Fashion and Celebrity Stylist – Annabel started her career in television and stage design before moving into fashion styling. She worked as Style Director of a national newspaper for 15 years and now primarily styles celebrity clients. She has 2 (soon to be 3) children. She runs through a few mother and baby treats that have taken her fancy.
Find me on twitter @akermanstylist
Only ten days off my due date and my thoughts are turning away from clothes. It gets to a point when the bump becomes less of a neat and stylishly clad fashion statement and more of an independent being with a mind of its own, knocking things over, getting stuck in doorways, you get the idea. At this stage minimising the impact and going dark and tight is really the only way forward when it comes to getting dressed.
So, where does that leave a fashion stylist? Refreshingly free to turn my attentions to lovely things like beauty products and baby treats. (And maybe a few post birth fashion essentials like stylish nursing underwear and chic feeding cover ups)
Here’s some of my current favourite things, also beloved of celebrities, that I hope will make my first days as a third time mum just that little bit easier.
Stylish Muslins
Australian label Aden + Anais has cornered the market in gorgeous muslins that can be used as anything from swaddling blankets to buggy covers. Their extra large size makes them feel that little bit more luxurious than your average muslin plus they come in gorgeous modern prints, including this star print I currently have my eye on. The label also features baby sleep bags made of layered muslin fabric, which I’m coveting in cool charcoal grey.
Celebrity fans: Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts
Sexy Nursing Undies
There’s nothing more soul destroying than swapping Agent Provocateur for a sensible nursing bra, so I was delighted to discover that nursing underwear has taken a big leap forward in the style stakes, and is now positively glamorous. I love the range that Seraphine stocks: practical enough for nursing but sexy enough for us to feel we haven’t totally lost ‘it’.
Celebrity fans: The Kardashians, Denise Van Outen
Ren Moroccan Rose Products
Throughout my pregnancies I have tried pretty much everything on the market aimed at keeping expectant mums stretch mark free, but Ren Moroccan Rose products have got to be my most successful find: Super moisturising and gorgeous smelling, plus free from any nasties you wouldn’t want to be feeding your skin when pregnant. I use the body oil at night and the cream for day, which I will continue once I’ve had the baby.
Celebrity fans: Victoria Beckham
Cover All Wrap
An essential for those planning on breast feeding, I have been wearing the Seraphine cotton leopard print scarf to disguise my bump and will continue to wear it to feed my new baby discreetly. However Seraphine also sell a beautiful pashmina feeding wrap that has specially designed poppers to make it less likely to slip off mid feed. Plus being made from bamboo fibres it is hypoallergenic and regulates baby’s temperature.
Celebrity fans: Jessica Alba, Lily Allen
Extra Special Baby Bottles
Feeding bottles are usually a necessity rather than a treat, but my discovery of stylish American bottle brand Born Free has changed all that. Last time around I was coveting their heavy glass bottles that had an old school vibe I love. More recently they have brought out new retro ‘deco’ designs in lighter weight BPA free plastic that are on my current baby wish list.
Celebrity fans: Leah Wood, Matthew McConaughey
Chic Baby Bouncer
Baby ‘kit’ can start to wear thin with a third child, however uber chic Dutch baby label Nuna has renewed my interest. This LEAF chair starts as a baby bouncer, or side to side rocker (hence the name) with toy bar, and graduates to hold a hefty 80 kilos so will be useful in years to come for all my children. Plus it helps that it’s super stylish and comes in 9 gorgeous colours.
Celebrity fans: Tess Daly, Miranda Kerr
