Adriana Chryssicopoulos and Tatiana de Boisanger met while working at NET-A-PORTER and bonded during pregnancy over their mutual despair at what was available out there for stylish and fashion-conscious expectant mothers. Adriana worked in the accessories buying department and Tatiana was managing the site’s weekly email mail-outs. Together, they launched NINE IN THE MIRROR, a new website designed to offer pregnant women and new mothers an edited selection of non-maternity, stunning designer ready-to-wear. With looks straight from the catwalk, in sizes that will work from the first to the third trimester, NINE IN THE MIRROR aims to help women remain true to their personal style despite physical changes through pregnancy. From Maje to Marni, J Brand to Joseph, this is a one-stop, online shop for those in the know. Adriana Chryssicopoulos takes some time out to tell us a little more about it and share her own travel style tips.

Congratulations on the new site. Can you tell me a little more about why you decided to create nineinthemirror.com?

NINE IN THE MIRROR was created after Tatiana (my founding partner) and I went through our pregnancies while working in fashion and found that, in our aim to stay true to our own personal style, we were opting out of maternity wear. In order to do so, we had to make a time-consuming and laborious effort to seek out stylish items that would suit us. We felt that for all e-commerce offered, there was a gap in the marketplace when it came to high-end designer clothing that was suitable for expectant women. NINE IN THE MIRROR aims to prove that pregnancy is no obstacle to great style and, therefore, the site offers an edited selection of wearable non-maternity pieces from luxury and contemporary designers.

Are you big on travelling with your children? Where have you had your best holiday to date?

I am big on travelling with children.  I love travelling and some of my fondest memories of my childhood are of summer trips taken with my parents and siblings. My best family holiday to date was a few years ago, when my husband and I took our two small children on a boat trip to the Aegean Sea in Greece for a week. It wasn’t super luxurious, but simple and in tune with nature. We would start the morning swimming and fishing and end the day with dinner or barbecue on the beach, followed by star-gazing. We stopped in various different secluded bays for swimming and would take the kids exploring on the rocks and coves. I was nearly eight months pregnant with my third child at the time, but the fact that we were all on the same schedule, early to rise and early to bed, made the trip restful.

And your worst?

My worst trip with children was a 10+ hour flight I took with my daughter Olivia when she was just 10 months old (and my only child at the time). We flew to Buenos Aires and she was ill with a stomach bug the entire flight. By the end of the flight, she had soiled all her clothes and, as a last resort, I had to dress her in an airline pillowcase. The actual trip to Argentina (which I otherwise LOVE) wasn’t much better as she remained unwell for the duration and I was ordering very expensive chicken broth from room service!

Do you have any must-have travel accessories or items of clothing for yourself when flying?

I love travelling with a super-soft, oversized pashmina or blanket. It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of summer or not: planes usually have the air-conditioning on full and I love wrapping myself up from head to toe in-flight. It also comes in handy when you need to create extra cushioning for your children napping on top of you!

And anything you always bring for the children?

Its funny to think of travelling with children before and after the iPad. When my eldest was small, I would bring a bag full of stickers and colouring books and wind-up toys and similar knickknacks to keep her entertained. Now, all I need is a pre-filled iPad (and by that I mean new, unseen cartoons and games) and a headphone splitter with two headphones. As a mother of three, I have old iPods that come along as well because, inevitably, they all want different things. PS. I ironically still take a carry-on bag with colouring books and reading for the kids, though inevitably it never comes out of the bag. Wishful thinking!

For a hot weather holiday, what would you recommend to expectant mothers, wardrobe-wise?

I would recommend loose fitting, airy clothing. Floaty dresses are an easy option and look chic paired with smart flat sandals. However, I personally love the comfort of elasticated or drawstring shorts teamed with an A-line top. A shirtdress is also extremely versatile  (a crisp white design will never go out of style) and can be easily dressed up or down depending on your shoes and accessories.

 Sandro short-sleeved playsuit, £260

And for a cold winter holiday? 

For a cold weather holiday, I recommend layering, since it’s hard to know what to expect away from home. And since one is likely to brave the elements while away, in order to see the sights, it’s important to bundle up the bump, too! Invest in a warm winter coat that has ample room for a growing bump. I love Joseph’s cashmere parka – it’s elegant but easy to wear, and super luxurious. I’d also recommend a great pair of maternity jeans. Our failsafe black coated designs from brands like Paige can go from day to night – simply switch out of boots and into a nice midi-heel with a button down silk blouse (By Malene Birger has a beautiful powder pink version). Layer over a knit cape or a crepe buttonless blazer from T by Alexander Wang and you’re set!

T by Alexander Wang Draped crepe blazer, £384

By Malene Birger Silk button down blouse, £259

Paige coated Verdugo skinny maternity jeans, £224

Joseph Cashmere knit cape, £385

Do you have any beauty essentials you recommend for expectant or new mothers? 

I love Mama Mio, which I discovered when I was having my first baby. Their clean ingredient range has since expanded, but I used the Tummy Rub Oil or Butter for maintaining moist skin, particularly as I had really itchy and dry skin.

Who is the best dressed expectant mother, in your opinion? 

There are so many at the moment, so expectant dressing is really having its turn in the spotlight. I thought Kerry Washington in a Prada crop top when pregnant was unbelievable, and now Blake Lively showing off her baby bump in a plunge-front Gucci gown. There are almost too many to choose from…..

I also loved seeing the front-row crowd take on dressing for the shows when pregnant. It was particularly interesting to see how Eva Chen, Miroslava Duma, Yasmin Sewell and Natasha Goldenberg adapted their personal style to pregnancy at the recent Spring/Summer 2015 shows – #StyleTheBump!

Do you have any items on your site that would work really well for new mothers, as well as expectant mothers? 

Yes, definitely. We know that the 4th trimester is a tricky, often overlooked period and it’s difficult since women’s figures don’t always bounce back to their original shape quickly. For this stage, we have plenty of button-down blouses that make breastfeeding easier and elastic waist trousers, as well as casual lounge pants. Or if a new mother has an event to attend, we also have great evening pieces that hide and accentuate the right curves!

If you could go anywhere on holiday with your family (a dream destination or hotel, so to speak), where would it be?

I would love to do an animal safari in Africa with my children, but I think they need to be a little older before we can fully enjoy it. I also want to rent an RV and do a cross-country USA trip. I think that would be memorable for many reasons and provide many laughs for years to come.

How would you describe the process of packing in your household?

Rose loves packing. She is always packing a school bag or her overnight bag for an adventure. I do all the serious holiday packing. I always start by laying out their clothes and making sure we have enough outfits and plenty of spare pyjamas! I always involve Rose though and ask her opinion. Mr B. does the more practical packing with a list from me.

What is your advice for parents packing for a holiday with children?

Organisation is key. Write a list a week before you depart just to make sure that, if there is something on the list you need but don’t have, you still have time to get it. There is nothing worse than doing last minute packing, as you are sure to forget something. I love packing for any trip as it is so exciting to go away. I love making sure we have everything we need to make the most of our precious time away together.

Is there something you always pack? Or never take away with you?

I always take the girls’ pillows from their beds so they have something familiar to help settle them into new surroundings. I also always pack a stack of CD’s for Mr B. and I and, of course, Disney’s Greatest Hits for the girls. We try to pack light so things like the pram get swapped for our favourite baby sling – the Ergo Baby.

What are your favourite childrenswear labels?

I have so many favourites! Holiday favourites always include Mini Boden. Their swimwear washes really well and it lasts, too. Martha was wearing Rose’s old swimsuit all summer. Their towelling throw on’s are perfect for the beach. Shoes? I love Sun San Sandals – they are so durable and you can wear them in the sea, so they are perfect for protecting little people’s feet. For summer dresses I love Zara; they have such pretty prints and cottons. My dream brand for summer dresses is Miller, though. They produce super simple styles but they are just beautifully done. Winter jackets I always spend on; I like traditional pea coats and navy duffle coats. Martha has a super sweet one from Miller; Rose’s winter coat is from our favourite local Children’s boutique called Niddle Noddle.

What products do you always pack for yourself when heading on holiday?

Room spray and a silk eye mask! As soon we we go anywhere, I like to make the place feel like home, so I take my favourite room spray from The White Company. it’s the White Lavender spray, which I took to in my hospital bag for both my girls’ births. It always reminds me of those special moments.

What do you recommend parent take with them for the actual journey to make it a bit more bearable?

Just be calm. There will always be things you can’t control when you travel, so just keep calm and remember that, at the end of the journey awaits a holiday. Other than the usual things like an iPad, a well stocked craft bag full of pencils, crayons etc. is imperative. Baker and Ross is an amazing website that has craft kits which you can buy, such as money boxes that can painted or felt flower kits. I always do a little online order of these before a long trip.

Where have you had your best holiday as a family?

We have been so busy that we actually haven’t been away with Marvellous Martha. I am planning a family trip to Santorini next Summer to make up for it though. We had an amazing holiday with Rose; we took her back to where we went on our honeymoon, to Les Tresor in France. I was actually pregnant with Rose on my honeymoon so it was so special to take her back to the place where I spent most of time imagining what this growing baby in my tummy would be like. I love the relaxed pace of life in the South of France: we had endless picnics in the sunshine and Rose could truly just be a child and run round investigating anything that took her fancy.

Any bad experiences you care to mention?

Mr B. and I once went to Turkey and the hotel we were staying in went bankrupt. The hotel staff went on strike and tried to take over the hotel! It was awful. All their friends came and had parties in the pool. In the end, all the hotel guests formed a mutiny and we had to try and take some control! It was a funny experience, with lots of people sticking together in a very unfamiliar surrounding.

What is your dream destination with your children?

I would love to take them to Thailand for six months, just to see an another world through their eyes. That would be a dream come true and something I really hope we will do together one day.

Heidi Klein is infamous for her eponymous swimwear range worn by pretty much every major name in fashion and film. And her designs are set to be available for a younger market from next month when they expand into the arena of girls’ swimwear for ages 2 – 10. Expertly crafted, each story features a bespoke range of pretty swimwear in super soft UPF 50+ fabrics that block out 97% of the sun’s harmful rays, with coordinating dresses and rash vests to complement each story. Aside from her hugely successful label, Heidi has three children so we were thrilled she took some time out to tell kodomo.com a little more about what we can expect from her first children’s collection…..

What made you decide to launch a children’s swimwear label?

I found it difficult to find beautiful swimwear for my little girl and wanted to create a line I knew she would love.

What was the inspiration behind the new collection for girls?

My little girl Madeleine. We have not started the boys collection yet; I’m still gathering inspiration for that.

Did your children help with the designs at all? Did you run everything by them to see what they thought?

Yes, I ran all the designs by Maddy and she loved them all.

Have you any plans to extend the collection in the future, either to make it bigger or to start designing for teenagers?

Yes. We will start creating a collection for boys soon, aged from 2-10 years of age. There will be new styles in the girls’ collection twice a year and we have a new line of adorable sandals, too.

Do you remember the swimwear you wore as a child? Can you describe it for us?

I had a red and white polka dot swimsuit with a little skirt; I loved it!

What are your earliest memories of travel as a child?

Jumping in the rock pools with my brothers on the beach in Scotland.

If you had to pick one favourite destination for your holidays as a family where it would be?

Portofino, Italy.

And aside from your own swimwear, what do you have to pack when travelling on holiday? Is there one item you can’t live without?

My beauty essentials are Crème de la Mer Face and Body Gradual Tan; Sisley Eau de champagne, and St Barth Roucou Tanning Oil for skin and hair. Other travel essentials are a notebook and pen, Todd’s sunglasses, a cashmere throw, and a Heidi Klein travel candle, all packed neatly in my treasured Birkin bag.

In a few words, what advice would you give to women when buying swimwear?

Find the right style to fit your body shape so that your swimwear fits you perfectly. This is really important. Make sure your swimwear provides enough support where you need it the most. Try on a selection of styles, such as a bandeau, d-g ring top, triangle top, and a control one piece, and see which one you feel most comfortable in. If you feel comfortable, you will feel gorgeous.

And can you tell us a little about the inspiration for the current womenswear range? Did it have any influence over the designs for the children’s swimwear or are they totally independent of each other?

They are really independent of each other in regards to design, fit and style. The inspiration for our womenswear collections each season come from listening to our customers in the stores, hearing what they like and don’t like, and designing styles with a nod to the current print trends. The classical nautical style is one of my favourite prints for swimwear, and so we have elaborated on this trend to come up with fresh designs each season. Our new Resort Summer 2015 collection presents a fresh and elegant take on texture with rich, understated fabrics blended with bold colour harmonies running across both swim and cover ups. With confident colours of neon yellow, bright red, deep coral, and hot fuchsia elegantly contrasted with vintage leopard, Ikat and mottled prints, my next collection is all about offering an effortlessly chic mix-and-match selection of beachwear.

Ursula Hirschkorn, the mother behind the fabulous blog Four Down, Mum to Go is our latest fantastic blogger to offer her wise and very experienced thoughts on how to travel with tots in tow and how to have a happy family holiday. She has four boys, including twins. Aside from her blog musings, Ursula can be followed @fourdownmumtogo.

Travelling with children should probably come with a health warning, particularly if you are foolish enough to have four boys like me. That said, as a parent of a 10-year old, an 8-year-old and five-year-old twins, I find myself in regular need of a restorative break, even if the children do have to tag along.

Pros and Cons of family travel

I firmly believe the key to a successful break, en famille, is to ensure that there is enough in the way of activities and amusement to keep everyone happy, no matter where you go.

There is precious little point in booking a meandering wine tasting tour of Provence with four little non-drinkers in tow. I should know; I tried it once with disastrous results. I can now declare with confidence that long, boozy lunches in posh French restaurants and English toddlers, who eat nothing but pizza, do not mix well.

Equally, as I didn’t actually have all my brain cells sucked out along with the babies during labour, I cannot bear a holiday that involves nothing but ‘child-friendly’ activities. I am sorry, but it is not a holiday if I have to spend it pushing a buggy at the bottom of endless rollercoasters while the older ones get their thrills at a theme park. Nor do I consider chain restaurant burger and chips an exotic treat.

So the magical formula is to find a location where there is enough fun stuff to keep the kids happy, but enough culture, food and, alright I admit it, shopping, to keep the parents happy. That being the case, some of my most successful holidays have been to the States.

The United States

America, arguably, might not have much to offer in the way of culture, but it certainly knows how to welcome a family, even one as large and boisterous as mine.

Contrary to popular belief, the food is a great mix of favourites the kids will eat and top quality dishes that leave parents equally satisfied. Even better, there appears to be no such thing as a child-friendly restaurant, because all restaurants make small diners feel at home. When my jet-lagged four-year-old fell asleep draped along a banquette in a smart California steakhouse, no one batted an eyelid.

As for activities, well I will admit to a serious weakness for American shopping malls. Normally, shopping with my sons is something I would avoid like the plague. But American malls come complete with play areas and plush baby and child areas playing Disney DVDs on a loop.

I can leave my husband to kick back in a recliner while he keeps an eye on the kids in the play area, while I let myself loose in Macys without fear that they will get bored and start bothering me before I’ve covered a single department.

But it’s not all about me (unfortunately) and we have enjoyed many attractions as a family including the fabulous USS Midway aircraft carrier moored in San Diego (I particularly loved posing with the same plane Tom Cruise flew in Top Gun), watching baby dolphins play in the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage, and the amazing Mystere show by Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island, both in Las Vegas.

We have also done the requisite Disneyland Florida trip many times and, while the plastic jollity of the theme parks isn’t for everyone, I have always made the trip tolerable by tacking on a week in one of the delightful Florida coastal seaside resorts. Anna Maria Island is particularly beautiful, with acres of pure white sand and blue sea to provide an adult antidote to Mickey and friends.

Staying at home

Despite the delights of America, you don’t have to cross the Atlantic for a fabulous family holiday. Staying at home in the UK has plenty of benefits, too. As long as you can hack the drive (DVD players, iPads and a mountain of snacks are the only way to go), there are some stunning places to explore.

My top picks would be Northumberland, with its Harry Potter castle at Alnwick and endless sandy beaches, Pembrokeshire for its cliff top walks and rockpools, or Shropshire with it’s rolling countryside and fascinating Ironbridge museums, that would take a whole week to explore properly.

So, while a family holiday has the potential to be harder work than staying at home, if you pick your destination with care it can be the recuperative break all parents crave. And if money were no object? I would whisk my brood off to the Turks and Caicos in the British West Indies. I spent my 26th birthday on the paradise island of Providenciales and remember celebrating by standing at midnight up to my knees in the deliciously warm crystal clear sea, wriggling my toes into the soft, powder white sand and raising a glass of champagne to the starlit sky. It was the most perfect moment in the most perfect place, so where better to have the perfect family holiday? I can imagine nothing more idyllic than building sandcastles and snorkelling with my boys on the Bacardi-ad beach of Grace Bay. 

So your trip is booked, the accommodation has been researched in painstaking detail and everyone is counting the minutes to take off. But for a lot of new parents there are endless worries and questions when taking young children to new climes. Changing weather patterns, new temperatures tiny tots aren’t used to and local medical issues can often put families off travelling, especially when considering more tropical destinations. There is no reason not to get away though. Professor Ricky Richardson, a Senior Consultant Paediatrician who sees patients at The Child and Family Practice, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and Princess Margaret Hospital in Windsor chats with kodomo.com. He gives us some great advice on how to stay safe and be prepared when travelling abroad with children.

What are your tips for sun protection?

The sun is much more dangerous than you think for babies and small children.  It is a necessity that all small babies and children wear at least factor 30 sunblock. However, if your baby is fair-skinned, I would recommend factor 50 sunblock.  After sun exposure, please make sure to apply lots of moisturising cream to rehydrate the skin.  If a child gets sunburnt it becomes very painful for them to be in the water, whether it is hot or cold.  If you give them a shower they may even scream.  For small babies I recommend that they wear a long-sleeved t-shirt over their sun cream at all times.

How do you best approach an upset stomach?

It is not out of the ordinary to get an upset stomach whilst abroad, especially if you holiday in the Tropics.  And if is often uncooked foods like salads that can cause upset tummies.  The best treatment for this is Dioralyte.  You need one sachet mixed with 200ml of boiled and then cooled bottled water, repeated until the diarrohea has stopped. If there is blood in the diarrhoea then your child will need to be seen by a doctor, but most of these symptoms are self-limiting and will respond to fluid replacement with Dioralyte. Dehydration can be insidious and extra fluids are very important for children as they get dehydrated very quickly. Immodium is not recommended for children.

What is your advice when travelling to Malarial countries with children?

For information about Immunisations and Malarial protection, we suggest you go to the Travel Clinic at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, as they have the latest World Health Organisation advice on malarial prophylaxis.

And how do you best deal with insect bites?

For insect bites simply use an antihistamine cream, which will quickly stop the itching. Use a mosquito net when possible as this will really help, also.

Any suggestions on really useful medicines to take on holiday?

We recommend taking a pack containing Nurofen, Calpol, Dioralyte, Malaria Prophylaxis (this changes in different parts of the world so, again, please check) plasters, and antiseptic cream. Antihistamines such as Zirtec or Piriton (this is an antihistamine taken by mouth) should be carried as an anti-mosquito bite treatment.

And any other thoughts?

Google where you are headed before you go away to find out where the nearest health facility is to where you are staying.  Make sure you get adequate health insurance that covers the country you are going to. And remember that the reality is that a significant number of injuries abroad are caused by road accidents, so make sure children know which way to look in another country when crossing the road. Always obey the local advice on beaches and adhere to the recommendations of local authorities.

The Child and Family Practice in central London offers a comprehensive range of services for children with emotional and behavioral problems, as well as their parents. Their large team of clinical experts include paediatricians, child psychiatrists, child and family therapists, child psychologists, nurses, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and individual therapists. All team members maintain the highest level of professionalism, and practice as experienced experts in their specialist areas of work.