With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, we asked some of our favorite designers to share their fondest memories of their Moms. As a bonus to our four- part series, each designer will have a giveaway on their Twitter and Facebook pages. Today we are featuring handbag designer Joanna Maxham. Follow her on Twitter, and re-tweet the post about the giveaway, including at least five people for the chance to win an Art Deco clutch. Increase your chances of winning by ”liking” Maxham on Facebook. The winner will be announced on Monday, May 9.

Read on for how her mother inspired her and what she learned from her Mom.

SF: How has your mother inspired you as a person?
JM: Her sense of humor, great energy and ability to admit to her own mistakes, are all great inspiration. My Mom is beautiful, funny, extremely smart…and very human.

SF: What is your fondest memory of your mother new or old?
JM: It’s definitely the sense of security when she took me in her arms or cuddled with me before bedtime. Nothing else mattered.

SF: What is or was your mother’s style staple?
JM: Pixie cut in the 60s, bell-bottoms and large sunglasses in the 70s, a perm in the 80s – my Mom had it all! Not easy when you are “on the other side of the Wall*” with an occasional “BURDA Mode” as the only source of inspiration.

SF: What do you value the most about your mother as her own woman not related to you as a mother figure?
JM: My Mom – the professor of sociology – achieved international respect and full tenure at the University. Her passion for her work and incredible work ethic is helping me stay focused on my own goals and believe that with hard work anything is possible.

SF: What was your mother’s best style tip she ever gave you?
JM: My Grandmother – used to say she was “too poor to buy bad quality clothes“. She did not own much – but everything she had was of impeccable style and quality. My Mom thought of me to appreciate acessories – handbags & jewelery that can change and update your outfit and really reflect your personality.

*[reference to The Berlin Wall during Cold War]

Joanna's Mom in the '60s