A Possession Obsession: Vena Cava (Part II)

We continue yesterday’s conversation with the other brilliant half behind New York’s fashion label, Vena Cava: Lisa Mayock. You can read more about how she and her designer soul mate gave birth to the award-winning brand six years ago in “Vena Cava Part I.”

Here, Lisa discusses her penchant for silly T-shirts, her most peaceful moment in the day, and how she and her mom share a love for a particular set of decorative dishware.

Tell us how you came to own this precious object.

“My heirloom consists of four ceramic hand-painted plates that my mom gave me. I think they’re Mexican, but I’m not sure where she found them. I love looking at them, even though they aren’t something I would ever buy for myself. My mom and I have fairly different taste when it comes to decorating. These plates are one of the few things that we both adore.

They were mounted on my kitchen wall growing up. I remember noticing them, but never really looking at or appreciating them the way I do now. They were simply ‘part of the house.’ When my parents moved out of that house after I had graduated from college, there were subtle rings on the walls where the plates had been, which made me feel very nostalgic. Those rings signified the way we had lived there and all the time that had passed.”

How do you live with your heirloom?

“These plates move around my house a lot. I actually just moved them this past weekend. Sometimes they have plants on top of them. Sometimes they are the centerpiece of my kitchen table. Currently, the two tiny ones are on either side of my bed to hold jewelry before I fall asleep.”

Who in your life has most influenced your personal style and taste?

“Growing up, it was definitely my best friend’s mom. As a kid, I didn’t really know anyone who was particularly into fashion or decorating or any of that, with the exception of my friend’s mom, who was a total aesthete. She had an incredible, flawless, shiny black bob, and wore these silk power suits and jewelry with really large stones. She very much had her own look, and I remember always being so excited to see what she had on that day.”

[Fill in the blank] Whenever I look at __”stupid T-shirts” I can’t help but smile.

“I have a deep appreciation for stupid T-shirts. I hope that will be the heirloom I pass on to my kids. My dad had a great collection of silly T-shirts in the 1980′s and I think that’s where I get it from. I have a Beavis and Butthead tee that I love, and a few that are printed to look like doctor’s scrubs or a tuxedo. Wearing them reminds me that I don’t need to be so serious all the time. And especially not about clothes–they’re supposed to be fun!”

What’s the best part of your day?

“I’m most satisfied with the first 10 minutes of each day, when I’m still in bed and right before the alarm goes off. I can just lie there and not have to think about anything yet. That’s probably the only part of my day that’s totally quiet. Which reminds me, I need to go buy some noise cancelling headphones.”

What was the most memorable gift you’ve ever given or received?

“I got a post-it note this year on my birthday from my friend Mimi. She handed it to me kind of crumpled and told me it was my birthday present. It said ‘a ticket to go to Guatemala or Mexico with Mimi.’ She told me she couldn’t figure out what to get me for my birthday. There were a few things she knew I would like, but really she just wanted to spend time with me. It was the most heartfelt gesture.”

What was your last purchase that you believe (or hope) will mean something to you 10 years from now?

“I took a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico last year with my mom. There were markets in the middle of the city that are gigantic. Each one was covered by a tin roof that looked like it could be part of an airplane hangar. We found a tiny cart that sold the most incredible silver pieces. Silver carts are a dime a dozen there, but this one had the most beautiful rings. They looked like 1970′s modernist jewelry. I bought a large men’s ring and had it sized to my finger. It covers most of my middle finger and I never take it off. It reminds me so much of that trip and being with my mom. This ring is very valuable to me.”

Tell us whose heirloom you’d like to read about next: editors@thefineartoffamily.com