Embrace Your Baby Bump

The other day my pregnant friend was asking me my thoughts on the “hide it” or “flaunt it” philosophy to dressing while with child. I say, definitely flaunt it! Opt for stretchy clothes with body-con fits that accommodate an expanding belly. I love when women embrace their baby bump.

The breezy Isabel Marant skirt, with its elastic-waistband, is ideal to accommodate your growing tummy and the peasant paisley-print stretch jersey top will expand right along with it. J Brand has recently designed a maternity line of jeans/leggings. They’ve added soft elastic panels on each side of the waistband for room to grow with each passing month. Also, a higher back rise was added for extra comfort. Try pairing them with a deconstructed tee – Raquel Allegra’s Jersey Tee is perfect- you can do a half tuck while you’re in your early months, and it has room to grow with you in your later months. To show off that delicious baby bump American Apparel’s body-conscious striped dress (in stretch jersey) is perfect and you’ll be able to wear it after the baby’s born too.

You can be extra good to your mom-to-be friends, and let the dad in on the perfect gift for the soon-to-be mom – Monica Rich Kosann baby feet 18K gold charm with diamonds. On the flip side are raised beads and engraving for name, date of birth, weight and height. She’ll cherish it forever!!

Clockwise from top left: Isabel Marant Paisley-print Stretch Jersey Top $855.00 www.netaporter.com, Isabel Marant Paisley-print Sillk-guaze Skirt $845.00 www.netaporter.com, Raquel Allegra Deconstucted Jersey Tee $152.00 www.lagarconne.com, American Apparel Body-Conscious Striped Dress $61.09 www.asos.com, Monica Rich Kosann Baby Feet 18K Gold Charm $2,900.00 www.shop.mrkstyle.com, J Brand Maternity Legging $196.00 www.jbrandjeans.com.

LA Fashion Week 2011-Alternative Apparel Runway Show

LA Fashion Week has kicked off and many designers have begun presenting their new collections for Fall/Winter 2011. LA Fashion Week is much less formal than New York, Paris and Milan; focusing more on small designers and the Southern California lifestyle. 

Alternative Apparel presented their Fall/Winter 2011 runway show at the PaliHouse in West Hollywood on March 15th. Alternative Apparel, who is well-known for organic cotton basics has expanded their designs considerably for the upcoming season. The runway show presented a complete collection that could easily compete with much bigger designers-expanding from the basics into more complex designs including outerwear, pants, dresses and handbags.   

The collection can be described as urban and hip as well as sophisticated and chic. The colors were muted and neutral, while models wore ankle-length combat boots to add even more strength to a strong vibe.  Prints such as camouflage, bohemian gauze, chambray, and plaid were mixed and matched to push the limits of conventional “matching” over the edge. 

Who do we have to thank for Alternative’s creative resurrection? Their new head designer, Lissa Zwahlen- who adores high fashion but understands that it isn’t reasonable for the average Joe and has a knack for designing clothes for “everyday life”. She draws inspiration from high fashion and then focuses on making her garments more comfortable and utilitarian. According to Zwahlen, “it’s all about enhancing the garment through details, color and fabric to make it special, but not intimidating.”

Watch out American Apparel…we have a feeling this is going to be a great year for Zwahlen and Alternative Apparel.