Graphics designer Pattie Shum of Huntington Beach, California reached a fashion crisis four months into her pregnancy. Unable to find maternity clothing to complement her retro punk style, she returned from pregnancy boutiques empty handed and vowed to remedy her unpleasant shopping situation.
Both of Pattie’s parents worked in the fashion industry. Having grown up in Burbank, California watching her mother sew, Pattie was no stranger to fashion design. With her mother’s help, Pattie created MamaSanMaternity.com during her pregnancy in order to broaden the range of merchandise available to pregnant women. She also established Miso Punk to provide alternative options in infant apparel. The infant and toddlers line includes edgy graphics tees and rompers. Pattie’s two year old son, Maverick, is a fan of Miso Punk.
Pattie believes that vintage shopping is therapeutic because it enables her to focus all of her creative energy on a search for a “diamond in the rough.” Her favorite retro and vintage stores in southern California are Swellegant, Hubba Hubba, Jet Rag, La Bomba and Meow. Although Pattie appreciates all eras of vintage fashion, including the graceful 1940s, tailored 1950s and mod 1960s, her greatest fashion influence has been the 1980s. Inspired by the new romantic and gothic movement as well as the music icon Madonna, Pattie stocked up on Doc Martens, bustiers, rubber bracelets and fishnet tights. She admires risk-taking fashion designers such as colorful Betsey Johnson, diverse Jean Paul Gaultier, dramatic Alexander McQueen, punk Vivienne Westwood, rock and roll Anna Sui and avant-garde John Galliano.
MamaSan/Miso Punk offers $5 USPS shipping or free shipping with a purchase of $30 or more. The e-store allows returns and exchanges within 14 days. MamaSan maternity clothing is available in sizes small through extra large. Prices range from $20-$50 for tops, $45-$57 for dresses and $39-$55 for skirts. A nursing cover is also available for $25. The MamaSan line centers around the color black, which Pattie says projects confidence and provides wearability. The Miso Punk collection includes baby blankets for $35, diaper covers for $14 and onesies for $16. Infant and toddler overalls are $25 and rompers and t-shirts are $20.
Pattie is currently working on next season’s MamaSan and Miso Punk designs, which will expand the selection of versatile separates and accessories. She plans to develop a charitable component to her business, donating a portion of profits to foundations that assist children and pregnant women. In addition to the e-store at MamaSanMaternity.com, the MamaSan and Miso Punk collections can be purchased at select retailers in southern California and Paris. For more information about MamaSan and Miso Punk, check out their blog, Myspace, Facebook and Twitter.
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