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Connect the Dots: Rock Polka Dot Maternity Clothes this Spring

The Seraphine style spotters have connected all the dots to pinpoint the hottest new trend to work into your maternity clothes this season; and it turns out, the fashion elite have gone totally dotty for polka dots! We’re seeing spots everywhere from top designer runways to celebrity red carpet looks, edgy street style blogs and the hottest maternity fashions. This timeless repeating pattern is the perfect way to flatter your pregnancy curves – the sun is out and now is the time to rock those dots!

Polka dots are one of those trends that come back year after year – a true timeless classic. But this season they’ve really come into their own, with fashion houses from Lela Rose to Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana making style statements with spots in their SS15 catwalk collections. And the dotty situation is much the same at Seraphine: Check out our Grey Polka Dot Maternity Cardigan, Polka Dot Maternity Blouse, Polka Dot Cropped Maternity Trousers and a whole host of stylish polka dot maternity dresses and you’ll see what we mean!

And it’s not just us feeling the love for polka dots; some of the most stylish expectant celebs have been showcasing their new curves in spotted ensembles. Back in the Autumn Keira Knightly rocked a number of dotty dresses including a stunning Dolce & Gabbana style, which she wore on the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Duchess of Cambridge is another stylish mum with a known penchant for polka dots, and has been spotted (pun definitely intended) rocking polka dots through both of her pregnancies, wearing our Polka Dot Mock Wrap Maternity Dress towards the end of her first. New mum & Canadian model Coco Rocha looked stunning in our Silk Chiffon Polka Dot Dress during New York Fashion Week. And while we haven’t seen New Girl star Zooey Deschanel rocking any polka dot maternity dresses just yet, we’d be prepared to bet that it won’t be too long before we do – polka dots are one of the expectant actress’ signature styles!

Stock up on polka dot maternity clothes now & rock the hottest dottiest trend this spring!

Celebrate Your Curves – Maternity Clothes on Screen

The pregnant body is amazing – creative, life giving and utterly beautiful. It’s something to be celebrated with gorgeous maternity clothes, not covered up & hidden.

This week the chief weather presenter on US TV show Global BC News, Kristi Gordon spoke up about the hate mail she’s received through both of her pregnancies from people criticizing her maternity fashion choices.

Kristi explains the situation

Kristi is a successful, confident & beautiful woman, who dresses her bump in style… and we’re not the only ones who think so! Since she exposed the haters on air, support has been streaming in for Kristi, praising her bravery for speaking out & her beautiful baby bump – her twitter feed is crowded with encouraging messages from friends, strangers, fellow TV presenters and expectant mamas everywhere.

It’s not always easy dressing a bump at the best of times, but when your job is to appear live on TV every day, your style & choice of maternity clothes are put in the spotlight whether you want it or not. Here at Seraphine, our passion is to produce beautiful maternity clothes to help you look great and feel confident throughout your nine months, and it has been our privilege to dress expectant TV personalities at home in the UK and internationally.

This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby & Good Morning Britain co-host Charlotte Hawkins both loved our Knot Front Maternity Dresses when they were expecting; Holly chose the turquoise one, while Charlotte’s favourite was the long sleeved version in claret red. Claire Sweeney loved our Emerald Green Maternity Maxi Dress, and BBC Look North presenter Nicola Rees wore one of our Blossom Knot Front Maternity Dresses live on air. In France, Anne-Claire Coudray, news reader on France’s biggest TV network TF1 wore our Knot Front Maternity Dress in royal blue. In Canada we love Breakfast TV presenter Carla Turner’s Seraphine style, and in the US, Good Morning America presenter Paula Faris loved the Fuchsia Knot Front Maternity Dress.

And it’s not just the TV presenters… celebs are getting in on the action too, with stars such as Carrie Underwood, Megan Hilty & Zoe Saldana choosing Seraphine maternity dresses for their TV appearances!

So celebrate your curves & be proud mamas! Your body is doing something truly astounding – you are creating a whole new person. What could be more beautiful than that? In the end, as long as your maternity clothes help you to feel comfortable & confident, that’s all the matters.

Behind the Scenes: Portia Freeman’s Bump Kit Shoot for Seraphine

Take a look behind the scenes at Seraphine’s latest photo shoot with expectant super model Portia Freeman! We had a great day in the studio snapping Portia in some of our best selling maternity clothes, in particular – the Bump Kit.

Portia arrived on set bright and early, and breezed straight into hair and make up. The atmosphere was fun & friendly, and Portia tucked into some mango slices (her most persistent pregnancy craving) while the hair stylist worked. Already mum to adorable 5 year old Dylan James, Portia is currently expecting her second baby with her partner, The Kooks bassist, Pete Denton. She chatted to the makeup artist, comparing this pregnancy with her first & confessing how much more relaxed she’s felt the second time around.

A photo posted by Portia Freeman (@portiaportiaaaa) on Mar 24, 2015 at 8:59am PDT

Portia was a natural in front of the camera – she began her modelling career at just 16 years old when fashion photography legend Mario Testino shot her for Vogue, and she’s since walked the catwalks for the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen! Portia worked fast and had a lot of fun on set, keeping the energy really high throughout and capturing some stunning images.

Afterwards Portia raved about the Bump Kit – she simply couldn’t believe how soft the leggings were, and how the little black maternity dress managed to make her feel comfortable yet sexy at the same time. The Bump Kit is our must-have style for an expectant mum – if you’re new to maternity clothes, this is the place to start. It includes 4 maternity essentials; a little black maternity dress, a white vest, a pair of black leggings, and a black bodycon skirt, and is designed to help you master the art of mix and match. Portia modelled our original Bump Kit, but there are plenty of options; the Bump Kit 2 features a wrap dress & the Bump Kit 3 comes with a soft pair of black maternity trousers instead of the skirt. Team the classic maternity staples together, or style them with key fashion pieces from your wardrobe & you’ll have endless stylish options to see you through your nine months.

Bump Kit Styling Inspiration From Top Model Zabeena

This is how Portia & Zabeena styled the bump kit – how will you style yours?

Celebrate in Style with 20% off Eco-Friendly Invites from Greenvelope

With a brand new baby on the way, you have so many reasons to celebrate! There are pregnancy announcements to send, maternity dresses for your baby shower to choose, gender reveals, birth announcements, baby’s first meet & greet and even the first birthday party to look forward to – and that’s only the first year!

With all of these party opportunities on the horizon, we think it’s high time you met Greenvelope – the coolest eco-friendly invites around. — read on for your exclusive discount code!

Greenvelope is a digital stationary company, offering a stylish eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper invitations. Their stunning paperless invites offer beautiful, fully customisable design options, along with convenient event-specific functionality, all delivered direct to your guests’ inbox – the perfect coupling of traditional design with contemporary delivery.

Guests will love the interactive visuals & easy RSVP function of these gorgeous digital invites, and you will have a clear conscience, safe in the knowledge that no trees were harmed in the sending of your mail!

Visit Greenvelope’s site to find out more, browse their range, and to see some sample invites.

And just because we love you, enjoy 20% off your first order with the code: seraphine

And don’t forget, once your party is planned, the guests are invited & the RSVPs are in; it’s time to choose your maternity party dress!

If you’re throwing a baby shower, you could even drop a hint about baby’s gender with one of our beautiful maternity dresses! Choose pink for a girl, blue for a boy, or keep them guessing with stylish a gender neutral option.

Bubbles, Baking & Retail Therapy: Relax this Easter Weekend

The bank holiday weekend is here mamas! With 4 fabulously free days to play with, we think the long Easter weekend is the perfect opportunity to put your feet up, and indulge in a bit of relaxing me time. Why not try your hand at some Easter baking, soak in a luxurious bubble bath, or treat yourself to some brand new maternity clothes… you’re pregnant – you deserve it!

To bake

A delicious springtime treat; nothing says happy Easter like the smell of freshly baked hot cross buns wafting through the house. Richly spiced dough tumbled through with plump juicy currents & plenty of zest; these buns are perfect for toasting, buttering & enjoying with a good book & a steamy pot of earl grey.

We love the look of this recipe from Thanh at Eat little bird.

To drink

And how about something sensational (and alcohol-free!) to toast the holiday… whether you’re entertaining or enjoying a quiet Easter at home, why not mix up a batch of fruity mocktails to spread a little sunshine! We can’t get enough of this raspberry peach ice tea from Chungah at Damn Delicious. Or for something with a little more zing, try this ginger lemonade from Annalise at Completely Delicious.

To relax

After all that culinary exertion, you’ll have earned a break. And every girl knows there’s no better way to relax than to lie back, indulge & soak in a beautifully scented bubble bath! Luckily, LUSH have got you covered with a fabulous new range of spring bath bombs, melts & bubble bars to add an effervescent touch of luxury to your soak.

To wear

How does a bit of well deserved retail therapy sound? Now’s the time to kick start your spring style with a few key maternity fashion pieces from the new season collection. A breezy new maternity dress is guaranteed to put a spring in your step, or what about a pair of our trendy new patterned maternity trousers with a cute white blouse.

And don’t forget to check out our spring sale for up to 40% off some of the hottest new season styles.

For the Kids

Make sure to plan some fun Easter themed activities to keep the little ones entertained over the weekend. An Easter egg hunt will be a big hit with kids of all ages, and if you’re feeling crafty why not have a go at making Easter bonnets. And of course you can’t go wrong in the kitchen with these no-bake chocolate cornflake crispie nests from the BBC good food site.

Super Model Coco Rocha’s Pregnancy Style in Seraphine

Huge congratulations are in order for Coco Rocha this week, who has welcomed her beautiful baby daughter Ioni James Conran into the world!

The stunning super model debuted her new daughter on Instagram, rocking our Black Maternity Down Jacket as she shared a kiss with her artist husband James Conran in this sweet family portrait.

A photo posted by Coco Rocha (@cocorocha) on Mar 30, 2015 at 11:59am PDT

And this isn’t the first time Coco’s styled it out in Seraphine maternity clothes! She has provided the perfect pregnancy fashion inspiration, rocking some seriously stylish Seraphine looks over the past nine months. Here are a few of our favourites…..

A photo posted by Coco Rocha (@cocorocha) on Jan 22, 2015 at 11:01am PST

This one taken near her home in New York State was one of the first ‘style the bump’ shots she took – She looks incredibly chic teaming our Black Maternity Shift Dress with a cool hat, biker boots, & a leather jacket.

A photo posted by Coco Rocha (@cocorocha) on Feb 19, 2015 at 4:37pm PST

Who needs a table?! Coco posted this fun shot during New York fashion week, looking gorgeous in our Silk Chiffon Polka Dot Maternity Dress, & using the bump as a handy place to balance her water.

A photo posted by Coco Rocha (@cocorocha) on Feb 26, 2015 at 1:34pm PST

Our black maternity shift dress was one of Coco’s favourite styles through pregnancy – here she recycles the style, this time pairing it with a jacket of her own design from her new Modern Princess Collection. Our essential little black dress is a real style winner & is loved by all the most fashionable celebrity mamas including Gwen Stefani & super model Doutzen Kroes!

A photo posted by Coco Rocha (@cocorocha) on Mar 8, 2015 at 8:53am PDT

This magical winter shot in our Graphic Maternity Dress has to be one of our favourite looks, It came just a few weeks before she was due to give birth, and we simply can’t get over how beautiful she is!

With a little help from some stylish Seraphine maternity clothes, Coco remained true to her signature style throughout her pregnancy, and has taken every opportunity to celebrate her amazing changing body.

And it looks like Baby Ioni, formerly known as #babyconran may be following in her photogenic mama’s footsteps – she is already making waves on Instagram with her own account @ioniconran, gaining over 20K followers in just 3 days!

Wishing mama & baby all the best for the exciting journey ahead!

We’ve Moved! Seraphine’s New Head Office in London’s West End

We’ve moved! As of last week, Seraphine has upped sticks and headed for the bright lights of London’s West End!

Our new head office & design studio on Berners Street in Fitzrovia W1 puts us right at the heart of one of the most vibrant fashion districts on the planet. Situated just off Oxford Street – London’s very own shopping Mecca – we are now part of an incredibly fashionable neighbourhood including Guess? Lipsy & Arcadia Group – the fashion giant in charge of Top Shop, Top Man, Miss Selfridge & Wallis to name but a few!

We’ve already been busy scoping out the best places for a luxury lunch break…

Seraphine is growing faster than ever, and our bright, airy new office offers plenty of space for our rapidly expanding team. We have some seriously exciting things in store for the future, and this office move marks the start of a whole new chapter of the Seraphine story. But don’t worry – you’ll still be able to shop the same stylish maternity clothes as before, just with a few more fashionable new locations to choose from…. Watch this space!

Sophie Hunter’s One of a Kind Valentino Maternity Wedding Dress Revealed

Sophie Hunter, the beautiful new Mrs Benedict Cumberbatch has finally revealed her stunning one-of-a-kind Valentino couture maternity wedding dress!

Until now, the couple have kept details of their private Valentine’s Day wedding on the Isle of Wight to themselves, but Sophie’s gown was simply too stunning not to share!

The show stopping couture gown with sheer long sleeves and a chic high neckline was designed by Sophie herself, with the help of Valentino designers Pierpaulo Piccioli & Maria Grazia Chuiri. The ethereal silver lace is woven through with pomegranates and vine leaves, and drapes in the perfect high-waisted a-line cut to hint at her early pregnancy.

When you’re married to Sherlock, you’re likely to spend a lot of time in the spotlight, and Sophie has adjusted to her new-found fame with true grace and poise. Now a little further on with her first pregnancy, we have loved watching Sophie’s maternity style develop. Directly after the wedding, the couple flew straight back to LA, where they walked the red carpets at award season, and Sophie looked effortlessly glamorous in our Silk Printed Maternity Maxi Dress!

Sophie is proof (as if any were needed) that a blossoming expectant bride can make a show stopping entrance on her wedding day – all it takes is the perfect maternity wedding dress! Luckily for those of us who may not be granted a private appointment at Valentino, there are plenty of stylish options out there. If you are tying the knot soon, why not channel Sophie’s empire-waisted silvery style in our Mist Grey Embellished Grecian Maternity Gown, or explore the rest of our stunning selection of maternity wedding dresses & gowns – you may just find “the one”!

Congratulations Sophie – you make a breathtaking bride!

Spring Sale: What’s Trending in SS15?

So what’s trending in SS15? With the new season comes a whole new world of fashion trends to try. And as we start to transition into spring, the styling prospects are looking up! Here’s our pick of some of the hottest SS15 trends, along with the essential Seraphine maternity clothes you’ll need to work them.

Check out our Spring Sale to find exclusive discounted prices on all the featured styles and more!

Denim Dresses

This spring it’s all about denim, double denim & even more denim! All the biggest fashion houses paired their designer jeans with denim shirts & jackets this season, & denim dresses, skirts & jumpsuits ruled the runways. Rock the trend this spring with one of our super cute denim maternity dresses.

Denim Dungaree Maternity Dress

Chambray Denim Maternity Skater Dress

Colour Blocks

As the days begin to brighten, it’s time to get colourful! A classic spring summer trend; colour blocks are coming back in a big way this season, and we have the perfect maternity dresses & tops to work the trend.

Blue & Black Colour Block Maternity Dress

Blue & Neon Maternity & Nursing Dress

Pink Contrast Trim Maternity Top

Nautical Style

We love a touch of nautical style in the springtime! A salty sea breeze swept the runways this season, with designers looking to the coast & traditional naval styles for inspiration. Pair classic Breton stripes with navy blues and gold detailing, and create the ultimate nautical look this season.

Nautical T-Shirt Maternity Dress

Sparkly Nautical Maternity & Nursing Top

Grey & Navy Striped Maternity & Nursing Top

Spring Knits

The sun may be getting stronger, but we’re not ready to give up our knitwear just yet… Luckily spring knits are all the rage right now. This trend is all about layering up your look with ultra soft jumpers & cardigans in beautiful spring shades.

Knitted Maternity & Nursing Tunic

Linen Striped Nursing Jumper

Raspberry Red Cropped Maternity Cardigan

Baby’s First: Bib, Booties, Bath Time & More with Budhi Budha!

Life with your new baby is full of firsts, and here we’ve gathered a few fantastic products from some of our favourite brands to help you make the most of them!

First Lunch time

Once you make the switch to solids, lunch time with baby can be a messy business – so keep clean & tidy with a pocket bib from Budhi Budha! The super soft bib is made in eco friendly fabric, & is nice and big to cover baby’s shoulders and lap (because babies get creative when it comes to spreading mashed banana in hard to reach places)! The bib slips easily over baby’s head, and then when lunch is over, it folds neatly away into a secret pocket at the back to keep the mess contained & your bag clean!

And it’s not just for baby – Budhi Budha make larger bibs for toddlers, & foldaway napkins for your older mucky pups too, as well as fun fashion accessories & even a stylish two-in-one back pack which transforms into a sleeping bag – perfect for sleepovers!

First Steps

Your baby’s first pair of proper booties will likely be the most adorable shoes you will ever own, so make sure you pick a good pair! We love the range from London based children’s footwear brand Papouelli – beautifully crafted in ultra supple leather; they offer luxurious & comfortable options for baby boys & girls.

First Bath time

Make bath time fun last even longer with a super cute hooded towel from Bathing Bunnies! With so much splashing, bubbles & fun to be had in the bath, these adorable animal towels extend the fun into the bedtime routine. Made in ultra soft terry towelling, these luxurious baby bath towels are extra soft & absorbent and fully machine washable. With so many cute animal designs to choose from, your little one could be a little duck, mouse, penguin or even a hippo baby!

First Teeth

Sophie the Giraffe has been best friend & teething buddy to countless babies over the years. This classic teething toy has been made in the same way using safe natural rubber & decorated with edible paint since it was first developed in France back in the 60’s – and babies still can’t get enough! The classic Sophie is easy to grip with plenty of interesting bits to chew, or you could opt for the Sophie teething ring which offers different textures to soothe sore gums.

First Day Out

Taking your baby on their first outing – whether it’s to the park, into town for lunch or even just to Grandma & Grandad’s house – is a big step to take. So make sure you’re fully prepared with everything you and baby might need neatly packed away in a stylish Baby Changing Bag! The right bag will help you to stay organised, in style & fully in control on your big trip out.

That’s A Wrap: Cecile Talks New Trends & Dressing the Duchess!

The 70’s are back in a big way for 2015, & here at Seraphine we are celebrating the return of the iconic wrap dress – a maternity fashion must-have!

Meanwhile, Seraphine founder Cecile has been talking to Popsugar about the biggest new trends in maternity fashion, and dressing the Duchess of Cambridge. Scroll down to watch the full interview!

The classic wrap dress first hit the fashion scene back in the early 70’s. Made in super soft stretch jersey; they’re designed to wrap around your waist and secure in a stylish bow at the back. Not only are they soft, stretchy & stylish, but they offer a completely flexible fit – you simply couldn’t find more flattering maternity dresses if you tried!

Now revamped & updated for the modern 21^st century mama, here’s our guide on how to work the trend & rock some of the most stylish maternity wrap dresses…

Printed

Chances are; when you think of a classic wrap dress, your mind’s eye will conjure up a striking design with a gorgeous printed pattern. Wrap dresses have always gone hand in hand with beautiful patterns, and this season we have some seriously stylish printed options.

Printed Maternity Wrap Dress
Geo Print Maternity Wrap Dress
Mosaic Print Maternity Wrap Dress
Purple Printed Maternity Wrap Dress

Nursing

Wrap dresses are already a great choice for nursing, but with our maternity & nursing wrap dresses, breastfeeding has never been so stylish. Not a full wrap; these chic colour block maternity dresses feature ballet style ties which wrap around and secure at the back to conceal discreet nursing access.

Blue & Neon Maternity & Nursing Wrap Dress
Blue & Aqua Maternity & Nursing Wrap Dress
Black & Pink Maternity & Nursing Wrap Dress

LBD

The black wrap dress embodies the best of two design classics; the wrap dress & the LBD. The ultimate versatile style; in a black maternity wrap dress you’ll look & feel fantastic in any situation, and be ready to make a seamless transition from desk to dinner in an instant.

Black 3/4 Sleeve Maternity & Nursing Wrap Dress
Black Short Sleeve Maternity Wrap Dress
Black Classic Maternity Wrap Dress

LUXE

And the wrap is no longer purely the domain of the day dress – for an entirely new take on event dressing; try our glamorous LUXE wrap dresses in premium silky jersey & lace!

Lace Detail Wrap Maternity Dress
Lace Detail Wrap Maternity Gown

Cecile talks new trends & dressing The Duchess

Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Mum & Baby

As your third trimester approaches, it’s time to start thinking about what to pack in your hospital bag.

Space at the hospital is limited, but you definitely don’t want to arrive only to realise that you’ve forgotten something essential.

Zabeena’s Hospital Bag Checklist

We caught up with third-time mama Seraphine model Zabeena, who shared her ultimate hospital bag checklist with us. These are the things she’ll be taking along for baby number three.

Zabeena is packing the Seraphine Tote Bag

Check out our Hospital Bag selection to see our top picks for taking to the hospital.

Hospital Bag Must-Haves For Mum

*Your Birth Plan: You’ll want a printed copy handy to give to your midwife.

*Comfy Maternity Nightwear: A soft button-down nightie is a must – it’s ideal for labour as well as skin to skin and breastfeeding afterwards. A matching dressing gown and supportive sleep bra are also a great idea to pack.

Browse our range of maternity & nursing nightwear online.

*Slippers: Because nobody wants to get cold feet during labour!

*A Camera: Capture those first precious moments.

* The Wash Bag: Make sure to pack all the regular overnight essentials – Toothbrush & toothpaste, lip balm, hairbrush, ties & clips, flannel, face wash, deodorant, travel size shower gel, shampoo, conditioner & towels, tissues, wet wipes, and maternity pads.

*Some Distractions: Magazines, music, phone, iPad & chargers – don’t get caught out without juice at a crucial moment.

*Snacks & Drinks: Pack plenty for you & your partner – It may be a long wait, and nobody wants a hangry birthing partner! Isotonic drinks like Lucozade are a great way to keep your energy levels up.

Nursing Essentials for Your Hospital Bag

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on Apr 20, 2018 at 2:11am PDT

*Nursing Bras & Comfy Briefs: A few pairs of comfy briefs are a must for after labour. And if you plan to nurse, you’ll want to pack some comfortable nursing bras.

*Nipple Cream: To ease any soreness

*Breast Pads: An essential whether you’re nursing or not

*A Nursing Shawl: For discreet breastfeeding when visitors come to call. Our collection of stylish breastfeeding covers are a great choice and are also perfect for swaddling baby.

Baby Hospital Bag Essentials

*Diapers: Pack plenty, and make sure to bring the right size for newborns.

*Outfits for Baby: 3 soft newborn onesies, preferably front opening ones, and a nice outfit for going home in. Check out our beautiful gift sets for newborns featuring 100% organic cotton baby clothes.

*Accessories for Baby: a hat, socks, mittens and a baby blanket are all essentials for keeping your little one cozy for the trip home.

Leaving Hospital Outfit

Soft, Comfy Maternity Clothes: Your body will take time to settle back to normal, so your maternity leggings, tops and dresses will be your best friends for the first weeks & months with baby. Choose an outfit that’s soft, comfy and easy to wear. But don’t forget, you’ll be taking plenty of pictures of baby’s first few days, so make sure to choose an outfit you’ll be happy to look back on in years to come.