Destination Maternity® To Partner With Lifestyle Expert And Designer Wendy Bellissimo

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Apr 15, 2014, 09:00 ET

PHILADELPHIA, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Destination Maternity Corporation (Nasdaq: DEST), the world's leading maternity apparel retailer, today announces a partnership with Wendy Bellissimo, the celebrated family lifestyle expert and designer. Known for her expertise in chic and sophisticated nursery decor and apparel that has garnered a loyal following of celebrity moms along with her established baby and children's clothing collections, Wendy marks her first foray into maternity wear with The Wendy Bellissimo for Destination Maternity^® Collection. The clothing and accessories line, offering a relaxed, California vibe inspired by the place Wendy and her family call home, is set to launch September 2014 at Destination Maternity^® and Motherhood Maternity^® stores nationwide.

Destination Maternity To Partner With Lifestyle Expert And Designer Wendy Bellissimo (PRNewsFoto/Destination Maternity Corp)

Wendy's signature boho-chic aesthetic and own wardrobe staples inform the collection which is designed to offer both comfort and style for moms-to-be. The collection features everyday, easy-wearing essentials like billowy maxi-dresses, layering tops, on-trend denim with double zipper front pockets, tribal-inspired sweaters, moto jackets and scarves. The pieces can be worn together for a head-to-toe look that is fresh and fashion forward or used as accent pieces that can be layered into both mom-to-be's maternity and existing wardrobes.

"In all of my designs, from home decor to clothing, I find a way to incorporate relaxed, approachable style elements without over complicating a look," said Wendy Bellissimo, CEO & Creative Director of Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc. "As a mother of four, I have the highest appreciation for the evolution of a woman's body during this transformational phase, and have always dreamed of creating a line of fashionable stand-out items that flatter an expecting woman but that includes special and meaningful pieces that will continue to be part of her rotation even after her baby is born. That dream has finally come to fruition through my work with Destination Maternity."

"Destination Maternity has long admired Wendy as a tastemaker, entrepreneur and mother," said Destination MaternityCorporation President Chris Daniel. "Her style and keen eye for selecting pieces that can transform a wardrobe into a personal statement are apparent throughout the collection and we look forward to sharing it with our style-savvy moms-to-be."

The 26-piece apparel and accessories collection will be available beginning September 2014 at Destination Maternity^® and Motherhood Maternity^® stores and online at www.DestinationMaternity.com. Apparel and accessories will range in price from $14 (scarf) - $48 (dress and jacket).

Join the conversation on Twitter with @DestinationMat, @MotherhoodMat, and @WendyBellissimo #WendyBMaternity.

About Wendy Bellissimo
Since 1998 Wendy Bellissimo has defined the idea that becoming a mom is an opportunity to enhance your own sense of style, not leave it behind. Stemming from her California family lifestyle, and built upon her traditional Connecticut roots, Wendy has cultivated a look that is a balance of chic, eclectic style with a certain ease that is always down-to-earth and attainable. Grown from an endeavor that began in her own living room, the Wendy Bellissimo brand is recognized today as a leader in family lifestyle with products at thousands of retail doors nationwide in diverse categories ranging from apparel to home furnishings. The mother of four daughters, aged nine to fourteen, Wendy runs all aspects of her company from her Southern California home with long-time business partner and husband Joe Bellissimo. For more information, visit www.WendyBellissimo.com.

About Destination Maternity^® Corporation
Destination Maternity Corporation is the world's largest designer and retailer of maternity apparel. In the United States and Canada, as of March 31, 2014, Destination Maternity operates 1,906 retail locations, including 578 stores, predominantly under the tradenames Motherhood Maternity®, A Pea in the Pod®, and Destination Maternity®, and 1,328 leased department locations, and sells on the web through its DestinationMaternity.com and brand-specific websites. Destination Maternity also distributes its Oh Baby by Motherhood® collection through a licensed arrangement at Kohl's® stores throughout the United States and on Kohls.com. In addition, Destination Maternity has international store franchise and product supply relationships in the Middle East, South Korea and Mexico. As of March 31, 2014, Destination Maternity has 32 international franchised locations, including 19 Destination Maternity branded stores and 13 shop-in-shop locations. As previously announced, the Company expects its first franchised locations in Mexico to open in Spring 2014, pursuant to its franchise agreement with El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V., the largest department store company in Mexico.