Designer launches business to help moms

Mary Michele Little knows all about the spit up on all of your clothes.

She knows about those pre-pregnancy jeans that likely won't get worn again.

And the new time constraints that keep you from getting your hair cut or your brows waxed.

She also knows as a new or busy mom, finding that sense of style you had before the kids came along is tougher than getting the kids to eat their vegetables.

So the Raleigh fashion designer and style blogger has launched a new business to help out. Her new personal image consulting business called One Chic Mama targets moms and women in general who need help with a new look.

"My focus is on finding a women's personal style, whether it's designer or it's Target," she said. "It's about finding a look that works for her and finding a strategy for every day that will boost her confidence."

Little, who's a busy working mom herself with two kids under 5, came up with the idea after a few friends asked her for help pulling together a new style.

"I think at this point in my life, I really want to give back to moms," Little said. "Their needs are so different. We don't have the luxury of time. Once the baby comes out, life as you know it ceases to exist. Your life is not your own."

Services include color analysis, where Little finds clients 40 of their best colors to help make shopping easier. She also does personal image analysis to determine the best style shapes and clothing for individual figures. Clients get a manual that serves as a handbook that will tell them their best necklines or jewelry styles.

Little will help clean out closets, and she'll also shop for you. She also offers workshops and seminars on dressing for the office or image enhancement.

Services start at $125 an hour.

It's kind of a no-brainer move for Little, combining all of her work over the last two decades. Some of you may remember her clothing stores over the years, including her namesake store on Glenwood Avenue, where she sold her designs. Little also is the brains and muscle behind the Designers' Downtown Market (formerly the Crafter's Flea Market) in Raleigh. And most recently, Little's been writing a style blog aimed at moms and is a columnist in several parenting magazines, including Carolina Parent and Charlotte Parent.

Find her at www.onechicmama.com.

Around town

Ciao Bella in Cary's Arboretum shopping center is having a busy week of trunk shows. Look for the fall collection of Jon By Teri Jon on Tuesday. And on Thursday, the store will have a trunk show of accessories, including jewelry by Raleigh's MollyBeads, fur scarves, gloves, vests, cuffs and hats by Leafur, pearl and gem jewelry by Lucas Robert Designs, silver cuff bracelets by Mariposa Design, necklaces by Cosmopolitan Ladies Club and handbags by Anteprima-Nueve.

Consigning Design in downtown Cary is having a show at 12:30 p.m. Friday of designer women's clothing from consignors as far away as New York and Texas. Brands include Armani, Missoni, Fendi, Cole Haan, St. John, Dana Buchman, Max Mara, Ellen Tracy and Tahari.