FLM
FLM
Fete Lifestyle Magazine
Publisher's Note
There’s an old saying that behind every great man is a great woman. And I do believe that the people who shape us often do so quietly, through the smallest moments that leave the deepest impressions.
For me, it all starts with my mother.
My mom was many things: a nurturer, a creative spirit, a hostess with a unique taste, a talented seamstress, and a fashionista. Looking back, so much of who I am is rooted in her influence. Her warmth shaped the affectionate father I strive to be for my boys. Her creativity encouraged me to pursue my passions unapologetically and explore different paths throughout my life. And of course, her love for style sparked my own appreciation for individuality and self-expression.
My grandmothers added their own uniqueness that influenced my life.
Grandma Johnson—my mother’s mother—believed in the kind of hospitality that made her house feel magical. Staying overnight meant waking up to the smell of her famous cinnamon muffins baking in the kitchen. She also allowed me to sip on black coffee loaded with enough sugar to make any kid hyper.
Then there was Granny, my dad’s mom, whose cherry and apple trees filled her yard. There was rarely a time when something delicious wasn’t simmering on the stove or in her oven when we came by. I didn’t realize it then, but those moments planted seeds that would later blossom into my love of food, hospitality, and gathering people around the table.
Outside of family, there were women who saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself.
Mrs. McCloud, my first-grade teacher, sparked my love for football with memorable field trips to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Mrs. Green, my second-grade teacher, poured confidence into me early, often telling my parents that I could do anything I set my mind to. Those words stayed with me, even now. Both women became early champions in my life, continuing to cheer me on through high school and college.
And then there’s my sister—my protector, and one of my constants. She has always looked out for her baby brother, but since losing our mother several years ago, that bond has only deepened. We lean on each other differently now, connected not only by family but by shared grief, love, and resilience.
Beyond them are the many aunts, cousins, mentors, friends, and remarkable women who have all contributed to the person I am today. Sometimes it takes difficult seasons to remind us just how many people have been quietly standing in our corner all along.
This May, as we celebrate the women shaping culture, business, style, wellness, and community in these pages, I’m reminded that my own life has been immeasurably shaped by extraordinary women whose influence can be found in nearly everything I do.
This issue is dedicated to them.
With gratitude,
D.C.
Shaped by Her
On the Cover: Mar Soraparu
Wardrobe: Janet Mandell
Makeup: Rabecca Ann
Photograohy: James Gustin
On Location: Chicago, IL