Celebrity stylist Monica Rose is famous for her work with Hollywood’s most stylish women — from Chrissy Teigen and Gigi Hadid, to Shay Mitchell and Katherine McPhee — masterfully balancing Instagram-friendly sex appeal and chic sophistication in every look she creates. In recent years, she has also become the go-to stylist for Hollywood A-listers looking to up their maternity-dressing game, ushering the likes of Chrissy Teigan, Chanel Iman, and Nicole Trunfio through some of the best-dressed pregnancies in recent memory. The Daily Front Row caught up with Rose to find out just how she makes those chic maternity moments happen time and time again.
You styled Chrissy Teigen during both of her pregnancies. How did her pregnancy style differ from her non-pregnancy style?
When I first started styling Chrissy Teigen she was already six months pregnant with Luna! We began working together for awards season, so it was really how I learned to work with her. Her pregnancy style isn’t too different from her regular style, it’s more about what’s flattering for her figure, what makes her feel sexy and what makes her feel her best.
What are some of your favorite looks you created on her during those times? Why do you love them?
There are so many looks that I loved for her because she was just glowing throughout her pregnancies. I didn’t want to style her in what you would normally think to wear when you’re pregnant. My favorite looks are the Yanina Couture, silver dress at the 2018 Grammy’s, this by far was my favorite and it wasn’t a maternity dress. The 2nd look is the red Stella McCartney cape dress she wore for Ellen’s birthday party. It was so stunning, the color popped and she was glowing. My 3rd favorite, is a close tie, it’s the Pamela Roland cape gown with feathers she wore for the Art of Elysium Gala, and a Jonathan Simkhai custom gown for the 2018 Clive Davis pre-Grammy party. Both were so stunning on her.
How did your own pregnancy effect your style and/or the way you work with and style pregnant women?
Every woman is different. It’s always challenging to find the right fit. I personally never wore maternity clothes. I worked throughout my pregnancies so I had to stay comfortable and I dressed pretty much the same as my regular style. I wore designers such as T by Alexander Wang, Enza Costa, Monrow, and James Perse because the fabrics were all so comfortable. The most challenging was pants that fit right. Because of my own experiences with pregnancy style I know which brands to use and recommend for my clients.
In your experience, are designers ever resistant to dressing someone during pregnancy?
Thankfully I’ve never run into that situation. Most designers were all so incredibly accommodating. Normally, you would need to allow the designers more time to make something custom since they are all sample sizes. That is the fun part of my job, which is collaborating. I also worked with designers that had a size run so we were able to go up a size and tailor to the body.
What is something you think most women get wrong when dressing during pregnancy?
They immediately think they need to buy maternity clothes, but you really don’t. You can just go up a few sizes. Most women think they need to buy oversize clothes but you can wear fitted clothes that are comfortable and flattering. I think women should embrace their bodies and wear a form fitted dress or top that makes you feel pretty and show off that beautiful belly! Don’t oversize your wardrobe and hide.
What brands/designers do you think are best at creating clothes that work before, during, and after pregnancy and why?
Spanx is number one. They have great pregnancy shapewear that I’ve pulled for a lot of my clients and they have really good maternity leggings too! They go super high, anything that goes over your belly is plus, especially if your trying to hide your outie belly button that has suddenly popped out. A few of my go to brands were; Enza Costa tops and dresses because the fabric was beyond comfortable. Also other designers such as James Perse, Monrow, and ATM are all non-maternity designers but are comfortable, wearable and versatile is a plus. Norma Kamali and Wolford are great for swimwear and dresses that still had a great form fit. Rachel Pally has great maxi dresses that did not feel too oversized. Zimmermann was good for flowy feminine dresses, I would just go up a size or two. Haider Ackerman and Ann Demeulemeetser were great for over sizes coats, blazers, jackets and dresses. Boyfriend jeans by One Teaspoon were my best friend. All these could still be worn post pregnancy as well.
Are there any maternity brands you actually like?
I did use maternity jeans from J Brand, Citizen of Humanity, and Paige denim. I also use a lot of Ingrid and Isabel on clients, as they have the best maternity tanks.
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- J Brand
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- Paige
Mama J Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans, J BRAND, $198; Verdugo Cropped Maternity Jeans, PAIGE, $239
What is the one fashion item every pregnant woman needs to own?
I’d say shapewear and the right jeans, whether it be a boyfriend jean or maternity jean. I think finding a good bottom is key.
Are there any gaping holes you see in the maternity-fashion space that you think need to be filled? What’s the next million-dollar maternity idea?
I feel there is a big void in maternity fashion in general. There hasn’t been anything I haven’t had to tweak. There is no go-to maternity brand or designer that has figured it out yet. Or maybe I have just not come across it yet. I would say someone needs to invent a good leather pregnancy pant and a good boyfriend jean.
Who that you don’t currently work with do you think has amazing pregnancy style?
The first to come to mind is Blake Lively. I think I appreciated it because, it was still true to her style and she was glowing and embraced her beautiful growing bump. I am also really excited to see Diane Kruger’s pregnancy style because she always looks so stylish and chic, so I’m excited to see what she’s going to do while she’s pregnant.
Diane Kruger at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. (Shutterstock)
What’s the best style advice you ever received from your own mother?
This is actually funny because I think I’ve always been given my mother style advice since I was a child, and not the other way. But I will say I’ve always admired her personal style growing up. She was so stylish, classy and chic. I still have a lot of her vintage clothes she saved for me and it’s still very current now. Her style was always so timeless.
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