Mother Stories
Meet L.A. Mama Zoila Darton
Written by Erin Feher
Photography by Morgan Pansing
Mar 11, 2020
Today’s profile brings you a dreamy snapshot of family life in the slow lane of Los Angeles. NYC-to-L.A. transplant Zoila Darton found herself hopping all over the city trying to find the right fit for her family when a new baby, a new job, and new schedule forced a move out of their Hollywood high rise. They finally found their groove in the seaside town of Marina del Rey, where Zoila is raising her two-year-old son, Dakota, and running her creative agency, WORD. We were excited to check back in with this inspirational mama, as she previously shared with us the terrifying experience of her son’s first few weeks, when he spent a stint in the hospital fighting for his life. Life is thankfully more mellow these days, and Zoila gave us a tour of their new digs and opened up about the first couple years of motherhood. Click through the slideshow below for the full tour and interview!
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- "When we found out I was pregnant, we moved into a Hollywood high rise. It was close to my husband Zach’s new office and there was a doorman/elevator—something we never had in NYC and would OBVIOUSLY need once the baby came. Then, a new job happened, and Zach was commuting to Santa Monica daily, missing out on a ton of new baby time. So, as they say in LA: You should live where you work. We began the search for what would be our 5th L.A. home in the 3 years we had lived here. When we arrived in Marina Del Rey, I was confused. It was so nice. I thought, 'This is definitely out of our price range.' I was still hormonal and snapped at Zach 'How dare you take me here. We can’t afford this!'"
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- "After viewing the home, I was still not really able to process things and still mad at Zach for bringing us to a place so beautiful and so out of reach. Then a week later I decided we were going to live in Marina Del Rey. And then, it just happened. We applied for the apartment and poof, now we’re here. And honestly, ever since that day, life has gone according to my ability to seek abundance. I’m grateful every day to live by the water and to smell flowers when I take Dakota for a walk. I didn’t grow up like this, but Dakota will. Life is beautiful like that."
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- "I would say our home is an eclectic minimalist plant sanctuary. We don’t care to fill every space, but there are bursts of color and creativity all over."
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- "No. We don’t own. Yet!"
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- "It has evolved so much since moving to L.A. But I like our home to have a balance of feminine and masculine. I also believe in everything having a purpose, but allowing for playfulness to still shine through."
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- "My plants, a photo of three Arab sisters by Shana Jade, our giant Frida con Rolos print by Tony Peralta, our wedding photos, a collage of polaroids from Dakota’s first trip to Paris."
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- "We allow Dakota to have a special area for play in every part of the home except our bedroom and my office. It’s important to us that he feels like our home is his home, too. We hope it fosters love and respect for the home as he grows up."
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- "Learning. I learn something new about myself, my son, and my husband daily. It’s quite exciting!"
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- "The world needs more empathetic and emotionally intelligent men. I am excited by the opportunity to guide my son in this way. I’m excited to raise a man who will understand what equality means because he will see it in his home."
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- "Dakota Jack. Dakota is a Native American name that means 'friend' or 'ally.' We’ve always loved it. Jack is my maternal grandfather’s name."
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- "Dakota is 2 and is really into counting—in Spanish and English!—hugging, grapes, 'playing with friends' (his words, not mine), singing, dancing, joking—he is really a funny little guy!—putting on his Crocs on his own, tricking us into reading more books at bedtime, reading any and all Richard Scarry books, playing with cars, planes, sharks, and anything that lives in the sea."
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- "Yes. Always."
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- "My pregnancy was amazing. I felt empowered and worked my ass off. A shirt I designed was showcased at Art Basel; Zach and I went to Miami while I was 7 months pregnant. Dakota saw Bjork, Wu Tang, Lauryn Hill, and Nas all before he was born. Lucky guy. I was oblivious to what raising a child in a new city with no family was like. It got REAL after Dakota was born! But the pregnancy—it was wonderful."
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- "Sadly, no. This is something I wish I had. I had no time off and no help. But alas, we’re good!"
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- "I really loved The Wonder Weeks during year one. It really outlines the different leaps your child is going through and provides a ton of clarity for first-time mamas like me who were clueless!"
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- "Diana Ross, Michelle Obama, my friend Sarah Jonovic—she has 3 and I just don’t know how she does it. My own mom, because she did her best and I am so grateful for all the knowledge passed down. My friend Sadye Campoamor is the perfect working mother in my eyes. She is iconic!"
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- "I was raised by a single mom and was really on my own a ton. I didn’t realize until becoming a mother how much my upbringing affected me. Motherhood is like a giant mirror. You can choose to look into it and face the music or the mirror will devour you. I’m looking into it daily and love what I see. I know I do my best, just like my mom did."
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- "We follow a lot of the Montessori method. We believe in adventure and self discovery. We believe in fostering an environment where Dakota can learn about himself, feel independent in his world, and feel empowered to collaborate and play with other children without fear. We just do our best."
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"I’m a woman of color, my life has always been political. Nothing new."
Zoila wears a Viva la Bonita lavender sweatsuit.
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- "Take it easy on yourself. Rest when you can. Know that whatever you did that day, it was your best. Take it easy on yourself."
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- "Yes. We would like one more. A girl maybe!"
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- "I’m the founder of a boutique creative agency called WORD. We create meaningful marketing campaigns, digital content, and experiences rooted in culture that center the narratives of women and other marginalized communities. We work with founders, small business, and corporate brands, as well as create our own content and events to support our growing community. We've been called inspirational and uplifting, which is nice because my main goal with WORD is to help the unseen feel seen and to have a place where my creativity is allowed to flow freely. And of course, to hire brilliant talented people and get them P-A-I-D!"
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- "I started working at the age of 7, helping my mom file papers for her boss who was an entertainment lawyer. Business and creativity are in my blood. After college, I worked in fashion as a stylist's assistant, and even interned at Refinery29 many moons ago while waitressing in NYC, where I’m from. I transitioned into the music business to support my family's company, Mayimba Music, and was the director of marketing for almost 8 years before going out on my own and starting WORD in 2017. What I love most about WORD is having the agency to do work that is rooted in community activism. I always say that we each have our own way of doing our part, and I know that storytelling and facilitating community gathering is what I was put on his earth to do. I'm blessed to be here doing it."
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- "As difficult as it has been to start a new career, a new business, and raise a new baby, I do it because there is nothing quite like being able to be with my child on my terms."
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- "We have a nanny and a handful of friends in our neighborhood, as well as spread out around L.A., whom we love, but I wouldn’t say we have an amazing support system here. Nothing like what we have in NYC, but it will come with time. We love figuring it out as a unit, as challenging as it may be—it’s our challenge."
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- "It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. It’s a true juggling act—there is no REAL balance, but that’s O.K. Just take it easy on yourself and the people around you, we’re all just doing our best! If you have a freelance lifestyle, my big advice is travel as much as you can while that child is under 2, because they’re free!"
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- "Not really. I know I’m a good mom. I’m doing my best with what I’ve got. I do struggle with how far I’d be in my career if I wasn't a mom. I’ve had to compromise a lot of my professional life since we don’t have a strong support system out here. But I’m O.K. with it. But at times I feel a little sad that I’m not the completely independent power woman anymore. I’m a different kind of power woman now, though, and I love her. This is the path uniquely laid out for me."
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- "I’ve become plant obsessed since moving to L.A. It’s important for me to have greenery all around us. I would say our living room is a perfect balance between comfort and cool. Our couch is SO cozy but also still feels chic. I love looking out onto our unique pieces of art and growing plant family."
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- "Freedom, space, and sun! It’s 100% not easy to raise a child in a place where you have very little familial support, but the tradeoff of living a 10-minute walk from the beach is worth it. I didn’t grow up with beautiful plants and trees and fresh air and water and mountains, all within arms reach. It’s amazing what you’re able to give your kid that wasn’t accessible to you growing up."
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- "Paris. I’d move tomorrow."
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- "MTN for the best veggie ramen I’ve ever had. I cry thinking about it. Mitsuwa for more ramen and an incredible Japanese market. Kismet, their flaky bread also makes me cry. Xelas in Boyle Heights for fun food and drinks. I’m in love with the new Soho Warehouse in DTLA. The rooftop pool is #1 on my to-do list this summer! Everlane, LCD, and Reparations Club are top notch places to shop. I also love Melody Ehsani on Fairfax. Will Rogers State Park in Santa Monica is incredible for hiking and picnics. The Natural History Museum and Huntington Library are both wonderful for dates with or without kids. For coffee and getting some work in, I like Patria Coffee in Inglewood, and Big & Tiny co-working space in Santa Monica—they have childcare! The Now has the best massages, and the facials at Natural Feeling Spa are a spiritual experience."
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- "We wanted to keep Dakota’s room simple, bright, and easy for free play."
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- "It was really important to have a book shelf that is easily accessible for him. I just LOVE the bookcase with the little seating nook—we got it on Amazon! Such an amazing find."
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- The very best giver of hugs.
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- "My style really depends on my mood. Sometimes I’m classic and channel style icons like Ricky Lauren or Coco Chanel with a blazer, jeans, and boots or flats, and other days I channel my uptown New York spirit and pull out a fly pair of sneakers to take any outfit over the top. These days I do mix classic and uptown. I’m really into my Melody Ehsani Jordan 1s, a fabulous chunky earring, and a great bag—I’m complete!"
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- "Yes and no. I think my style changed when I moved to L.A. I’ll go as far as to say I lost my fashion groove—the lifestyle really turned me into a very low maintenance gal. These days, I’m getting back into fashion again. It took me two years to feel like myself again! I don’t know how new moms stay fashionable. I salute all of you! Maybe for baby #2."
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- "I’m obsessed with Everlane jeans and a great pair of sneakers right now. I also just treated myself to a new grown woman purse for my 35th and it’s so chic—I feel like a real boss when I wear it. I’m also a huge fan of Rachel Comey jewelry, my Melody Ehsani Jordan 1s, and anything I can buy from LCD."
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- Polaroids from Dakota's first trip to Paris.
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- "I’m so low maintence! But I do swear by Lotus Moon Poppy Seed Foaming Cleanse and their Firm and Refine Night Gel. I exfoliate three times a week with the poppy seed. The products are 100 percent clean and actually work! I’m also in love with Oulis Ointment and Nurse Jaime’s Face Wand. I live and die by the Rizos Curls suite—this is the best product I’ve encountered for curly hair."
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- Zoila wears Everlane jeans and Melody Ehsani Jordan 1s.
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- "I try to get in 10K steps a day, I run when I can, and practice meditation and journaling daily. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane. I’m currently working on my relationship with food and this new program Noom has been very helpful! Holler at me in a month, let’s see where I’m at."
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- "I try to meditate and journal every morning, which gives me time to myself. But taking proper 'me time' is different every time. It’s really just about prioritizing my joy and peace so I can be a better mom, a better wife, business owner, and friend. Sometimes it's a manicure on the weekend, other times it’s an extra long shower, a walk, some time with a book, a hot yoga class. I recently went to a Korean Spa which was divine."
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- "But mostly my self-care involves checking in with myself, balancing my mental health, and working to curb anxiety, which has definitely gotten a bit more severe since becoming a mom. Self-care has become such an industry, but it should really be about a litmus test for your mental health; making sure you’re balanced or at least cognizant of the imbalance. Meditating has really been an anchor for me since becoming a mom. I’m grateful for my practice."
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- "I’m writing a TV show."
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- For more on Zoila, her projects, and her sweet family, be sure to follow her on Instagram.
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