News and Media

Published: Apr 5, 2010

SAVANNAH, Ga.—Jeannette Montgomery Barron, author and photographer of "My Mother's Clothes" will launch her national book tour on April 13 at the Savannah College of Art and Design's Hall Street Gallery, 212 W. Hall St. The book honors the life of Eleanor Morgan Montgomery Atuk and her love of fashion. Atuk grew up in the Savannah area, went to the Pape School and spent afternoons in her father's store in Savannah.

The kickoff event will include a fashion and photography exhibition, on display April 9-27 at SCAD's Hall Street Gallery, and feature Barron's photographs and pieces from her mother's personal clothing collection. A reception and book signing will be held April 13, 5-7 p.m. Sales of framed photographs from the show will benefit SCAD scholarships.

Through her photos and narrative in "My Mother's Clothes," to be released this spring, Barron chronicles the important role her mother's devotion to designer fashion played in preserving a link to her memories even as she descended into the confusion of Alzheimer's. For five years, author Barron witnessed her mother's suffering. As they struggled for common ground, she found this unique way to spark her mother's memory and cope with her own sense of loss. Through this journey of self-discovery, Barron attempted to create a portrait of her late mother through still life images of her cherished clothing, shoes and personal possessions. The tour will also feature a fashion show in the other select cities, a book signing, and additional lectures by the author.
 
"With its emotional link to fashion, women who love clothing will love this book," according to Lena Tabori, CEO of Welcome Enterprises, the book's publisher. The book also reflects how mothers and daughters often connect through their sense of style, making this captivating memoir a moving Mother's Day gift. Working with the Alzheimer's Association in six cities, the My Mother's Clothes book tour is intended to raise awareness about the disease. Barron's remarks will highlight the creativity "caretakers" use to cope with the challenges of looking after loved ones with memory loss. Barron's book shows how their efforts to preserve the dazzling memories can enrich caregiver and care recipient alike.

My Mother's Clothes

"My Mother's Clothes," photographer and author Jeannette Montgomery Barron's inspiring and true story about the connection between fashion and memory, will go on sale May 2010. Part fashion diary, part personal memoir, part loving memory, and part life celebration, "My Mother's Clothes" is a story that can be cherished by those grieving the loss of a loved one, and especially by fashion lovers and photography fans.

The book features an introduction by Patrick Kinmouth, former arts editor at British Vogue, and a preface by private art dealer and New York Times bestselling author, James D. Barron, who is married to Jeannette. Learn more about the tour and "My Mother's Clothes" ($24.95, Welcome Books, ISBN 978-1-59962-077-0).