Jodi Trivax wears a pink mini voile skirt by
Olian, S55, paired with a black tank top with
pink ribbon siding by Childish Clothing, S54.

traveled to New York,
Chicago and other cities to
get a feel for the latest fash-
ions and quickly learned it's a
whole new world.
"Truthfully, there was noth-
ing when I had children,"
Annie Cohen said. "We went to
department stores and every-
thing was a tent. Today, the
girls want things that are more
form fitting, things they would
wear when they're not preg-
nant."
Carrie Doelle, 29, of
Birmingham agreed. "The time
I feel my best or look my best
is when I'm most comfortable,"
she said.
How and when did maternity
clothes become so hip and
trendy? Cohen thinks it happened over
the last few years with A-list celebrities
like Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate
Hudson having babies.
"They wanted to look hot and sexy
the way they do all the time, and I think
a lot of designers caught on," Cohen
said. Now, labels like Michael Stars, Earl
Jeans, Citizens of Humanity and Diane
von Furstenberg are among those with
maternity lines and the list is growing.
"Every day, I get a call from a new
company that is now doing maternity,"
Cohen said. Prices range from $36 for
tank tops to the $300s for suits and
dresses.
Melissa Oleshansky, 31, of West
Bloomfield loves the clothes so much
she'll miss wearing them once she has
her baby. "The store has all my money
because they cater to different sizes
and to people who like to be in style,"
she said.
For Emily, owning the store is a
dream come true. She says it's some-
thing she has always wanted. When
she's not dealing directly with cus-
tomers, she spends time meeting with
maternity clothing reps and attending
gift, fashion and accessories shows
looking for the latest items. The store
also sells fancy diaper bags, jewelry,
baby gifts and books.
Right now, Bella Belli is .Cohen's
"baby." The store celebrated its first
birthday a few months ago. In the
future, Cohen hopes to decorate the
store with pictures of all the "Bella
babies" whose moms she helped "shop
`61 they popped." ❑

Melissa Oleshansky wears a hot pink "Tickled
Pink" t-shirt by 2 Chix, S38, with blue jeans
with side buttons by Childish Clothing, S106.

Carrie Doelle, 29, we
g a light
and brown floral
dress by Olian, $108. J
Trivax, 27,vaaring a pink printed
short-sleeve slik blous
h camisole by Diane von
Furstenberg, $185, and Mate Capri pants by Duet,_$58.

T-shirt by Samson Martin, S42.

Above: A popular gift for the "big sis"
"big bro" in the family. Kit includes T.
shirt, crayons, a toy and a welcome-
home card for the child to make for th
new baby, S37.

Left: Floral print diaper bag by
Fleurville, S150.

JNPLATINUM •

JULY 2005 •

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