A woman's belly is like a cocoon when she's pregnant. At this time of "chrysalis", she waits for her baby to come into the world and spread its wings. At It's A Miracle, we love babies and butterflies because of the innocence and beauty they bring into the world.

Thank you for taking the time to shop at It's A Miracle Maternity and congratulations on your pregnancy! I'll share my story with you so that you get a better sense of what It's A Miracle Maternity is all about. I'm a fashion designer who has lived in NYC for almost 10 years. I completed an intensive program at Parsons School of Design, trained at F.I.T. and have a B.S. in Marketing. In late 2002, I moved to New York City from Northern VA to follow my dream of running my own fashion company. I had already launched an award-nominated ready-to-wear label, worked as a stylist & costume designer… but after seeing my friends and sisters struggle to find stylish and affordable maternity clothing, I decided to create a spin-off maternity label in 2003. I didn't have children of my own at the time to know what wearing maternity clothing was like, but I had a strong fashion sense- so I went for it. After much thought, I came up with the name "It's A Miracle" to describe how moms feel when they see their bundle of joy, but also because my first name is in it (do you see it?). Between the years 2003-06, the label became a popular maternity brand, especially my "Undercover" line of soft t-shirts with high necklines and long hems. Between two sales reps in New York City and Atlanta, I was shipping to over 60 stores and an It's A Miracle design was worn by CNN's Soledad O'Brien live on air.

Between 2004-05, I traveled to Afghanistan a few times to see if I could help create jobs for women by taking production there. I found out that logistically it would be too difficult, but what I did find is that the country has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. That haunted me when I returned – especially hearing stories about women walking for hours from their village to clinics to give birth. I couldn't imagine. Upon returning from those trips, I didn't want to own a business just to make money, I wanted to also make a difference – not just in the lives of women in Afghanistan, but those in need around the world. By 2009, I launched other ventures that support charitable or social causes: a retail site that supports artisans in poor countries, media projects to bridge unity between cultures, a socially responsible deals website for moms that also supports maternal health charities, and volunteer work with a foundation that supports maternal health programs. I was becoming a social entrepreneur. Despite the challenges starting-up and running these ventures during an awful economic downturn where funding was scarce and business wasn't always booming, I was determined not to give up.

Then in 2010, my own miracle came into my life – my daughter Elaina Rumi Rose was born. Being pregnant gave me a new understanding of maternity clothing – fabrics, cuts and styles that are stylish, yet comfortable, especially during that grueling third trimester. The worst part is that I dealt with an excruciating labor and difficult delivery where I almost lost my precious angel in the process….and I was in the care of top doctors in New York City! The concept of labor and delivery took on a whole new meaning for me. If it was this difficult for me – and I live in a modern country with access to top notch health care, I could NOT imagine how women in disadvantaged areas of the world do it. Who supports them? What kind of pain do they endure? Why does a mom die every 90 seconds during childbirth?

I am happy to say that I will be spending more time in Northern VA to raise my daughter and will re-launch It's A Miracle soon– this time with a mission and a cause. I dabbled with the idea of designing a new collection, but I realized that mothers in America are dealing with a difficult economy and may not want to pay full price on their maternity wardrobe. Personally, I love finding quality clothes at great prices, so it's exciting to make this transition. I'm looking very forward to combining my love of maternity fashions with my desire to make a positive impact on lives of pregnant women everywhere. It's A Miracle Maternity is now a designer maternity, nursing & baby resale and consignment e-boutique that carries gently owned and new brands. Even better, a percentage of sales will be donated to maternal health programs that we support. You can shop from the comfort of your home, save money, and feel good knowing your purchase will help save lives of other pregnant women around the world! After all, a woman's body changes when she's pregnant. Her style, and bank account… doesn't have to.

Thanks for taking the time to read this…. and enjoy your shopping experience!

Samira Atash
Founder – Designer - President
It's A Miracle Maternity


Me & my Elaina Rumi Rose (at 9 mos. old)

	2% percent of our sales are donated to charities that support maternal health programs around the world, including International Midwife Assistance.
	Purchasing gently used clothing is a green way to shop. Because you are buying products that are already worn or made, the manufacturing process (production, manufacturing, transportation) is eliminated. You are helping the environment because you are reducing the demand for new products.