Award-winning designer creates beautiful nursing clothing

September 26, 2017

Award-winning designer and Gloucestershire mum creates beautiful clothing for nursing mothers

The Gloucestershire designer thought it was time women had a fashionable clothing option while breastfeeding. 

One woman grew so fed up with the lack of clothes for breast feeding mothers she decided to do something about it.

Charlotte Keating, 38, from the Forest of Dean, said: “I breastfed both of my children hence the passion to design clothes that help women breastfeed with ease, confidence and style.

"It helps mums overcome the many challenges of nursing and lowered post-partum body confidence and self-esteem with clothing that is both flattering and practical.”

Having created a the line of nursing clothing, Charlotte has remained dedicated to her community and has used nearby mothers mums as models, along with make-up artists, hairdressers, and photographers for her photo shoots.

She has also worked with local cafes to support breastfeeding mums.

Charlotte said: “I had a vision to produce clothing that was fit for function with well-placed nursing access and flattering fit for the post natal body.

“I designed, pattern cut and made my own samples to test on holiday and tested further designs with mums from my local ante and post natal mums groups.

“I asked various mums to test the products for me and I was backed by their input and enthusiasm for the products, I launched the brand, becoming one of the first and original companies specialising in nursing wear as opposed to maternity wear.”

Charlotte went to Southampton University where she achieved her BA Honours in Fashion Design.

Now she is settled in the Forest of Dean where she has lived in seven years.

Charlotte is married with two children who are nine and five-years-old.

She is the designer and director of Charlotte Keating England which has been up and running since 2001.

Primarily the company was a women’s wear and bridal wear company.

Charlotte said: “Mothers come looking for nursing wear once they start breastfeeding and realise the necessity of clothes specifically designed for breastfeeding in.

"Some mums adopt the ‘one up one down’ approach. This is when they can wear a vest they can pull down under a more blouson top they lift up.

“Other mums want to buy clothes that are specifically designed to offer breastfeeding access.

"When breastfeeding is a round the clock, and demanding activity for up to two years of your infant's life, buying clothes to fit in with this new mum lifestyle is an important step.”

Charlotte once supplied independent nursery boutiques with the nursing clothing range she sell’s the garments online through my own website as it helps keep the clothing more affordable and accessible for new mums.

Charlotte said: “Our ethos is to help mums breastfeed with confidence and nurse in style and promote the range by using real breastfeeding mums.

"These are usually friends of mine or local mums I've approached in the park.

“Nursing mums want to breastfeed discreetly and easily without getting half undressed to do so. Mums are active and not constrained to the home these days and need clothing to suit their modern lifestyle.

“Breastfeeding clothes makes dressing for the day a no brainer and with our boutique range, mums can feel comfortable and look great whilst breastfeeding their baby with confidence whenever the need arises.

"Our wardrobe staples can be easily paired with jeans and trainers or dressed up for working mums or special occasions.”

Charlotte has also teamed up with celebrity-endorsed CoppaFeel. 

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