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.