Tell us about yourself and your life?
My name is Rejane, I’m 56 years old, I’m from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Most of the time, I’m a happy person, communicative, curious about all kinds of art, especially fashion. I love colors, and I used to dress peculiarly when I was young, making many unusual combinations. The arrival of menopause changed that a little; I became less energetic and calmer. It also caused me to reframe my way of dressing; I dress more basic these days, comfortable and sober colors.
My life changed a lot in the past few years and is full of challenges right now. Ever since I decided to immigrate at the age of 54, it’s been like being born again.
Tell us about your career?
I was never a methodical person, so my career was not linear; I did many things in life, from working with fashion, being a salesperson, and having my own store. I tried to adapt and became a kindergarten teacher at a certain point. It was a very enriching and rewarding period working with children. Still, it wasn’t my true vocation; my true heart lies in fashion.
How does a Brazilian woman end up in Eindhoven?
I always liked traveling, seeing new places. In the 80s, I dreamed of living in London; in the 90s, I studied English for a period in San Diego, California. I always had that inside me, the feeling of not belonging anywhere. I got married late; at age 51, my husband works in technology, and we moved to the Netherlands for better job opportunities. It was a dream of both of us coming true.
Can you tell us about motherhood?
I was very young when I became a mother, I was 19 years old, and I wasn’t prepared for motherhood. I experienced it as very scary to become a mother. My mother played an essential role in this story; she helped me with the baby a lot. She took care of my daughter, which allowed me to follow the life I had before motherhood. Many times people thought my daughter and I were sisters. It was not easy; there were a lot of conflicts. Nowadays, I’m proud of her; she built a beautiful family of her own, and I have 2 grandchildren. My daughter and my mother are still very closely connected in Brazil.
