ECONOMY
HERE AND NOW
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Belli Style
New local boutiques, businesses
and brands you may not know
— but should.
When its your special day, do it your way.
By Lynne Konstantin
wenty-one years ago,
Elizabeth Fielder's ma-
ternity wardrobe con-
sisted of one pair of baggy,
olive-brown corduroy
pants, a brightly colored
sweat suit and, she says, "a
hideous black-and-white
vinyl diaper bag."
Fortunately, she and her
cousin, Emily Rosenberg,
have saved future genera-
tions of pregnant women
from a similarly tragic
fashion fate.
In 2003, Rosenberg's
friends were experiencing a
baby boom, and all com-
miserated over the lack of
cool and stylish maternity
options in the area."' real-
ized this would be my fate
when my time came," says
Rosenberg,"so I decided to
do something about it."
Turning to her mother, Annie
Cohen, former owner of the Royal
Oak shop Truly Gifted, for advice,
she traveled the country, attending
gift shows, baby shows and mater-
nity shows to find the newest, most
unique, hip, can't-live-without-it
products and apparel.
Now an expert, Rosenberg
opened Bella Belli Maternity nine
years ago in downtown Birming-
ham to eagerly welcoming arms
(and bellies). Thriving enough to
move to a larger location down the
street just two years later, Fielder
joined Rosenberg as co-owner at
the boutique, bringing her years of
advertising experience with her.
Now raising her three young chil-
dren, Rosenberg has taken a step
back from daily operations, but
still lends Fielder a hand in hunting
down new customer favorites.
"The maternity styles today are
much more in keeping with current
fashion trends,"says Fielder, who
works hard to find the best of the
best and a selection of pieces that
really work for the growing belly, in-
cluding clothing brands Olian, Japa-
nese Weekend, Lilac (shown here),
Citizens of Humanity and more.
Customers are big fans of Ingrid
and Isabel belly leggings and
Michael Stars maternity tees, and,
Fielder says, "Our customers swear
by the Belly Bandit," "a compres-
T
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NEW CABINETRY
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38 January 20131
RtD1111CIID
CUSTOM CABINETRY
sion band worn
after delivery
— and created
by Michigan na-
tives, sisters Jodi,
Lori and Kari
Caden.
Now the store
is expanding
into accesso-
ries, the store
offers diaper
bags, books, skin care, and gifts for
moms and babies, as well as layette
and baby clothing from names like
Appaman (co-owned by former
Michigander Lynn Husum), Charlie
Rocket and Pixie Lily.
The work that the owners put
into making their shop stand out
speaks of the pride they take in
customer service. "That's the most
important thing to us," says Fielder,
who has created a relaxed vibe in
the shop with Rosenberg. "I love
being able to change someone's
opinion about maternity clothes,
and for them to see they can look
and feel great throughout their
pregnancy."
But the best part? Says Fielder,
"When customers come back and
show us their babies!"
Bella Belli, Birmingham (800-MI-BELLI or
248-203-2220; bellabellimatemity.com).
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