The Joy of Haute Mommie
Meet Leslie Antonoff, fashion life-style blogger, cooking show chef-extraordinaire at Brown and Butter, a community leader of Loud community (a membership based community + network of womxn and non-binary folx committed to creating a world we want to see), and the creator of Sweet Knowledge Clothing, a collegiate apparel brand for graduates of historically black colleges and universities to show their HBCU pride.
Mo: Welcome Leslie! Having conversations with you on my table many times, I was always fascinated with the many things you are doing on a regular basis. You are the epitome of a Renaissance woman. Tell us a little about how Haute Mommie came to be?
Leslie: In 2009 I joined Twitter and I wanted to pick a handle that really encompassed who I wanted to be. It seemed that simple but it was really something that was meant to be because it took on a life of its own. Haute obviously is a nod to fashion and my love of that. During college, at Howard University, I really became obsessed with the industry and the makings of it. Plus it’s when I would say I started finally honing my personal style too. Mommie is pretty clear, I’m a mom of three. Three tiny princesses that I’m raising to be smart, thoughtful, socially minded queens. It's important to me that they know who they are early in life so when they get out in the world they aren’t shaken by it. From there I knew that Hautemommie was more than just a handle, it became the base for a lifestyle. Black women are rarely given the space to be fabulous, luxurious, bold, expensive and be loved boldly, everything about what I want to exude and be is about showing Black women in that light.
M: A true multi-faceted entrepreneur, can you tell us about some of the things you're running and involved with such as Loud Community?
L: I started my first business when I was 8. Purely out of wanting money to buy snacks haha. At that point I was really bitten by the bug of entrepreneurship and I’ve been involved in or starting businesses since. Currently I’m the owner and creator behind - Sweet Knowledge Clothing Company, my brand & blog, The Hautemommie, a web series, Let LESLIE Tell It, and television show Butter + BROWN. I’ve got a few more projects in the pipeline that I’m really excited about. Loud Community is the brainchild of my good friend Veronica Tolentino, I’m honored to serve as president of the advisory board. It’s a community focused on giving access and resources. We use self discovery and authentic relationships as tools for building community. Ultimately Strong, conscious communities hold the power to create positive change and influence. It’s a mission I stand proudly behind.
M: Amazing, I know I have a couple other clients that's part of Loud, and it's a really great community with great topics of discussion. How have you been navigating through both a time of a pandemic and the recent events around racism?
L: To be honest, racism isn’t new for me. I’m Black in America this is something I’ve been enduring my entire life. Multiplying that with trying to deal with and navigate a global pandemic is certainly a doozy, but nothing that I am not set on conquering. I’ve been using this time to pray to keep myself strong and grounded, spending time with my family, doing small home renovations, and working...a lot. Haha it’s what I do. Dive in and keep my head down. An affirmation a group of my friends have been repeating is, “prosperity in the pandemic,” it has been serving as a way to keep us focused. 2020 is still my year!
M: I love that, and I think that's what's been so great about you Leslie. Always finding the goodness and abundance, even in some difficult of times for some people. Any thoughts on how these protests are different from what came before, and why do you think they are so different this time?
L: I read an article that talked about how unrest happens every 50 years because the generation that is in the beginning of adulthood is tired of the ways of the older generation. That is indicative of what we’re seeing now. We’re tired of the status quo. It’s time for an uprising. I think what makes this time different is that we’re even more equipped as a generation with knowledge combined with a desire for difference. We’re not afraid of things looking different in a better way. But don’t be fooled, the protests of the civil rights era were powerful, they caused great change and disruption. The violence that happened then is similar to the kind we are still seeing - at the hands of police. And just like that generation, we aren’t going to stop until we see laws changed and action taken.
M: You shared a great video on your IG on how we can be better allies on an on-going basis. There's many resources available out there on how we can all unlearn systematic racism. This time especially requires us to do our own work in being active and having these necessary conversations. With that being said, are there any additional words and resources that you'd like to share around that?
L: Be open to the fact that everything you may have learned in your home was likely not in an effort to be actively anti-racist. You may have never discussed what racism really looks like and that you or your families are likely complicit in some way. That’s a hard pill to swallow. I know. But something I always say is, “on the other side of discomfort is freedom.” Continue to unearth the deeply rooted thoughts, feelings, and pains until you start to see your psyche shift. It’s not about being a “good” or “bad” person, it’s about recognizing that the world around you has aided in maintaining racist systems - you’re a product of it. It first requires acknowledging that and then moving forward.
M: Absolutely. We know everything is still on hold with the virus but what can we look forward to next from you? :)
L: I can say I’ll be on your television soon! 😉 And bookshelves!
M: Epic news! I am so looking forward to that. What are some self-care things that you do to replenish yourself from daily life?
L: Getting dressed is huge for me, for the first few weeks I wasn’t really doing it and I felt like shit. Hahaha. Now getting dressed, throwing on a little eyebrow even if it is sans lashes (😩😩😢😢) I feel more like myself. Also daily matcha and a walk or HIIT home workout have been amazing.
M: And what's the service you're most excited to get at Mobetta Beauty once things open back up? ;)
L: My bad bitch appointments!! How I miss them, hahaha. I can’t wait to get my lashes done, but I also want to get a facial. It's something I was ready to incorporate into my beauty regimen and I can’t wait to get one.
