Bella Dahl Maternity -A Sexy Jean for the Mother-to-Be
Bella Dahl has been around for almost six years, and two years ago Bella Dahl Maternity was created based on the need for cool, sexy maternity wear in the same vein as Bella Dahl, a very contemporary, sexy fitting jeans line. The thought was that expecting mothers would not want to wear a baggy, bulky jean. Head designer Lynn Keys came up with a very successful product with a sexy fit and cool styling; very contemporary, very hip. Some of the Bella Dahl Maternity jeans expose the belly; others do not.
Lynn grew up in the Midwest and attended design school, then went on to FIT in New York, where she studied for two years. In 1996 Lynn came out to Los Angeles and worked with a contemporary firm for three years. Lynn went out on her own for a couple of years and did some accessories, cashmere, and wristbands, then transitioned into Bella Dahl. She’s been here ever since the beginning.
We decided to continue our fashion jean in the contemporary market because we thought that our sexy clientele will get pregnant, and they’re going to want a sexy jean. We use lycra in our product. It’s a comfort stretch. Our tummy band is terry cloth with lycra which holds your tummy very well. It can slide under the belly or be up above. It has a self elastic band inside. You don’t have bulk around your mid-section; you’re more emphasizing it and exposing it.
What is the demographic?
Our Maternity age range is anywhere from 20s to mid 40s. It is a very body-conscious customer, same with our Bella Dahl client–someone who’s very sexy and fit and who can wear a jean very well. The way that we engineer our tummy, especially the belly part of our maternity jean, it really helps to make you feel very sexy.
Lynn is the head designer. The two owners are very involved in the direction and focus of their product. Lynn is very hands-on. She oversees the details: pocket details, stitching, washes, fabrications, including which products are being put into maternity.
Sometimes we carry over our bestseller in Bella Dahl contemporary into our maternity to help dress those pregnant clients throughout their pregnancy.
Bella Dahl can be found in specialty maternity stores, specialty boutiques, which carry a maternity section, Nordstrom, Pea in the Pod, etc. The difference between Bella Dahl and Bella Dahl Maternity is in the cut. A little more fullness is added to the hips, and the waistband is cut down. There is the same quality of stitching. The belly portion is carved out so there are no folds over the belly. The waistband is dropped by two or three inches. It sits right underneath the belly. It grows with you during your pregnancy.
When I was pregnant I didn’t find anything in the market like Bella Dahl. Bella Dahl Maternity retails from $126 to $175.
Highest High:
The best part of designing the line is seeing the end product. Wearing it, and feeling good, you don’t feel like you’re pregnant.
Lowest Low:
Once we’ve played around with the tummy band to get this fit just right, it was a challenge. But it was executed and as you can see, it turned out great.
What’s Next?
Bella Dahl has always been a very rock ‘n roll wearable jean. In terms of the maternity line, I think we’re going to continue our strong bodies and update the washes, probably go a little cleaner. The washes will be a little bit clearer–not so much tinting. In terms of pocket trends, we’re going into more stitching and color stitching.
Celebrities Debra Messing, Kate Hudson, and Sarah Jessica Parker have requested Bella Dahl Maternity. This is a testimony to a jean that grows with your pregnancy. Who says you have to be out of style to be pregnant?
Interview by Kaylene Peoples
