The Family Way
Mother-to be can get set for a stylish future, finds Belinda Fisher
Seeing that Blue line on the pregnancy test kit is one of those life changing moments, where a woman’s future takes a sharp turn, with no going back. With a completely new life ahead, expectant mums usually have a lot of questions. But when the zip on the jeans stops short or the shirt buttons enthusiastically pop open during an important meeting, the main question that needs answering is ‘what to wear?’
East Dulwich resident and mother-of-one Michelle Williams claims to have the answer. Michelle and her colleague Katie Sowrey of styling agency pinkgreen have designed a nine-month makeover package to assist expecting and new mums in navigating the murky waters of maternity clothes, baby equipment and surviving pregnancy with style.
Michelle has a background in fashion, having worked in theatre costume departments and as a personal shopper at Selfridges. Katie (who is currently pregnant herself) hails from an advertising and interiors background. The two met when studying when studying interior design at Chelsea College of Art. Having worked on numerous projects together they spotted a need for a service for busy people who wanted attractive interiors and a stylish appearance but were just too busy to make it happen. So the duo set up pinkgreen offering bespoke personal styling for fashion and interiors. Services range from wardrobe edit for men and women to a house help session aimed at improving the selling potential of a property.
So what is a pinkgreen nine-month makeover? “The initial consultation usually takes an hour to an hour and a half and we run through with the client how they dressed before they were pregnant and how they feel they want to dress during their pregnancy,” says Michelle.
After the consultation the pinkgreen ladies spend a day with the client shopping for clothes, ensuring they are buying pieces that will work specifically for them. This is part of a basic package which starts at a cool £400. If the exterior isn’t the priority then pinkgreen can dish out the expert advice on how to transform that study into the ideal nursery without spending a fortune. The world of baby equipment is a potential confusing and expensive one, and instead of spending hours researching, pinkgreen can swoop in and take the thinking out of it for you.
Perhaps most crucially, pinkgreen will hold a new mum’s hand through a post-baby shopping trip. “This is mainly to treat the new mum to clothing once she is starting to regain her figure and also how to dress to disguise any post-baby bulges,” explains Michelle. The post pregnancy shop can be at any time after the birth, with advice tailored accordingly. Most of the time the mums can’t resist buying a little treat for their new born too!
Pinkgreens top five baby buys
+ Moses basket
+ Sheepskin for the buggy
+ Baby sleeping bag
+ Organic baby lotions
+ Soft blanket to swaddle the newborn
And top five maternity must-haves
+ Good pair of well fitting jeans or trousers
+ Bandeau belt to underline the bump
+ High tying wrap dress for any occasion
+ Snuggly pair of sheepskin slippers
+ Long cardigan to cover up and feel cosy
Living South
