STYLE YOUR PARENT(S)- featuring Erika styled by her son Yuji @vvyujii Erika welcomed us into her home in the Bronx where her son, Yuji styled her for her first ever photoshoot! Erika came to NYC from Mexico in 1999 and works in construction. She was a natural in front of the camera and said “I felt so happy and proud that my son got to style me. I always wanted to model.” Yuji, a 19-year-old multi-hyphenate creative, styled his mom using several pieces that were handmade by family members. He said that styling his mom was “a dream come true....It made me really happy and emotional, seeing her in the outfits I put together. I was like, ‘wow! I have a really beautiful mother!’ I couldn’t stop smiling.” Yuji celebrated his family’s Mexican heritage in this shoot by incorporating elements of Santa Muerte, (a saint that represents death) in the props/set he built in the entrance to his mother’s apartment. He and his mother taught me that his family builds altars to honor Santa Muerte to show respect. Yuji’s mom introduced Santa Muerte to her son at an early age and has shaped his perspective surrounding death and taught him never to fear it. Erika’s list of things that get better as she gets older: “Decisions I make. Being more selective with who I surround myself with. Valuing life. Understanding my parents now, since I’m a mother.” LOOK 1: Jacket: made by Yuji’s uncle Corset and black top: thrifted Pants: @dollskill Shoes: @dollskill LOOK 2: Dress: made by Yuji’s grandma Shoes: @docmartensshoes Lace on her head: found it in Erika’s closet Hair by @solisbeing • • • These photographs are part of an ongoing series “STYLE YOUR PARENT(S)”. Bringing 2 generations together. Flipping the script and putting the kids in charge. Illustrating that being a parent can look damn good. There is so much to look forward to as we get older. #styleyourparents