MOTHER’s feeling nostalgic. With a new year on the horizon, we’re looking back at a 2025 that pushed us, shaped us and reminded us what we’re made of. From building a Hustler-inspired pawn shop to dreaming up a maximalist collection with Italian brand La Double J, it was a year that stretched our creativity and took the brand into new territory. It was also a year of challenges—fires in Los Angeles, shifting tariffs and the kind of uncertainty that keeps you on your toes—but those moments only underscored the strength of our community and the work we continue to do.

So as we close out the year, we asked a group of team members to reflect on the essentials: the MOTHER piece they actually lived in, the project that defined their year, the moment that made them proud to be here, the wash that summed up their vibe, and the mantra they’re carrying into 2026. This is MOTHER’s year in review—honest, grateful and ready for whatever comes next.

ALEXA YOSHIMOTO

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Delinquent Flood in Pirate Black—as a petite girl, it's long and baggy in all the best ways! 

Peak MOTHER moment: Celebrating Earth Day by participating in a beach cleanup. It was a meaningful experience and reminded me that I'm part of a company that doesn't just talk about values but lives them. 

The MOTHER project that defined your year: Building out a more intentional customer feedback loop—starting with conducting in-depth customer interviews. Listening to our customers' challenges and turning those insights into actionable improvements is what we hope to continue doing. 

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: “All I Can Take” by Justin Bieber. 

The wash name that sums up your year: This Is How I Roll. 

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: “Everything happens for a reason.”

ERICA STRUMLAUF

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Half-Pipe in Did You Bring Me Anything?

Peak MOTHER moment: Launching our branded space at Nordstrom in their NYC flagship store.

The project that defined your year: Expanding our penetration in petites, sportswear, and accessories.

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: “Supersonic” by Oasis.

The wash name that sums up your year: Not Today Satan.

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: “LFG.”

EMILY OSBURN

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Lil Full Pipe Flood in It's A Small World.

Peak MOTHER moment: I still get excited every time I see MOTHER in the wild. Those are always cool moments for me.

The project that defined your year: I would say overseeing our designer brands is the project that defines all my years at MOTHER! We have some really great brands, and it’s always fun to work with them from buying the collections to seeing everything photographed and getting them up on the site.

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: It’s hard to pick just one song, but the album I’ve been vibing to the most this year is Portal by Balu Brigada.

The wash name that sums up your year: Nighty Night because I’m always sleepy lol.

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: I’m turning thirty this year so let’s go with the classic, “thirty, flirty, and thriving.”

JAY STEINER

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Oversized Hoodie in Mother Puff.

Peak MOTHER moment: Brainstorming a MOTHER pawn shop for The Hustler capsule (brass knuckles)!

The project that defined your year: Maybe the La Double J collab—was a lotta fun working with that team.

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: “Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell” by The Flaming Lips.

The wash name that sums up your year: Not Today Satan. 

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: “No amount of guilt can change the past, and no amount of anxiety will change the future."

ELAINE PASCUA

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Lil Kick It in Bitchin’.

Peak MOTHER moment: Seeing La Double J x MOTHER collaboration come to life.

The project that defined your year: Another special international collaboration set to launch early next year.

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: 777 Hz mediation music.

The wash name that sums up your year: Teamwork.

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: “Grateful for the magic around me.”

HANNAH FRANSON

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Kick It Flood in Do Not Disturb.

Peak MOTHER moment: The design team threw me a baby shower in May before I went on maternity leave, and that was so so special and made me feel all the warm fuzzies.

The project that defined your year: My first baby—Blair—was born this year, so I would say MOTHERhood has been my defining project in 2025. 

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: “Mutt” by Leon Thomas—it’s been on repeat around our house all year I’d say! My husband and I sing it to our dog all the time.

The wash name that sums up your year: DILLIGAF? Has to be the wash name that best sums up my year, haha.

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: “Just keep swimming!!!”

MARCIAL SALDANA

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Chaser.

Peak MOTHER moment: Halloween day.  

The project that defined your year: Creating the new Maven Sneak for Fall ‘26.

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: “Sueña” by Intocable.

The wash name that sums up your year: Comeback Kid.

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: “Stay positive all 2026.”

NAOLIN LOPEZ

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Reifler in After Midnight.

Peak MOTHER moment: Ecom/Marketing team putting together a surprise lunch birthday celebration for me, Nat, and Grace with Buzz Ballz piñatas!

The project that defined your year: Events prep (La Double J Collaboration Paris event and Munich/Copenhagen Press Dinner)!

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: “Let’s Go” by Bileo.

The wash name that sums up your year: Cool As A Cat.

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: “Yolo!”

BRUNO VARGAS

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Proper.

Peak MOTHER moment: The birthday celebrations we do monthly.

The project that defined your year: Creating the Bruiser for Fall ‘26.

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles.

The wash name that sums up your year: Field of Flowers.

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: “100% positivity throughout 2026.”

NADINE BLOEMER

The MOTHER piece you lived in: The Reifler in After Midnight and one size up. ;-)

Peak MOTHER moment: Opening of the Nordstrom NY shop.

The project that defined your year: Creating the Gift Guide. 

If 2025 had a theme song, it’d be: “New Light” by John Mayer.

The wash name that sums up your year: Work Hard Play Hard.

Your 2026 vibe or mantra: “It is the invisible labor that makes creative life possible.”

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