Pregnant women find comfort in new line
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Elena Anchita wears a nursing top from Maria Plourde's new line.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser First Hawaiian Bank's Made in Hawaii Festival A wide array of made-in-Hawaiëi merchandise from 400 exhibitors representing Oëahu, Kaua'i, Maui, Moloka'i and the Big Island Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Blaisdell Arena (new location, expanded from the Exhibition Hall) Admission: $2 |
As a fashion design graduate from the the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Plourde had the skills and knowledge to fill the niche. But what was needed? During her preliminary research she discovered that women were happy to be pregnant but they weren't happy about their shapes and bodies and how they looked, she said. "I want my clothes to be a vehicle to make pregnant and nursing women feel better about themselves."
Plourde decided to do some research, contacting the Breast Feeding Promotion Council of Hawaii and the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program and taking into account her husband Elliot's experience as a social worker at Child Protective Services. All these combined to give her a picture of what pregnant and nursing mothers needed, and Mommies Only Club was born.
The line consists of dresses, blouses and two-piece ensembles made of cotton, machine-washable rayon and poly/cotton fabrics.
Design details reflect Plourde's research. She said women wanted sleeveless garments in soft, washable fabrics in Hawaiian or floral prints. For nursing mothers, there are blouses with slits on both sides of the bustline; others have front flap s that lift easily and buttons on the sides; still others have front buttons or ties. So far, Plourde has designed more than 120 styles. She does all the designing, cutting and sewing herself. Among her most popular items is a drape she created for WIC. It's in a Hawaiian print and buttons at the neck. It can be put on over any garment for privacy when nursing in public.
Sizes range from S to XXL. Prices range from $28 for blouses to $45-50 for dresses and $35-42 for nursing tops. Mommies Only Club will be an exhibitor at the Made in Hawaii festival next weekend,and the line will be featured in a fashion show at 4:15 p.m. Saturday For more information, call Plourde at 536-9835.
