Mother Stories
Pregnancy Style: Harper Poe of Proud Mary
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Olivia Rae James
Jul 28, 2015
In need of a quick dose of wanderlust? Look no further than this profile of professional globetrotter and mama-to-be Harper Poe, the entrepreneur behind the ultra covetable online shop Proud Mary, which carries “ethnic-modern” goods produced ethically by crafts people in far-flung corners of the world. With a full arsenal of vibrant caftans, woven flats, and roomy bags at her disposal, it’s no wonder styling the bump has been a breeze for the 37-year-old Southerner. Just take a look. Of course, if the casual-cool “maternity” clothes don’t get you, we’re guessing the beautiful Charleston, SC, backdrops will.
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- "I started a brand called Proud Mary in 2008. We work with traditional hand-crafts artisans (mostly textiles) in Latin America and Africa to create our line of 'ethnic-modern' goods for clothing, accessories, and home decor. We're currently working in Morocco, Peru, Mexico, Mali, and Lesotho. We really focus on making an impact through job creation and maintaining a consistent income for our artisan partners through access to broader markets.” Harper wears a Proud Mary dress and sandals.
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- “Everything, but mostly the people. I love being connected to a broad community of people all over the world. Those relationships mean the world to me."
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- Harper in her textile-rich abode.
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- "I sort of have a plan in place. I work from home, so I will try and get some things done in the beginning during nap time. I think most moms will laugh at that! We are planning on sending him to an awesome Montessori daycare, but that won't start until February, so there will be some grandparent daycare, babysitters, and maybe sharing a part-time nanny with a friend for a few months."
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- Proud Mary goods.
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- "I grew up in the South, so Charleston was a bit like coming home. I moved here in 2008 after living in New York, California, Colorado, Europe, and Central America since college. I could have stayed in New York a bit longer, but I'm not sure that I would have been able to grow Proud Mary living there. I think Charleston has been a very nurturing place to build my brand. Of course, I miss so many things about city life, but I am lucky to be able to travel frequently so my world doesn't feel tiny. I always say that I want to live everywhere and nowhere in particular. There isn't one place that has it all."
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- Sitting pretty.
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- "Earthling Day Spa for massages and facials, Sugar Snap Pea for cute clothes and gear, Magnifilous Toy Emporium, the beach, and Sugar Bakeshop for cookies and cupcakes (I've had a major sweet tooth!)."
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- "Epidural, hospital, standard procedure (hopefully!)."
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- "My ever expanding bust."
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- "Knock on wood...it's been a fairly uneventful pregnancy, just tired during the first trimester and now that it's 110 degrees out.”
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- “A boy! I totally wanted a girl and tried to convince myself that it was a girl, although everyone else said that I was 100% having a boy. I'm not very girly. so I think a boy will be really fun and keep me active. I can't wait for him to learn to surf, play soccer, skateboard, and run around and get dirty. Everyone says that boys love their mommas, so of course I'm excited about that."
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- The tiniest sandals.
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- And another pair for baby to grow into.
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- "We're still working out the name. I loved being Harper growing up. It's become a much more common name, but I was always the only Harper and really enjoyed having a different name. I'm gravitating towards a few unique last names as first names and family names.”
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- "Casual. Summer usually means a lot of jean shorts and white tanks." Harper wears a Black Crane jumpsuit, Suitsupply glasses, and espadrilles from Spain.
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- "I've been wearing dresses a lot more. I'm lucky to have so many loose fitting, caftan-y type things in my closet, so I haven't had to buy much."
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- "Denim, short overalls from Target, a linen jumper from Black Crane, and caftans from Mexico and West Africa.”
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- "I've collected some cute handmade tops, hats, and booties on my recent travels that I can't wait to put him in. I'm trying to keep the gear to a minimum, but love the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair we got. It's clean and modern and will look nice in the kitchen. Also, I love the moses basket I'm borrowing from my oldest friend of 30 years. He will have his own room with a little corner still reserved for Proud Mary storage.”
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- "It's been fairly easy. I've only purchased two actual maternity pieces, all the rest I buy a larger size of a non-maternity piece or wear what's in my closet (many sack-like choices!). This is my first pregnancy, but I think being pregnant in the summer makes it easier to dress the bump." Harper wears a dress from Oaxaca, Madewell heels and sunglasses, and a necklace made from ostrich eggs by artisans in Namibia.
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- "I have a sister that lives in Charleston and my parents live about an hour and a half away, so I will have some good help. My partner is in the restaurant industry and just opened a new spot recently, so he won't be able to take time off, but will have a flexible schedule with some time off during the day, which will help me out since I plan on continuing to work from home."
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- "I feel like I'm joining a secret society of bad-asses connecting mankind throughout time. It feels very superhero. Also, I'm excited to put someone else's needs in front of mine. I've been thinking about me, what I need, and what I want for 37 years...that's exhausting."
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- "I think I'm most nervous about breastfeeding. It's something that I 100% want to do, but for some reason am scared that it will be really difficult. I'm more nervous about breastfeeding that than the actual birth!"
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- "I was given a bunch of books and have only briefly thumbed through The Mother of All Pregnancy Books. I figure people have been giving birth for a very long time and I most likely won't absorb the info in all of these books, so I'm counting on using my instincts.”
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- "My friend Nicole Fasolino is a rock star momma. She's an art director and stylist in New York and momma to Luca. Sheand Luca have a beautiful bond and she has made a point to show him the world from a young age, which is an inspiration to me! But all my momma friends are pretty amazing and unique in their approach to motherhood. I love that they continue to personally grow their lives and businesses while supporting these awesome little people!"
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- "I hope so! As soon as I can get him vaccinated, I'd love to take him on a work trip. I'm trying to wrap my head around the possibility of flying 15+ hours with an infant. Seems doable?!"
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- "I just had one in Charlotte, NC, where I grew up, with some of my oldest friends. I am the last one sans kiddos at this point, so it was pretty funny for them to see me trying to figure out what all these baby things were! It was a perfectly non-baby shower affair where everyone enjoyed some good food and stuck around and drank rose (and sparkling water) for hours. I'll have another in a few weeks in Charleston hosted by some of my best local lady friends. It's going to be at a beautiful new space in downtown Charleston, The Westendorff.” Harper wears a Proud Mary tank, American Apparel skirt, Madewell sunglasses, and Proud Mary sandals.
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- "I was reading a post on Mystic Mamma that talked about the issue of fear, sadness, and loss as you are going through your pregnancy and how this is totally normal to feel. It's the process of losing your old self, but gaining this incredible strength. No one talks about this feeling of loss and it's something that I have definitely felt...not in a terrible, depressed way, just as something to acknowledge and process. No one ever told me about this.” To follow the rest of Harper's motherhood journey, follow her on Instagram.
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