The French designer Jean Patou was born on 1887 in Normandy, France. His first job was in a small dressmaking shop, Parry, before World War I. He produced his first collection in 1914. In 1919, after serving as Captain of Zouaves during the war, he returned to the fashion industry and opened his own couture house.

Patou's involvement in the evolution of sportswear is extensive, its influence, rather obvious. Clothes were made to be beautiful yet comfortable, functional and simple, with accents limited to seam linings and embroideries, as exemplified by his creation of the cardigan. He developed a fabric for swimwear that resists shrinkage and is non-colorfast. He also invented the knitted swimsuit and tennis skirt. His collection was publicized by famous names such as Wimbledon tennis star Suzanne Lenglen and American aviator Ruth Elder. Women of the 1920s started to imitate this sporty look even if they did not engage in sports.

Patou's vision of the ultimate sportswear collection was realized when he opened Le Coin des Sports, a boutique in Paris that catered to all sorts of sportswear, including accessories. He extended these shops to Deauville and Biarritz, both popular resort areas to travelers.

Patou proved to be a pioneer in ways more than one. In the 1920s, he invented designer ties made from women's dress and the famous cubist sweaters. He is accounted for the first designer label that he had sewn to his designs. He was able to produce exclusive colors through a special dyeing method so as to eradicate competitor replicas. In 1929, he raised the waistline of the skirt and brought it back to its natural hemline - a move that Chanel followed through quickly.

He traveled to the United States in 1924 where he hired six American models and brought them to France to work as mannequins. The American silhouette became a point of emulation for French women and therefore helped boost Patou's sales in addition to the extra profit that scarves, hats and accessories brought to him. It also paved the way for his fame in the American community, which was its target market, aside from a few wealthy French clients.

The House of Patou was created in 1925. It featured his perfume collection, the one element that survived it during the Great Depression when the fashion business crashed. It was in 1935, at the peak of the Depression, that the fragrance Joy was designed by Henri Almeras for Patou's former clients. The floral scent of Joy would create an indelible imprint in the fashion industry decades later.

In 1936, Patou died. His sister, Madeleine and her husband, Raymond Barbas took over the House of Patou so that it remains in family hands until now. By 1982, Parfums Patou was built in London, Milan, Geneva, Australia and Hong Kong. The year 1998 saw the rise of Jean Patou into the forefront of the fragrance industry. Aside from its own line of perfumes, the company was also made a distributor of Hubigant's Quelques Fleurs, and the developer/seller of Yohji Yamamoto's perfumes. However, it is still Joy, the world's most costly fragrance that Patou is best known for. Joy perfume gained recognition as the "Scent of the Century" in UK's Fifi Awards in 2000, outweighing long-time opponent, Chanel No.5. Following the success of Joy, the company introduced fragrances Lacoste and Nacre in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

A tip from me when choosing jeans - stay with your regular AUS size unless indicated on the product description, if you choose the bigger size you may find them too big in the bottom and thighs, and will be hitching them up all the time, as most maternity jeans sit underbelly. The jeans may feel a little snug at first but remember that the denim will give with each wear and wash.

OV500- Invisibelly Maternity Jeans by 1 in the Oven

STYLE: bootleg cut, low waist, hipster jeans, full front panel styling

FAB jeans by 1 in the Oven. Over six months in front panel during the later weeks to help ease back pain.

They are low waisted jeans though and the back is quite low but if you are used to wearing hipster styles then you will LOVE these.
Read testimonials and see more pics here


SER0002 - Seraphine Straight Leg Black Jeans

STYLE: straight leg, side panel styling, low waisted jeans

They fit under the bump with a front opening zip, looking just like regular jeans. The discreet stretchy sides will fit you comfortably from 1 to 9 months. The back just looks like your regular jeans and they sit slightly higher than the award winning jeans above.

If you don't like the pressure of front panel styling on your tummy then side panels are for you! The same comfortable fit as the award winning jeans above.
Read testimonials and see some pics by going to http://www.queenbee.com.au/content.aspx?Dyn=true&pageID=14

SER0008 - Seraphine Boyfriend Jeans

STYLE: straight loose leg fit, side panel styling

Great to disguise curves and flatter your bottom, the expert cut of this jean will really do wonders to your silhouette. Low waist, they fit under the bump with very discreet stretchy panels on both sides of the front pockets.

These are quite a generous fit. In comparison with the Award Winning Jeans SER0001, the denim is very lightweight and softer, also great for those who don't like the firmness of underbump waistband styling as the front of the jeans is just like regular jeans.
Read testimonials and see some pics by going to http://www.queenbee.com.au/content.aspx?Dyn=true&pageID=14

JNS110 - Crave Pull On Jeans

STYLE: bootleg cut, front panel styling, low rise

In comprison with the Seraphine jeans - it is the same styling but the Crave jeans are about 1" higher in the waist and sit higher at the back (you can see the difference in the pics if you look where my belly button is). Great for those who aren't used to the low waist hipster jeans and feel they are always hitching their jeans up!

The Seraphine jeans are a dark blue washed softer denim, while the Crave are just a very dark blue denim but will get softer and fade slightly with each wash + wear!
* Unfortunately this style has been discontinued so grab one while you can!! *
Read testimonials and see some pics by going to http://www.queenbee.com.au/content.aspx?Dyn=true&pageID=14


JNS130 - Crave Distressed Denim Jeans

STYLE: bootleg cut, soft washed dark blue denim, side panel styling

Fabulous fit maternity jeans in a very soft distressed dark denim wash - looks just like your regular jeans from behind. Button fly fastening, 5 pocket styling and side panel elasticised waistband - plenty of support for your growing belly.

For those who can't do hipsters these jeans have complete rear/bottom coverage when bending over! They sit quite high at the back and underbelly at the front.
Read testimonials and see some pics by going to http://www.queenbee.com.au/content.aspx?Dyn=true&pageID=14

JNS140 - Crave Vintage Straight Leg Jeans

STYLE: straight leg cut, front panel styling, dark blue denim wash

These are exactly the same as JNS110 but with straight leg styling. Available in regular or long length. Please definitely order a size bigger as this style is a small cut.
Read testimonials and see some pics by going to http://www.queenbee.com.au/content.aspx?Dyn=true&pageID=14

MJ01/MJ02 - MamaJ Classic Denim Maternity Jeans

STYLE: bootleg cut, dark blue denim wash, clever side panel styling, back adjustable button, low waist

The ultimate boutique maternity jean from MamaJ Jeans! High quality denim that doesn't sag or get stiff after washing. Low waist, 5 pocket hipster styling. Slimming design which also lengthens the body. If you are looking for a trendy jean that you can wear even after pregnant then this one is for you! The side panels are very discreet. Worn by celebs such as Bec Cartwright, Mirando Otto and Rachel Griffiths!
Read testimonials and see some pics by going to http://www.queenbee.com.au/content.aspx?Dyn=true&pageID=14


MJ03/MJ04 - MamaJ Cargos (forest/black)

STYLE: low waist styling, discreet back elasticised waistband

Cool, hip designer cargos from MamaJ. High quality stretch drill cotton fabric. Low waist, 5 pocket hipster styling. Super comfy stretch fabric - an essential wardrobe item - these comfort cargos will take you from casual to sporty to evening.
Read testimonials and see some pics by going to http://www.queenbee.com.au/content.aspx?Dyn=true&pageID=14

OV139 - 1 in the Oven Essential Black Pants

STYLE: foldover stretch waistband, the boutique yoga pant!

I LOVE these pants and have been living in them everyday of my pregnancy! I lightened the picture to show the detail of the ruched waistband - totally adjustable so you can wear it over belly or underbelly to suit your mood. The fabric is soft MODAL cotton/spandex which won't pill or fade and stretches back into shape after each wash.

Perhaps not dressy enough for corporate work places, but you will live in these every day especially after bub is born. I'll be sure to pack these for my hospital stay!! 10 stars **********
Read testimonials and see some pics by going to http://www.queenbee.com.au/content.aspx?Dyn=true&pageID=14


FM020 - Funmum Bengalin Trousers

STYLE: bootcut leg, foldover waistband, bengalin stretch fabric

These are highly recommended for work at a great price of $78.95 AUD! - the fabric is soft, stretchy bengalin (with a very slight sheen). The top of the pants is the same fabric which can be worn over or underbelly. Stay with your regular size as they are a slightly loose fit.
Read testimonials and see some pics by going to http://www.queenbee.com.au/content.aspx?Dyn=true&pageID=14