BABU design and sell a range of fabulous t-shirts for mums to be. When Katy Ellis’ friends became pregnant and couldn’t find any funky maternity clothes, the concept for BABU was born.

BABU t-shirts celebrate pregnancy and do not try to hide it. Their range of contemporary, quirky designs focus on the bump and are teamed with slogans such as ’Tall Oaks from Small Acorns Grow’ and ’Chicken or Egg?’. My favourite is the ’Bun in the Oven’ t-shirt (above). Katy’s fascination with butterflies is also evident throughout.

The t-shirts come in a range of colours and sizes and stretch to over 100%, which means that they will grow with you during your pregnancy. They are made from the finest quality blend of cotton and lycra. You can also choose between short sleeves and 3/4 length sleeves.

Babu maternity t-shirts are available to buy online from www.lovebabu.com. They make fabulous gifts for mums to be and you can also send a gift card.

Siobh?n is a portrait painter who works from her studio at The Watermark in Preston. She produces a number of ‘non-traditional representations of people for their homes’. Her figurative lanterns have a practical and aesthetic purpose. As well as functioning as traditional lamps, they are also unique and innovative pieces of art. Siobh?n works with her subjects at her studio, to ‘cut’ their likenesses into her lanterns.

One of Siobh?n’s recurring themes is time and the passing of time. This is demonstrated through her atmospheric ‘Timed Landscapes’. Again these paintings serve a dual purpose. From a distance they are stunning landscapes representing the unchanging scenery. However, close up you can see the ‘ghostly’ figures drawn into the paintings, representing the memory of time spent there.

For further information on Siobh?n and her work, please visit www.siobhan-images.com. Commissions are welcomed.

art&sole Scholl sandals are not your run-of-mill fashion statement. They have been described as a ‘work of wearable art’. art&sole began in 2004 and secured an exclusive license with Scholl to sell their hand-painted sandals in the UK. Their talented team of artists are constantly creating new designs, inspired by the trends of the season.

As well as their signature designs, they also offer a bespoke service. If you have a favourite handbag or scarf their artists will match the design for you and even inscribe a brief personal message.

The Pescura original design (shown above) exercise your feet and give your legs a workout as you wear them!

art&sole sandals are sold direct through www.boutiquetoyou.co.uk.

Every time Emma Gordon brings out a new range, I get really excited. If you take a look at her website, you’ll see why. She designs the most beautiful handbags and she has a real eye for detail. From stylish clutch bags to glamorous shoppers, these are the bags you would buy for your best friend.

‘Emma Gordon London handbags are all about sophisticated femininity. Each bag is handmade by her. She uses wools and cotton twill outers teamed with delicate chiffon frills and sweet lingerie trims and her bags always include a charming patterned lining. Inspirations include the innocent quirkiness of Amelie and the light-hearted glamour of Holly Golightly in ’Breakfast at Tiffany’s’.

Emma aims to create the perfect bags for smart girls who love that extra special bit of glamour.’

Emma Gordon handbags are available to buy online at www.emmagordon.co.uk.

I met Angela Hulme and Gordon Cullerne in 2004, shortly after they arrived back from living in Sydney. The Me & Yu label was launched in 2003, when they began selling hand-made and hand-painted clothing at Bondi Beach Fashion Market.

‘Me & Yu specialise in hand-made and hand-printed menswear and womenswear designs. Designers Gordon and Angela are a boyfriend-girlfriend team that between them have a background in fashion, graphics, art and photography. Each design is worked on by both of them to produce a range that combines all these elements. Only limited number are made of each design and no two are ever exactly the same, as each garment has special finishing touches like hand-embroidery, appliqu?, printed pictures and messages.

Both menswear and womenswear from Me & Yu combine bold colours and strong graphic elements. As well as the unisex range of printed t’s, womenswear mixes in bright vintage prints, antique lace and buttons with a range of hand-made clothes with their own special feel. Menswear re-invents with print appliqu? and embroidery to give classic garments a unique twist.’

You can find Me & Yu at Manchester Fashion Market (Tib Street, Manchester) every Saturday 10am - 5pm and Liverpool Heritage Market (Stanley Docks, Regent Road, Liverpool) every Sunday 9am - 4pm.

Me & Yu garments will shortly be available online from www.meandyu.com.