Elise Peterson - Photos and Interview

Photographed by Victoria of My Motherhood Storybook

Mother Stories

Pregnancy Style: Elise Peterson

Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano

Photography by Photographed by Victoria of My Motherhood Storybook

Dec 14, 2017

When the stunning pictures of a very pregnant Elise Peterson first started dribbling out on Mara Hoffman’s Instagram feed (we’re talking bra top, blue tights, and a big, beautiful belly!), we had more than a few girlfriends tag us excitedly in unison. Thankfully, a mutual friend quickly introduced us to the 29-year-old artist and we were able to set up a speedy shoot to capture Elise’s incredible and not-so-“maternity” maternity style for ourselves—just a few weeks before her first baby will make its way into the world.

Along with stops at Mara Hoffman’s showroom and the Hatch Collection flagship to play dress-up, Elise brought us up to speed on her pregnancy, fashion, beauty, and self-care habits, and impressively multi-dimensional creative life, which boasts work as a visual artist, writer (she was founding music editor of Solange Knowles’ Saint Heron), children’s illustrator, and host of the hair-centric Now This News show Mane, which debuts in early 2018…right alongside her bundle of own joy.

: “I’m an advocate of great basics paired with unexpected pieces.”

: Elise wears L'Enchantuer pants and earrings, Comme Des Garcons boots, a vintage coat, and Zara t-shirt.

: “My style hasn’t changed much at all except I probably err on the side comfort more often now.”
Time to play dress-up inside the Mara Hoffman studio!

: Elise wears a Mara Hoffman Stella Top, Mara Hoffman Nellie Pant, and L’Enchanter jewelry.

: “Pre-pregnancy I loved a great pair of jeans, a fur coat, Dickies jumper, and a red boot. During pregnancy I’ve had to let go of the denim, but have embraced dresses much more.”

: “I so loved 'styling the bump' the majority of my pregnancy. I did not purchase one piece of maternity wear this entire experience. Now that I’m a few weeks away from labor, the thrill is gone. I’d just like to put my jeans back on.”

: “I love, love, love Mara Hoffman not only because her pieces are effortlessly beautiful, but she also takes pride in the sustainability of her clothing and the impact her brands makes on our community at large. No one is doing avant garde jewelry and handmade wear that also holds deep spiritual significance like L’Enchantuer. Every single piece is literally magical.”

: “I love a great vintage find. There’s no rush like scouring through racks of clothing and that 'ahhh' moment when the right piece finds you.”

: “I don’t have one! I swear by coconut oil, staying moisturized, and drinking water.”

: “Overall, I listen to my body. I try to put good things in my body, meditate, spend time in nature, and spend time alone.”

: “The New Year is my absolute favorite time of year. I’m never one for resolutions, however I do set intentions and manifestations. One intention I’ve been giving a lot of thought to that was also affirmed by one of my mentors is to always put myself first. Motherhood and partnership asks us to be selfless many times, but I intend to never forget who I am and honor her first.”

: “I work as a visual artist, children’s book illustrator, and on-camera host.”

: “I’m originally from Washington, D.C., but also grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta. I came back to D.C. to attend Howard University and later found myself at Parson’s School of Design when I moved to New York on a whim. I’ve had way too many jobs to name, but the common thread is that they all allowed me to express myself creatively. The transition into being a full-time freelance artist and media host came about naturally. I really enjoy project-based work, and as more of those opportunities came in, I embraced the change. Of course, with freelance you’re constantly in a position of having to forward think. Booking next gigs, knowing that the flow of income may not always be consistent. My peace of mind to be control of my time is worth it.”

: “I love that all my creative endeavors challenge me in different ways, but all provide a way to give space for untold narratives. I also like that I can work on my own time and no day is the same as the last.”

: “How Mamas Love Their Babies is written by Juniper Fitzgerald, illustrated by me, and published through The Feminist Press. It’s the first children’s book that depicts various ways that mothers love and provide for their children, including sex workers. It was such an incredibly rewarding challenge to create visuals for this story. The book is currently available for pre-sale leading up to the big release in February 2018! When I started illustrating this book, I wasn’t pregnant and now at its release I can share it with my own child. What an incredible gift!”

: “Working in arts education has been one of the few constants in my life. My career in arts ed has spanned over ten years. I’m a huge advocate of art being accessible for all and also as a catalyst for social change and self-actualization. It’s especially important for me to work within underserved communities who, many times, have had their arts programs cut."

: Elise wears a Mara Hoffman Imogen Dress, L'Enchantuer jewelry, and vintage boots.

: "Dream House is a public art exhibition that I created for Art Production Fund’s new initiative Art Sundae and in collaboration with NYC Parks and Fort Gansevoort. The initiative is to create public work in collaboration with the NYC youth. My Dream House concept came to me in a dream. My partner and I had a conversation about how important it is for our future child to know how to utilize his or her imagination to turn a cardboard box into a spaceship versus being heavily reliant on technology for entertainment. That night I had a dream that I created a life-size home out of cardboard filled with imagery from dreams. As my ideation process evolved, I felt strongly about the concept of the work itself evolving over time. With Dream House, children were able to continuously leave notes and illustrations of their dreams in the house that I then wheat pasted on the interior and exterior throughout the duration of the exhibition."

: "It’s allowed me to streamline the projects I take on. I only do things that truly resonate with me and pay me my worth."

: "I’ll take a brief break from work to fully immerse myself in motherhood, and then continue working from home on my creative endeavors."

: "Throughout this pregnancy, I’ve been working on a new online series for Now This News called Mane. It focuses on the intersection of hair, history, and culture as it relates to women. The show will premiere at the top of 2018! I’ll also be continuing to illustrate children’s books, and taking advantage of every opportunity to create public art."

: “What an insanely simple and yet complex question. I'm probably most excited about just getting to know my little love. As far as being nervous, I have no idea. I hope to just take it day by day.”

: “I’ve always felt connected to motherhood. The older I’ve become, the more I became aware of the gravity of the responsibility. I think that deterred me for a bit, but I was definitely built for this physically and spiritually.”

: “Miya Hirabayashi was the first very NY mom I met when I moved to the city. I so admired the way she made both her career and her family a priority while keeping a great sense of humor. My own mother is my ultimate mom icon. My mother has always nurtured and encouraged my creativity and eccentricities since I was young. Her accepting me for who I am, no matter how often that may have changed, propelled me with the confidence I now have to navigate life.”

: “I loved spending the summers with grandparents and cousins. I look forward to my babe having that same experience with our extended family down south.”
Next stop: The new Hatch Collection flagship on Bleeker Street.

: Elise wears a Hatch Collection Cable Fisherman Sweater, Hatch Collection Boyfriend Cords, and a L'Enchantuer necklace.

: “It's been a total surprise and complication-free pregnancy.”

: “I’ve been planning a natural home birth with my doula and midwife for several months now.”

: “I’ve had this really strange excess saliva symptom of pregnancy. There have been times I literally have had to keep an empty water bottle with me to spit into while commuting around the city. Also, body odor changes…geesh!”

: “I hope so.”

: “I’ve got my baby nook nearly complete! I’m most looking forward to the children’s library that is slowly, but surely growing. I actually had two baby showers! One for the family and one that my friends in NY threw me.”

: "I love that New York allows the world at your fingertips. It’s a city entrenched in culture, and I can’t wait for my little love to soak it all up."

: Elise wears a L'Enchantuer hat, shirt, and earrings, Hatch Collection Boyfriend Cords, and Comme Des Garcons boots.

: "Absolutely! I think exposure and travel is life’s greatest teacher."

: "I’m blessed to have an incredible community of women in New York and beyond who have supported me throughout this entire process. My partner and his family in NY have been wonderful, as well. This being the first grandchild, my own family has been beyond thrilled to jump in with anything we need."

: "My home and neighborhood of Ft. Greene are my favorite places to lounge. I’m a sucker for a great park bench or new art exhibition. For a great meal, my comfort food is Ethiopian from Ghenet in Brooklyn."