English Version | Working mum

“Did model Maggie Maurer just post the most fashion breastfeeding selfie of all time?” This was the question that opened an article published in January 2023 in the British edition of Vogue, a few days after Maurer shared a photo on her Instagram account of herself breastfeeding her daughter, Nora-Jane, backstage at Schiaparelli's Spring/Summer 2023 Haute Couture show, in which she had participated. The image looked like it had been taken from a Renaissance painting - with a few brushstrokes of surrealism thrown in, or it wouldn't have been a Schiaparelli event. Maggie is covered in a protective plastic sheet, still adorned with the gold face paint applied by make-up artist Pat McGrath.

As the aforementioned text said, it was giving “super mum-meets-fashion goddess.” The result? The Internet went wild (literally), with hundreds of comments supporting something that, in the 21st century, should be seen as normal. Since the dawn of time, women have had to combine, sometimes overwhelmingly, the role of mother with all the other roles they occupy in society, be it as workers, “housewives” (the quotation marks serve as a reminder of what is still seen as a minor task), carers, students, stay-at-home moms, and so on. And here we are, completely amazed at the record of something absolutely banal… But this wasn't the first time that Nora-Jane stole the limelight, quite the opposite. When Maggie was still pregnant, her belly walked the runway for Nensi Dojaka, was the star of Schiaparelli's lookbook and appeared in Peter Do's campaign, all for fall/winter 2022. Which begs the simple question: if the model didn't shy away from sharing her state of grace before giving birth, why would she when she already had her baby in her arms? What is so revolutionary about breastfeeding “in public”? Apparently, everything. Maurer's decision transcended the fashion sphere and made it into major newspapers around the world, reopening the (necessary) debate on the balance between motherhood and career. Today, as well as being one of the most sought-after models in the industry, with a versatility capable of disarming the most experienced photographer, Maggie is the symbol of a new generation that doesn't want to give up anything for the sake of a career. Nora-Jane accompanies her in almost every situation (as in this shoot for Vogue Portugal), and her small family has become the central axis through which all decisions are made. In a world that insists on living at an overwhelming speed, it's curious to realize that while it's not possible to “have it all”, it is perfectly possible to have everything we want. In small doses, at our own pace - and with a phenomenal closet.

What can you tell us about Maggie — the woman, the mother, the model? I know “Joy” is your middle name, does it have an impact on who you are as a person? My full name is Margaret Joy Maurer , I am a mother, I work as a Model. The middle Name joy is passed to me through my mother and to her from her mother. I also gave this middle name to my daughter because I do believe that your given name has an impact on who you become in this world. Who doesn’t need joy in their life? We all do, so we carry it with us. And hopefully pass a little bit to everyone we meet. 

You started your modeling career “late” for what is normal in the industry, at the age of 25. What did you do before that? I worked for many years looking after children. [I also worked] As a restarant manager and as the manager of a small clothing boutique in my home town. 

You soon became one of the most sought-after models. For instance, you had a super strong relationship with Phoebe Philo during her Celine tenure and now you are one of the most important models for Daniel Roseberry at Schiaparelli. Do you feel these kind of connections are what makes fashion so special for you? It absolute helps. 

This issue is dedicated to the concept of Motherhood, so even though it's a cliché question, there's no avoiding it. How has being a mother changed your routine? My routine is probably quite similar to before it just gets constantly interrupted now by a tiny human. Which is honestly one of the hardest things to get used to. You don’t change at all and change completely at the same time. 

While pregnant, you posed for a number of campaigns and editorials. Was it already a decision to assume that “the old Maggie” was gone? As our life and our story evolves, it has to change. You can not become who you are if you try to hold on to who you were. 

You are one of the few models that we see walking with your baby from show to show, and it became normal to see snaps of the two of you together. Was it ever your intention to de-mystify the concept of bringing the kids to work? Absolutely not my intention. Its just did what I had to do at the time and continue to do that. Its actually really hard to bring your child where ever you go!!  There are many reason that lead to all of what you see. Main one being for me that I live alone in France a country where I don’t speak the language with no family and struggle to find trusted help to suit the insane schedule of the fashion industry. People really like to see her though and I do find having her there really softens people. 

Last year, your photos breastfeeding behind-the-scenes broke the internet, with everybody applauding you and calling you “MOTHER”. Were you expecting this reaction? No! I didn’t do it for a reaction. 

We recently saw you and your family on the Benetton campaign, shot by Giampaolo Sgura. A few months ago you and Nora-Jane did an editorial for Vogue France and, in this issue dedicated to the concept of Motherhood, she also appears in some of the photos from her shoot. Does she like to be photographed? She is very professional. She is starting to be really uncomfortable with it now though so I think it will be the end for now.

You and Hicham seem to encapsulate the concept of “cool family”: beautiful, talented, with a huge sense of style. How is a day in your life? We work very hard and spend our free time as a very well dressed family.

Would you like to have more kids? Yes.

In terms of work, what do you still want to achieve? What a backwards world we have created where our achievements are defined by the work we do. I am building a strong foundation so that the things that I do stand the test of time and are the blocks on which my children can build their future and a future for their children and so on.

Originally published in The Mother Nature Issue, from May 2024. Full stories and credits are in the printed version.