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Home › Mom of the Month

Rita Faith Scott

By Kelly Burgess

Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a mother who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a woman and a mother. Above all, the Mom of the Month is dedicated to her children. Rich or poor, famous or not, she shines as an example of what mothering is all about.

Meet June's Mom of the Month, Rita Faith Scott, 49, a woman who has enough energy for two people – and that's a good thing because she's living a double life. She's a full-time engineer during the day and stylish entrepreneur by night. OK, it's not just by night, but her flair for fashion may just make Scott, 47, of Carson, Calif., a household name for moms-to-be.

Scott's elegant and feminine line of maternity clothing, Double Occupancy, has been featured on national television and will soon reach retail stores.

Even before Scott began designing this promising line of clothing, she was always going somewhere. Twenty-three years ago, she began working as an inspector on the production floor at a large defense contractor. As a divorced mother of two, she was motivated to work hard. At the same time, she went back to college to earn a business degree so she could move up in her work. Her dedication paid off and she was promoted to her current position as a quality assurance engineer with a salary that allows her to support her second business.

That second business actually got its start when Scott was pregnant with her children. She would make her own clothes and always got a lot of compliments on how cute they were. Then, about 10 years ago, when she was about to graduate with her bachelor's degree, she was trying to decide whether or not to go for her master's degree. Although she wanted to continue her education, she simply didn't feel that the courses she was taking were really what she wanted to do with her life.

All this was on her mind one day as she took a walk around Los Angeles during a break from jury duty. She just happened to walk by the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and the rest, as they say, is history.

"The building was so beautiful and as I walked by it was as if a light went on," Scott says. "I thought to myself, 'How wonderful it would be to do what I want to do.' And then I thought, 'Well, why not?'"

Scott enrolled at the fashion school and says what she learned there really helped her define her style. "Before [attending the school], I was just a person who sews," Scott says. "I loved to do it, but sometimes the things I would make didn't necessarily fit the pattern. One really important thing I learned at the Fashion Institute was what to make out of what fabric. Now I would define my style more as classy, conservative and feminine."

Building a Business

Shortly after Scott graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2001, her daughter, Theresa Austin, became pregnant. Naturally, Scott made all of her maternity clothes. That's when she realized that creating beautiful clothes for pregnant women was something she really loved to do.

"Theresa was definitely the inspiration for my line," Scott says. "She worked in an office and everyone just raved about the clothes she wore when she was pregnant. It had long been my dream to have my own line of clothes, and I saw maternity as a growing market. No one appreciates pretty clothes more than a pregnant woman."

Scott started publicizing her clothes by hosting a fashion show for charity featuring her new line. Since then, she's tried different approaches with varying degrees of success including her Web site, which features Scott's daughter, Theresa, as her model. Like any business, building a fashion business is trial and error. So far, though, it's been a steady rise and Scott is confident that her goal is reachable.

She also notes that she's lucky to have such a supportive family. She and her husband, James Scott, have been married for 13 years. "I feel I've been given a gift that I can give to other women," Scott says. "This is something that has been coming together for me for years, and I feel by keeping faith in God and in myself I can accomplish all my goals."

What to Wear for the Mom-to-Be

The following are some of designer Rita Faith Scott's Spring Fashion Tips:

  • Don't feel that you must give up your own sense of style for nine months!
  • Buy a good basic wardrobe in neutral colors (for example, white shirts, black pants and blue jeans) and then add pieces in fresh, bold spring colors.
  • Treat yourself to at least a few high-quality, designer garments. Whether it is a glamorous dress, classy business suit or funky shirt, you'll feel much more special.
  • Don't buy clothes that are too large. Don't be afraid to show your curves. Try them on before you buy; if you feel frumpy, don't buy it.
  • Accessorize. A beautiful necklace or bracelet can add style to the most basic of outfits.
  • Choose styles that emphasize what you want to show and hide what you don't. For example, V-necklines are flattering for a growing bust, flowing asymmetrical skirts help hide larger bottoms and knee-length skirts show off great legs.
  • Go shopping with an honest girlfriend.
  • Have fun and love your growing belly!