Selwyn Times: June 07, 2016

SELWYN TIMES Tuesday June 7 2016 27
Fashion
Style for your
post-baby body
• By Emma-Jane
McLennan
WHEN BRIDGET York
first had her baby, Jacob,
her world was turned
upside-down and her
plans for a fashion label
were put on hold.
But it was in becoming a
mother that she saw a gap
in the market for quality
merino breastfeeding and
baby wear, and decided to
fill it.
“It’s really hard to find
good breastfeeding wear
– a lot of it is made for
maternity as well, but it
means that as you lose
your baby belly you’re left
with this saggy sort of
unflattering shirt.”
Mrs York wanted something
a little more stylish,
that would make her feel
good about herself and her
post-baby body, while also
making it easy and discreet
to breastfeed in public.
“I wanted to create something
I’d wear. When you’re
breastfeeding it’s a constant
thought on your mind –
you’re looking at clothes
and wondering, how can I
pop a boob out here?”
She has combined her
creative training – studying
fine arts at university
– with her background
in textiles through her
family’s business, Weft
Knitting Company.
That background has
been woven into Mrs
York’s ranges – Bridget
York and Baby York –
which she creates out of
100 per cent merino wool.
She launched earlier this
year after a hectic Christmas
season “two family
weddings and getting a
whole range together
before February 1.”
She sells baby basics and
breastfeeding womenswear
through her online
site, as well as stores such
as Bundle at The Colombo.
“I’ve even just had an
order from a woman in
TIGHT-KNIT: Bridget York and her son Jacob, who
inspired her mother-and-baby merino range.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
France, who found me on
Etsy. That’s just the power
of the internet,” she said,
shaking her head.
But while the baby wear
range has taken off, Mrs
York said it has been an
eye-opener observing
mothers’ buying habits.
“It’s really interesting,
mothers will often spend
hundreds [of dollars] on
their baby before they
spend anything on themselves.
My message is that
mummies need to invest
in themselves.”
Mrs York makes all of
COSY:
Bridget
York’s
merino
baby wear
range is
designed
to be
soft and
breathable.
the clothing by hand while
Jacob is at pre-school,
with her husband or at
his grandparents a couple
days each week. And while
the brand is selling well
so far, she doesn’t plan to
expand for a while yet. She
said it has been a “massive
learning curve” and the
business is serving its goal:
It is allowing her more
time with her son.
“I love being an at-home
mum, and that’s really
what I want to do. Just
spend more time with
him.”
Kim’s
Fashion Quarterly
from Kim Taylor —Viva La Moda
How To Be Colourful
This Winter
Winter fashion does not have to be dull.
Use colour wisely to brighten up your outfit
but remember that neutral basics in colours
such as black will mix and match with your
brighter colours and give you versatility in your
wardrobe.
Also remember that it is the colours you
choose to wear close to your face that you
should focus on if you are trying to colour up
your Winter palette.
Augustine is all about colour and we have
pictured this stunning fushia jersey knit dress
with metallic trim (Pheonix knit dress $179)
Liven up a dull day with the
stunning Vargo Lush top in fire
colourway. ($159) This top looks
perfect with pants and
skirts. Our mannequin
is wearing LTB jeans
($249) and genuine
rabbit fur vest in brown.
($229)
Another stunning option
is the pretty beaded
neck floral Augustine
Veda dress ($179) This
dress has been teamed up
with a faux fur Jorge vest
($119.90) This dress could
be dressed up for a Winter
wedding or dressed down
with a denim jacket for work
or play.
Another way to do colour
is to simply add a pop
of vibrant colour to a
more subtle toned dress
such as this White chalk high
low dress in charcoal stripes
($119) with Augustine mallory
kimono ($179) pictured in
stunning fushia.
-Kim Taylor
All of the fashion featured in the images is available from Viva La Moda Rolleston
STYLISH: Bridget York’s merino breast-feeding wear being modelled.
Shop 12, Rolleston Square, Rolleston. Phone 347 1151