LEWKSSS. Then head to @minghausemag to see what’s on the horizon for this hot mom and her fellow Black creatives and entrepreneurs. And make sure you grab Issue One: Somebody’s Mama on her site minghausemag.com.
