Being an extremely visual person – an artist, graphic designer and fashionista – along with years in PR, advertising and banking – has armed Lucinda with the skills, creative flair and business acumen to start her own business.
3 months pregnant and not fitting in to any of her clothes; Lucinda scoured the maternity shops and couldn’t find anything remotely along the lines of her style. So Cinzia was born – maternity wear, “for the woman who doesn’t want to change her style just because she is pregnant”.
She has successfully put together a collection of stylish dresses and tops for every occasion. They are practical and comfortable yet have an edgy style. So why not show off your bump and have pride in your appearance for 9 months!
Lucinda has a personal relationship with glamour and style and a great eye for putting looks together. She has been in the social scene for years and her style has been watched! Lucinda was voted one of Sydney’s Most Stylish in 2005.
From Lucinda
“I really hope I can be of help to women out there who might be struggling with what to wear when their body changes and help make them look and feel fabulous during one of the most special times in their lives.”
Using stunning fabrics with the right accessories and clever design tricks can help to flatter your changing shape and will arm you with pieces you can throw on and walk out the door with confidence in.
It made me feel sad for girls I would see around my local area – standing uncomfortably pulling their long tee’s down and looking around nervously – not liking the attention of their growing bump.
I hope my designs will make a difference!”
Lucinda talks about starting Cinzia
1) How did you come up with the idea to start your
own maternity business?
I have always dreamt of getting into the fashion business! Though never
would I have believed it would be for maternity!
My stomach popped out very early on in my pregnancy and I found I couldn't
wear any of my clothes - so scoured the maternity shops and just couldn't
find anything remotely in line with my style.
There were loads of practical pieces - jersey stretch tees, fantastic
jeans etc - but nothing glamorous for evening or dressy for the day.
Having worked in fashion and PR, studied design and having some fabulous
contacts in fashion - I set about finding out as much as possible about
getting started and utlised a trip OS to LA, New York, and London to get
a great idea on the industry. In America - maternity is big business with
Destination Maternity - a $600m business - the worlds largest maternity retailer
with 1,600 locations!
The UK was also a great market for maternity - with TOP SHOP branching
into tends for Mothers to Be!
Working from home on my business has proven to be an extremely gratifying
project - during an extremely exciting time in ones life. There are
fabulous places like Yummy Mummies to preen and pamper us and look after
our tired limbs and feet carrying the extra weight. All sorts of creams,
lotions and potions to stop stretch marks and vitamins to ensure our babies
are born in optimum health.
The Government is assisting us by ordering better work conditions -
maternity leave with pay etc. and even Government grants once the baby
is born.
There has never been a better time to be pregnant!
2) Were there any barriers you faced when you first started Cinzia?
Like many entrepreneurs - I had my fair share of non believers! When
I first mentioned my idea of branching into maternity fashion - there
were people who said they wouldn't pay for nice maternity clothing
and that they didn't think there was much of a market - however I believe
this to be a booming industry - with a gap in the market - and from
my research (did a survey on 50 pregnant women - who all agreed there was
room for improvement in terms of maternity style) and wearing my designs
out in the world - I have had nothing but glowing compliments and interest
and many people saying "FINALLY!
Maternity clothing we WANT to WEAR!". Have even had a few girls wanting
to buy my dresses and tops who aren't even pregnant! Which is great
to know that they will be great after baby is born!
Such positive feedback has given me a real thirst to create very stylish
and flattering pieces for fellow Mums to Be!
3) Who are your maternity inspirations in terms of fashion whilst
they were pregnant?
Celebrities have influence on fashion and culture and they are out
there at the Emmys and on the pages of magazines whilst pregnant.
More and more gorgeous pregnant women are in the media - absolutely
glowing and showing off there pregnancy in stunning clothes that match
their happiness!
Heidi Klum, Princess Mary, Claudia Schiffer, Elle McPherson, Sarah
O'Hare all helped inspire me to create fabulous pieces - as they looked
so divine during their pregnancies. They inspire us all to make the most
of this special time and not hide their pregnancy in oversized dresses.
4) What is it like having pregnant women as your clients?
I am absolutely loving the connection I have with Mums to be. I feel
completely honoured to spend time and get feedback on such a joyful
time. Being 7 months pregnant myself - I have found this experience
thoroughly enjoyable - its such a happy business to be in!
5) Do you see maternity wear taken seriously?
Its been a long time coming - but pregnant women are finally getting
a makeover! Chic maternity clothing is becoming big business - with
new high-end boutiques for pregnant women popping up around town.
Part of the maternity makeover could be due to women's changing role
in society. More and more are balancing careers and motherhood at the
same time, and those who have reached the higher ranks of corporations
or own businesses themselves cannot afford to look bad during pregnancy.
I believe there is no reason why maternity shouldn't be taken seriously.
We are women with busy and successful lives - why shouldn't we have stunning
clothes to make us feel our best?
I think this industry is booming - with more births - baby shops opening
everywhere! There are new designers entering the market all the time.
