The event highlighted the brand’s commitment to locally sourced and produced products, showcasing a diverse range of items, including maternity wear, baby wear, sarees, lamps, diaper bags, baby slingers, accessories like loofahs and gaamchas, as well as pure honey and ghee. Love, Ma also partnered with La Mode to offer comfortable footwear for pre- and post-pregnancy needs, collaborated with 6 Yards Story on jewellery for mothers and kids, and displayed children’s illustrated books by Tanmoy Cartoons.
Additionally, the event featured meaningful conversations surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. Love, Ma’s co-founders Zeyran Mehrnush Juhie, a photographer and lyricist, and Saria Saguaro, a pastry chef, artist, and entrepreneur, led these discussions.
“Pregnancy opened my eyes to the neglected state of maternity and baby products in our country. We were left with the choice of buying from abroad
or making do with the limited options available locally. This scarcity encompassed not just maternity wear but also essential items like baby swaddles, diaper bags, and baby slingers. The absence of locally produced maternity and baby products prompted us to launch Love, Ma. Our maternity clothing is designed keeping comfort and breathability at the forefront, as pregnant women often grapple with temperature fluctuations due to hormonal changes,” explained Juhie. “We will customise clothes to accommodate individual preferences and needs. We also understand that style matters to mothers, and our designs are adaptable enough for home, office, and social settings, during and post pregnancy.”
As an expecting mother, Saria deeply felt the absence of local resources and safe spaces to address her concerns and seek guidance. Online groups for mothers provided a much-needed support system, and she sees Love, Ma going above and beyond to fulfil this need. “My personal journey involved switching gynecologists eight times to find one who respected my preference for a natural birth, while others persisted in recommending unnecessary surgeries. I was even prescribed medication only intended for women with a history of miscarriages. I have never had any, which I had clearly communicated to my doctors,” said Saria. “Locally, there’s a prevalent belief in C-sections as the default option, whereas natural births are the preferred method globally. Love, Ma is committed to dispelling these myths by fostering a conscious community of empowered mothers, connecting them with natural birth-supportive doctors, education experts, and early childhood care providers.”
Experts in various fields, including education, nutrition, and fitness, shared their insights and addressed common concerns, empowering parents with knowledge and support. Guest speakers included associate professor, activist, and endurance athlete Seuty Sabur, acclaimed actor and dentist Azmeri Haque Badhan, early childhood development specialist Nigharin Aresfin, writer and education researcher Farhana Mannan, and post natal fitness specialist Nazia Hassan.
The event’s ambiance was further enriched by musical performances by The Moonflower Project and Raef Al Hasan Rafa. Recognising the importance of fathers’ involvement, Love, Ma also hosted a Dad Club, providing a platform for fathers to engage and connect.
In Photograph (from left to right): Saria Saguaro & Zeyran Mehrnush Juhie, Co-founders, Love, Ma
Photograph: Najmul Haque Sagor