It used to be that maternity clothes and personal style were mutually exclusive entities. While pregnant, you were forcibly quarantined to the Land of Frumpy Sack Dresses, no matter how fashion-centric your personal taste might have been. But all that changed when the wunderkinds behind Moody Mamas, 20-somethings Marta Abrams and Elise Rosemarin, happily—and quite successfully—combined both ideas into a collection of maternity clothes that won the hearts of fashionable moms-to-be everywhere. And their wide- sweeping fame made another—rather unlikely—fan along the way: designer and Project Runway winner Christian Siriano, who came aboard to design the duo's latest endeavor, a high-end maternity line called Fierce Mamas by Christian Siriano (shop the collection in today's Maternity Shop). We recently caught up with the West Coast-based pair to chat about their friendship with the fierce Mr. Siriano, how they came to be leaders of the anti-maternity fashion movement, and the future of the ever-expanding Moody Mamas empire.

As young designers in your 20s, why did you decide to start a maternity line?
We love all things fashion and feel that women should never be limited in their choices, no matter which phase of life they're in. We researched and spoke with thousands of women, and found that the options for trendy maternity clothes were pretty limited. So we chose to "take the frump out of the bump," and set out to give maternity fashion a sense of style. While we’ve never been pregnant or married ourselves, we're inspired by the life experiences unique to women, and wanted to provide solutions that celebrate femininity. We are proud to be one of the leaders in the maternity fashion revolution.

Why the name Moody Mamas?
Haha! Our culture often portrays women as being moody during pregnancy, so we wanted a play on the word, and to spin it into something positive and fun. We often hear from our customers how much our line brightens their own moods, so in the end it was a perfect fit!

When did you start working with Christian Siriano?
Marta attended a design program in London where she met Christian, and they quickly formed a friendship. We had already launched Moody Mamas, and Christian’s talents began to receive notice on Project Runway, which, of course, he ultimately won. As his trips would often bring him to Los Angeles, where we are based, conversations about a collaboration would surface, and it felt natural to involve him in the artistic development of our high-end line, which we appropriately titled "Fierce Mamas."

What designers do you look to for inspiration?
Obviously we are huge fans of Christian Siriano for his vision and talent, along with Diane von Furstenberg, Milly, and Alice + Olivia. Also, each season our collection is inspired from the runways, as well as fashion editorials from magazines. We're proud that we can offer women the chance to dress on-trend, even during pregnancy.

You’ve been called an "anti-maternity" line. Do you agree?
Absolutely—especially considering the negative connotations often associated with traditional maternity clothing: "dowdy," "plain," and "borrrring!" We believe in maternity fashion that evolves according to what women truly want—chic, stylish, beautiful pieces that are inspired by the runways. The response has been very positive.

Through your line and research, what clothes have you found that pregnant women crave most?
Dresses, dresses, and dresses! Pregnancy is such a special time in a woman’s life; as the body goes through changes, the silhouette of a dress allows a woman to show her new shape in a way that's both flattering and attractive. A pregnant belly should not be hidden behind a hideous muu-muu. Rather, it should be embraced in a piece that is both stylish and comfortable. We're also mindful that women often experience heightened skin sensitivity during pregnancy, so we only use high-quality, luxurious fabrics such as modal jersey, a favorite among expecting women because of its lightweight, soft, and velvety texture.

What are your best-selling pieces and why do you think they sell so well?
It’s always about the dresses, no matter the season! Women who are expecting love a frock that's both easy to wear and chic, particularly for special occasions like a baby shower, where they want to look their absolute best. Additionally, we offer a nursing lingerie line that is popular for its luxurious fabrics, which feel amazing on the skin. The concealed nursing slits are a great asset because they do not scream "nursing." Women love to pick these up for their hospital bags, as well as gift them at baby showers to their friends.

Have you ever spotted one of your designs on a stranger? If so, how did it feel?
It happens frequently, and the feeling of excitement and gratitude overwhelms us each time! Most recently, we spotted Christina Applegate wearing a Fierce Mamas dress on the day she announced her pregnancy to the world at the premiere of her movie, Cats and Dogs, and were thrilled! Every day when we enter our office, we imagine our customer standing in front of her closet figuring out what to wear, and it is our goal to fill it with beautiful pieces so that her pregnancy is one of the most pleasurable and enjoyable experiences, ever.

Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
Continuing as a leader in maternity fashion, and expanding to include diaper bags, baby clothes, and nursery items.

As the founder of Jubilee Tours and Travel Ltd 17 years ago, author of Travel Best Bets, and frequent guest on the TODAY show, Claire Newell knows all about the best destinations and how to get there in one, pulled-together piece. Her line of luggage (check out our sale here) incorporates must-have features for making the journey stress-free, including telescoping handles and easy-gliding wheels. So, as we plan late-summer getaways (and even full-fledged vacations!) who better to answer some of our most burning travel questions than Newell herself? From travel etiquette (look back before reclining your seat!) to organization (packing cubes are Newell’s secret weapon), even the most seasoned travelers can benefit from the travel guru’s innovative yet no-nonsense tips.

What's always on your travel check-list?
• Pashmina (works great as a pillow or blanket on the plane)
• Packing cubes (makes packing simple and keeps everything organized)
• Photocopies of all travel and identification documents (if anything goes wrong or is lost, makes the reissuing process easier)
• Wrinkle-proof, comfortable, yet fashionable clothes for the plane

What are some must-knows about keeping your wardrobe fashionable on the road? Are there packing tips, hotel secrets, etc. that will help keep your pieces looking like they just stepped out of your closet (and not your suitcase)?
• It is important to bring options that can go from day to night with a little bit of accessorizing or a shoe change. Black pieces tend to be the best options for this.
• It is fantastic that jersey material is fashionable now, as it is much less likely to wrinkle.
• There are many packing methods that prevent wrinkling in transit. Using packing cubes definitely help with this. There also bundling and layering with tissue paper.
• I also make sure to hang-up my more wrinkle prone pieces as soon as I get to the hotel room. The more time it has out of the suitcase, the more the likely the wrinkles are to shake out.

What are your secrets to stress-free flying?
• I always have something to keep me occupied. My iPhone is great because I can watch movies, listen to music etc.
• "Checking out" and being able to silence my surroundings is very important to me, so headphones are a must.
• Always book insurance. You will rest easier knowing you are protected.
• Check in early. You can do this online now, and it really makes the process much smoother.
• If you can, travel only with a carry-on. The eliminates waiting at the carousel, or the chance of the airline losing your luggage.

When you experience travel problems, as we all do, how do you cope?
• It is important to stay calm. Panicking will get you nowhere.
• This is why booking travel insurance is so important, it really acts like a lifesaver during the times you need it most.

What are your top travel etiquette tips?
I have some major pet peeves on this topic!
• Look back before reclining your seat. This way you give the person behind you some warning that you will be moving and their drink is less likely to end up in their laps.
• The person in the middle row gets access to both arm rests. This is only fair as they are the poor souls cramped in the middle.
• Do some research on the country you are traveling to before going there. Take a the time to brief yourself on key phrases and customs. This could save you some major embarrassment in destination.

What destinations are still on your travel wish list and why?
I would love to visit South America. Machu Piccu and its incredible history blows my mind. I would also love to see San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina.

What's been your own most memorable trip?
Volunteering in an orphanage in Jamaica with my family was life changing. Seeing my own children interact with the children there and knowing we were impacting their lives was beyond heart-warming.