Why fashion must get hip to needs of its working mothers

Many cite difficulties of juggling a family with job demands and a lack of industry support

A robot baby was an unlikely guest star on the catwalk at the Schiaparelli couture show in Paris earlier this year. Maggie Maurer, who had walked a few seasons previously while pregnant, and last year shared a snap of herself breastfeeding backstage, cradled the tot while wearing a defiantly baby-unfriendly, all-white outfit.

It was a surprisingly tender moment. I had the ability to bring it to life because my own child is that size," says Maurer, to give it nurturing ... came very naturally."