Baby may be a boom for Bowe
FASHION forward Tommy Bowe could be expanding his clothing range into the baby business following the birth of his first child. The Ulster rugby wing, 33, and his wife of two years, Lucy Whitehouse, became parents last Sunday to baby Emma, and are smitten with the new arrival. Tommy – who already designs children’s shoes – said that he’s just realised in the past few weeks that he could launch a new business with baby Bowe. ‘I just realised how many clothes babies go through in a short space of time, so you know, I wouldn’t rule out expanding the fashion line to cater for babies.’ The couple are revelling in their role as new parents and he admits that he is a hands-on dad. ‘I am over the moon with the birth of baby Emma. She is perfect and we are so lucky. My wife Lucy is incredible with Emma. Obviously, I’m very hands-on with Emma too. My injury hasn’t got me out of nappy-changing duty just yet.’ Tommy broke his ankle in the Six Nations last month. The couple had kept news of Lucy’s pregnancy under wraps. ‘We weren’t keeping it a secret on purpose, it just didn’t come into the media – but that wasn’t intentional. It was nice near the end of the pregnancy as there was no pressure, so we were very relaxed. Bowe and Whitehouse, a former Miss Wales who now works as a nurse, live in Belfast. Tommy is happy to be at home helping Lucy look after baby Emma for now but is also excited about his latest designs to hit Irish shops. His summer collection, XVKings Tommy Bowe Designs, is proving to be another hit for the designer, as are his Lloyd & Pryce range of shoes. But the winger says he is looking forward to some sunshine this summer.
‘We will hopefully take little Emma over to Wales to visit all of Lucy’s family over the summer and have a nice little family holiday,’ he said.