VICE FASHION - BABY BABY MOMMAS
PHOTOS by Richard Kern
STYLING by Annette Ramos
All clothes models’ own |
| Ayanna, 15, and Aniyah, 3 months |
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Vice: Was being pregnant hard for you?
Ayanna: All my family was fine with it, except for my older brother. He’s mad at the guy and mad at me too.
How tough was it giving birth? You’re tiny.
It wasn’t bad. I did the childbirth naturally and I was only in labor for five hours. I just enjoy being a parent. I like spending time and having her next to me. It’s a new opportunity, getting to learn how babies develop. They grow right in front of your eyes.
Don’t you worry that you’re missing out on all the fun years of your youth?
No. Whenever I want to go out, I go out. I don’t think I’m missing out on anything, because all I used to do is sometimes hang out, chill with my friends, that sort of thing. But I can still do that, you know. It’s not like I’m missing out on anything that’s important. |
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(l-r): All clothes model’s own; Samantha Pleet dress, House of Waris necklace
| Laporsh’e, 16, and Tamia, 5 months |
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Vice: Are you still in school?
Laporsh’e: I’m going into the 11th grade. My goal right now is to finish high school so I can go to college. I want to be like a social worker or a child psychologist.
How much does your schoolwork eat into the amount of time you get to hang out with Tamia?
At my school they don’t really give us homework, so it makes it easier to spend a lot of time with my daughter. I mostly take her outside for walks and read her books in English and Spanish. We like the Cat in the Hat books.
Do you still have time to hang out with your old friends?
I didn’t really have friends. I’m the type of person that likes to stay by myself. In my spare time I mostly read, and I write poems. I’ve always wanted to write my own book of poetry. |
(t-b): All clothes model’s own; Paul Frank shirt
| Shamecca, 17 and Xavier, 10 months |
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Vice: How do you feel about having had Xavier when you were still a kid?
Shamecca: I don’t regret having him. I could have waited, but it happened and now I’m learning how to raise him and what’s best for me.
Did your folks give you a lot of grief when they found out you had a bun in the oven?
They were really supportive. In the beginning they told me, “If you want a baby, you can have a baby. Right now is not the time, but whatever your decision is we’re still going to be behind you.” When she had me, my mother was the same age as I was when I had Xavier. Same hospital too.
How hard was it adjusting to being a mom?
I’m young, but I haven’t got to enjoy my childhood. I can’t go a lot of places. But usually I’ll just get over it. I’ll take my son with me, or I’ll figure out something else to do. There are a lot of times you feel you really need your own space, but that’s your child forever. It’s like you’re married. |
(l-r): Harajuku Lovers shirt, Hooch skirt; all clothes model’s own
| Leslie, 18, and Demein, 2 |
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Vice: What are you up to right now?
Leslie: Finishing up school. I’ve got two semesters left. My ultimate goal is to become a midwife. For me to be self-sufficient doing that, I have to get a bachelor’s degree, which will take another four years.
I didn’t realize there were midwives anymore.
Sure. I work with a group called the Community Birthing Project doing counseling for women to help them through the labor process and have natural childbirth.
What’s so great about natural childbirth?
Women’s bodies are built to give birth. It was happening for thousands of years before medical intervention came along. Doctors think the painkillers put the woman out of her misery, but ultimately that’s what her body was made for.
How did your pregnancy go?
Considering the fact that I was 16, it was pretty good. |
(l-r): Paul Frank dress; WeSC shirt and pants, House of Waris necklace and earrings
| Chenelle, 19, and Latasha, 1 |
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Vice: Was it hard breaking the news to your family when you found out you were pregnant?
Chenelle: Oh, my family was happy. My mother had me when she was young. It wasn’t that hard for me, and it hasn’t been that hard taking care of her.
But do you have pretty much no social time for yourself?
Yeah, but I don’t really have friends. I’ve kind of got associates and then one best friend. She’s got a son who’s two so we’ll hang out sometimes with our kids.
What are you going to do once you finish with high school?
My plans are basically just to watch my daughter grow. After I graduate out of high school I’m going to go to trade school or beauty school. Then I want to rent my own business place, somewhere where I can have my own space and set up my own beauty shop.
Have you cut a lot of hair?
Only on a mannequin so far, but I like doing makeup and hair: Braiding, relaxers, the Shirley Temple, the Twist…
What’s Latasha got right now?
Those are just low ponytails with twists. |
(l-r): L.A.M.B. shoes; Harajuku Lovers shirt, Lois jeans, House of Waris necklace; L.A.M.B. shoes
| Caren, 20, Raymond, 4, Starr, 2 |
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Vice: Do you still run with the same crew as before you were pregnant?
Caren: I’m still with the kids’ father. We get along. He helps out with them as much as he can, but it can be tough because he’s so young. One of my friends also had a baby so we have a lot in common. But my old best friend, we don’t see each other too much.
Why not?
Having kids is a lot of responsibility, and most of the places you want to go you can’t take your kids with you. I’m 20 and I’ve never been to a club or a bar. I just haven’t had that experience yet.
How’d your family deal with it when you first got pregnant?
My mother wasn’t so happy, but things happen. She was a teen mom herself so she understood. She was 17 when she had me.
So everything’s smooth right now?
I’m taking GED classes and I also work at a counseling center for teen moms and at a bakery.
What do you and your kids like to do when you get time together?
We go to the park or the Bronx Zoo. Raymond loves the monkeys. |
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