This being "Part 2", if you haven't read Part 1 you may want to do so first (click here).
I ended Part 1 with my standing in that huge crowd, waiting impatiently for my chance to meet Rosie Pope. I'm feeling guilty for what's going to be an anti-climatic conclusion, so I'm going to cut to the punch - I never actually shook Rosie's hand or introduced myself...or technically met her. The damn line was soooo long. After 30 minutes of eating gummy bears in line and chatting up the pregnant women in front of me and behind me it became clear I wasn't even halfway through the wait. So, I made up an excuse to get really close, took a haphazard photo (below) and bee lined for the exit.
I got within 15 feet of the Pregnant in Heels hostess, maybe closer. The girl in the pink, patterned, long dress (blurry) was definitely Rosie's keeper. She was standing close by while members of the press questioned her with notebooks and microphoned recorders. You can see in the top right corner there is a person with a camera taking photos of something out of frame. That something is Daron Pope. Oddly enough, Rosie and Daron maintained a significant distance for the entire event.
You're probably pretty angry right now - angry that I didn't actually meet her, that I didn't suck it up and just wait in line, that I fraudulently entitled this post (and Tuesday's post) "I Met Rosie Pope". I'm angry too. And I'm sorry. A more honest choice of words would have been "I Almost Met Rosie Pope But I Was Too Bored". The worst part is that I can't officially confirm or deny her strange accent/lisp/speech impediment because while I got within an earshot, it was so damn noisy I couldn't distinguish her voice from all the others.
Despite your anger, maybe you still want to read about my thoughts on her maternity line?
The Rosie Pope for A Pea in the Pod maternity line is full of blazers and blouses. It has a distinct business woman (with a bump) feel. It's also expensive for what I would consider reasonable money to spend on maternity clothes. A woman is pregnant for 9 months and probably only needs maternity clothes for 5-7 of those months. So, spending a few thousand dollars on a 5-7 month wardrobe isn't a luxury that most ladies can afford, especially considering all of those other looming expenses (strollers, cribs, diapers, etc.). The least expensive item in Rosie's new collection was a peach blouse for $85.
I was also struck by the fact that this line isn't all that different (if at all) from the regular Rosie Pope maternity line. The whole point of the collaboration alluded me. It wasn't like Vera Wang's collection for Kohl's or Stella McCartney's collection for Target, both of which are highly affordable and stylish collections from designers who made names for themselves by making highly expensive and stylish collections.
The collection itself is cute and very New York. I'm not sure it's practical (both in cost and style) for non-professionals. No need to drop $180 on a maternity pencil skirt if you're not required to wear business attire on a daily basis. The color palette is black, white and rose, with few exceptions. The individual pieces are almost all tailored, which I appreciated - just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you have to sport shift dresses and empire waist shirts - but a couple loose fitting items would have been nice. Not everyone can look like Victoria Beckham through the 9th month.
This sparkly, black blazer was one of many blazers. It was cute, had a Chanel vibe.
This white blouse was one of my favorite pieces.
It was simple and didn't look maternity to me. It retailed for $125.
This geometric shirt dress was another favorite. But for $225?
I agonize over non-maternity fashion purchases for $225, much less a purchase
that would realistically fit me for a only few months.
Two parting questions: Do you forgive me? Would you buy Rosie Pope's maternity line for A Pea in the Pod?
