Out of all the secular celebrations we have throughout the year, it is Mother’s Day that speaks the most to me. Not so much because I am a mother of two rambunctious kids myself (I deserve the day!), but because being a mother gave me new appreciation for my own mum. As the years passed and the children grew, all the life lessons and values that she had on constant repeat as I was growing up started making absolute sense. They turned from exasperating little naggings to words of wisdom to be cherished, learned from and, in turn, passed on. More importantly, being a mum allowed me to understand just how much she loves me, as I do my own.
To honour this wonderful day this May, we celebrate the beautiful, unbreakable bond between mother and child—and we couldn’t have done it with a better pair than Wendy Jacobs and Iman Fandi. The only two women in a family of five male footballers, they have an exceptional bond: Unmeasurable love, female empathy, mutual respect, and, of course, immense pride for each other. As Wendy says of her multihyphenate daughter Iman, “Seeing her grow and flourish is one of the greatest rewards I could ever ask for.” And Iman returns the favour, sharing how spending time with her mum “grounds” her. Read about their unwavering bond on page 38 and hear what Wendy has to say about her decision to don the hijab.
Looking and feeling your best, no matter your age, is something that we consistently espouse here at ELLE. So, for our Beauty Special this month, we’ve curated a list of products, treatments and reports that both mothers and daughters can enjoy. In “Radiance Unlocked” (page 81), we show you how to unleash your inner glow and get the glass skin effect that everyone is crazy about, courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté. We also have the niftiest gadgets you can get your hands on for a quick spa treatment top-to-toe, right in the comforts of your own home (page 94). Want to get liquid hair? Then read our “Straight to Perfection” feature (page 92) and learn why this year’s treatments will do wonders for your crowning glory.
From meditation advice straight from the guru himself, Deepak Chopra (page 102), to the comprehensive “Follow the Green Path” report on how the beauty industry is taking sustainability seriously ( page 98), we have all the content you need to make informed decisions to bring out the very best you.
To top it all off, we present the hottest arm candies for the season in “Bags of Fun” (page 56) before reporting on fashion’s new obsession with imperfections (page 32).
For beauty inside and out? We’ve got you covered. Now go tell mum you love her.
Photographed by Wee Khim
Styled by Sharon Tulasidas
Make-up Wee Ming using Burberry Beauty
Hair Sean Ang using Schwarzkopff Professional & Dyson Hair
Photographer’s Assistant Ivan Teo
Stylist Assistant Josephine Ang
Producer Navin Pillay