This Mom With A Slow-Made Fashion Brand Reminds Us: 'Just Start'

When you walk into a room wearing something made by hand—stitch by stitch, with intention and soul—there's a quiet kind of power in it. For Vernadette Mayores, known lovingly as "Vad" to her friends and clients, that power began in childhood, bloomed in motherhood, and now flows through every piece of clothing she makes under her brand VadMakes.

Vad, a 30-year-old mom of one based in Tuguegarao City, juggles life as a project manager in the construction industry, a hands-on partner in her husband's family business, and the visionary behind her lovingly handmade clothing line. However, perhaps her most cherished role is that of a mom to her four-year-old son Pipo.

"I know it's been four years since I gave birth," Vad tells Smart Parenting over Zoom, "but I still feel like everything's new."

^{Vad and her son Pipo}

Her creative roots run deep. Growing up in San Fernando, Pampanga, Vad wore clothes sewn by her mother and was inspired by her. Her mom sewed everything—from curtains to college outfits—while Vad was studying European Studies at the Ateneo. "I was raised in an environment where your hands are capable," Vad shares. Everything slow-made is better. That's how I was raised."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VadMakes (@vadmakes)

Her mother is her ultimate inspiration—the very root of her passion for creating things by hand. From a young age, her mom left a lasting imprint on her life, not just through skills but through deeply rooted values: creativity, self-love, and an unwavering work ethic. Vad speaks with heartfelt gratitude, knowing that her mother didn't just teach her how to sew or design—she passed on a legacy.
As they say, "Some things aren't just taught—they're felt, lived, and lovingly passed down."

That love for craftsmanship stayed with her. But motherhood reignited her passion for sewing and helped her redefine beauty and body acceptance.

'When the clothes don't fit, make them fit you'

After giving birth, Vad found herself at 90 kilograms and on a journey to reclaim her health. As she worked on her fitness and wellness, she also faced a frustrating reality: her clothes no longer fit. "We invest in our clothes, right?" she says. "And I didn't like buying fast fashion." So she turned to her sewing machine.

"I didn't have to fit into my clothes. I could make my clothes fit me," Vad says. Her mindset became the heartbeat of VadMakes—a brand that honors every woman's evolving body and makes space for every season of motherhood.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VadMakes (@vadmakes)

Her first design? A terno with a wraparound skirt and an adjustable top. "It was forgiving," she explains. "Whether I was bloated, on my period, or just having a different body week, my clothes still worked for me." That design philosophy inspired a ready-to-wear line for busy moms who want to look put together without the fuss.

"Motherhood looks different for everyone. And we don't owe anyone an explanation for what brings us joy." —Vad Mayores, slow fashion advocate, mom of one

Made with love, for her son

Vad lovingly crochets sweaters, sews little shirts for her son, and beams with pride every time he says with his cute little voice, "My mom made this for me."
That sacred bond is sewn into everything she does.

^{Working on a project with her son}

And yes—her little one gets a say. "He's very opinionated," Vad says with a laugh. "Sometimes his favorite color is whatever shirt he's wearing—but to be fair, he probably picked it out first." She has plans for mom-and-me designs, where the same fabric can be transformed into a dress for mom and a top for her son.

On burnout, judgment, and motherhood

Despite her joyful creativity, Vad is candid about the challenges of balancing motherhood and her passion. "If there were any challenges, I would say it's really the burnout," she admits. "Doing the same thing every day can be exhausting."

When this happens, she makes something small—just for herself: a quick blouse, a tiny headband, even a hair clip—a small act of self-care that keeps her spirit alive. "And then okay, I indulge myself and go back to the grind," she says.

^{Vad having a candid moment with Pipo}

Another challenge is dealing with judgment, especially in a conservative, small-town environment. "Here in the province, there's a very set idea of what motherhood looks like," Vad says. "And that doesn't really look like me." She would hear other moms or other people saying "Bakit siya ganyan magtrabaho at maging nanay?” she added. It was getting into her initially, but she's learned to brush it off. 

She realized that "Motherhood looks different for everyone. And we don't owe anyone an explanation for what brings us joy."

For moms with creative dreams

Vad's advice to moms who want to pursue their creative dreams?

"Start with what's familiar," she says. "It doesn't have to be something you're great at. Just something that brings you comfort."

Don't start with pressure—begin with joy. "If it becomes something big, then great. If not, that's okay too. Just do you."

Vad started VadMakes in 2019, long before her son was born, not as a business but as a page to share whatever she wanted to make. Today, it's evolved into something more—where handmade dreams, empowered moms, and love in every stitch come to life.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VadMakes (@vadmakes)

As Vad says, "It's just about making things. That's why it's called VadMakes." And we're so glad she does.

Check out Vad's creations, and order your slow-made clothes from Vad through her Instagram page, VadMakes.