Flaired up

Manpriya Singh

Britain has already lost its mind over the second Royal Baby and proudly so. If there’s one thing that The Duchess of Cambridge might have had enough of, it is the paparazzi. Almost keeping tabs on her pregnancy hormones too. Animal print today? Feeling feisty, is she? Floral means she’s like a flower child. Spotted in pink? Could it be a girl this time? As an underlying thought, it brings to the fore the significance of maternity fashion. It is getting risky and interesting by the day. Before we know, the fashion police is already judging the Oscar night’s best baby bumps.

Safe and sound

Last month, during a visit to an art gallery in Kent, England, Kate Middleton topped off her baby bump with a Dalmatian print Hobbs coat. A recycled look by the Duchess (she wore the same coat while expecting Prince George in 2013) didn’t disappoint.

To say that maternity fashion has come of age is to say that women are now getting out of homes and making a mark. Yawn! Labels, new and interesting, are foraying into a segment yet to become a market. There are nursing wear and must-have kits for each trimester. Some are looking at blend of fashion, comfort and even safety.

“When we specifically talk of India, this is a niche market but the one set to grow by the day. Maternity wear has only now given way to maternity fashion,” shares Nehal Mehta, having launched House of Napius earlier this year.

A brand committed to stylish yet radiation-safe maternity wear in India. “We knew of this technology, fabrics that absorb most of the harmful radiations and thought of extending it to wearable fabrics. Since reports suggest that there are miscarriages happening or children being born with defects due to harmful rays, it only made it imperative to launch radiation-safe maternity wear. Our motto is to combine style with safety and comfort and since women are aware and paying attention, then why not?” Paying attention they are. And like never before.

Strategic flow

Things wouldn’t be the same if we spotted the celebs in cotton nighties. Happily we don’t. Kiera Knightley pleased one and all in a white Valentino dress at the red carpet for Oscars 2015. The gown with countless layers of tulle, embroidered with flowers and hard to read French phrases, not just rendered a bohemian princess look but strategically hid the bump. Sophie Hunter or Mrs Benedict Cumberbatch donned a risky red dress, with a waist high split that was fastened together with safety pins. Unusual and exciting! Shares Delhi-based Anu Mishra, who runs the label, Thirty Six, “Women come to me for replicas with downloaded images of celebrities during their last trimester. We have access to what Kate Middleton wears and what Kim Kardashian wore during her heavy days. All that have changed things immensely.”

It is not often that a burgeoning belly calls for celebration. The once in a lifetime that it does, things better be in flair. Or flare!

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