Rihanna has reportedly given birth. While her pregnancy might be over, the way she dressed her bump is bound to remain an inspiration for women the world over — and can even influence those who follow more modest codes of fashion, including this writer.
I’m currently in the second trimester of my second pregnancy. As my stomach grows larger, I’m looking at the maternity wardrobe from my first pregnancy with fresh, uninspired eyes. It basically comprised a pair of black Lululemon leggings, two sizes up, oversized boyfriend shirts and T-shirts bought from the men’s section of stores, along with a handful of voluminous maxi dresses.
Euphemistically, my former maternity wardrobe could be described “effortless tomboy” or “cottagecore chic”. In reality, I now think it was boring, baggy, unfestive and unflattering.
It sure was in stark contrast to Rihanna’s wardrobe. The musician and entrepreneur swathed her baby bump in strands of sequins, negligees, latex cropped tops and, sometimes, little more than belly chains or layers of chunky necklaces. While Rihanna’s maternity style was skin-baring, sexy and far from what I’d ever wear due to my own modesty guidelines, her approach of celebrating her bump, rather than hiding it, is nonetheless rubbing off on me.
So when I stepped into Zara this week, I purchased a form-fitting dress that gathers on the side that accentuate my bump while still covering my shoulders and ankles. It hangs in festive hues of tangerine and lime, both shades that radiate positivity and optimism — feelings that I hope to embody.
Pregnancy is, after all, a transformative stage filled with emotional ups and downs, not to mention an expanding body that can cause insecurities, frustrations and fitting challenges. Clothing that makes you feel good while also radiating confidence can be an instant mood-lifter, helping you wear your pregnancy with positivity, pride and gratitude.
Women who would rather not bare their skin can, nonetheless, take cues from Rihanna’s bold approach to maternity fashion, combining current style trends with the level of coverage they feel comfortable with.
Wrap dresses, for instance, may be a traditional maternity and post-pregnancy staple, but why not opt for one in a striking hue of Valentino pink or Bottega green, instead of overdone, matronly prints?
One can also look beyond oversized cotton T-shirts for day-to-day wear. Tops and dresses crafted from plisse textures and ribbed jerseys are all over the high street, and these textiles give shape and form. They’re also a great base for layering — if a ribbed design is too clingy for you, throw an unbuttoned shirt or shacket on top for extra coverage.
On-trend nap dresses, meanwhile, can be worn belted at the waist to give the body some shape, offering a happy marriage between comfort and style.
With so much talk about the “Covid baby boom,” I am hoping retailers will be motivated to amp up their maternity fashion marketing. The retail category is forecasted to reach $24.5 billion by 2025 according to MarketWatch, and thanks to the influence of Instagram culture and celebrities, brands are likely to become more trend-conscious when designing their maternity wear.
Yet, pregnant women should also know their wardrobes need not be limited by the “maternity” tag — and that they can easily still wear garments from a store’s regular range.
My plans this weekend include scouring the malls and my favourite online shopping sites for more fitted maternity tees that show off my bump, rather than oversized menswear that makes me look bulkier and boxier.
A sucker for a prairie dress, I’m seeking out silhouettes with flattering empire-waistlines a la Bridgerton, instead of shapeless sacks. I’m finding ways to be both feminine and modest while embarking on this new chapter of my motherhood journey.
So while our personal styles and aesthetics might be miles apart, I can certainly credit Rihanna for making me see maternity fashion in this new — and frankly empowering — light.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
On sale: now
Full list of Emmy 2020 nominations
LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Don Cheadle, Black Monday
Ted Danson, The Good Place
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
Ramy Youssef, Ramy
LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christina Applegate, Dead to Me
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me
Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
Issa Rae, Insecure
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
OUTSTANDING VARIETY/TALK SERIES
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jason Bateman, Ozark
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Steve Carell, The Morning Show
Brian Cox, Succession
Billy Porter, Pose
Jeremy Strong, Succession
LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Olivia Colman, The Crown
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Laura Linney, Ozark
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
Zendaya, Euphoria
OUTSTANDING REALITY/COMPETITION PROGRAM
The Masked Singer
Nailed It!
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Voice
LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Jeremy Irons, Watchmen
Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
Paul Mescal, Normal People
Jeremy Pope, Hollywood
Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
Shira Haas, Unorthodox
Regina King, Watchmen
Octavia Spencer, Self Made
Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere
OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
Little Fires Everywhere
Mrs. America
Unbelievable
Unorthodox
Watchmen
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Dead to Me
The Good Place
Insecure
The Kominsky Method
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Schitt’s Creek
What We Do In The Shadows
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Better Call Saul
The Crown
The Handmaid’s Tale
Killing Eve
The Mandalorian
Ozark
Stranger Things
Succession
SPEC%20SHEET
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Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
TO%20CATCH%20A%20KILLER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDamian%20Szifron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Ben%20Mendelsohn%2C%20Ralph%20Ineson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
