Chances are you’ve seen those stunning bump sculptures all over your feed, and yes, they’re from SkulptME, the brand turning pregnancy into actual art. At the heart of it all? The founder who’s making motherhood unforgettable (and seriously chic).
We caught up with the founder Emily Wood who’s behind SkulptME, to chat about how she brought the sculpting concept to life, what inspired her to turn bumps into bespoke keepsakes, and what it’s really like to build a brand that celebrates women in such a unique way.
So sit back, scroll on, and get to know the brand we can’t stop double-tapping, and the inspiring founder who made it all happen.
Cosmo ME: Was there a personal moment that led to SkulptMe’s creation, and what did those early days look like?
Emily: I’ve always considered myself a creative soul. Painting has been my passion for as long as I can remember, a quiet escape that evolved into a side hustle during the COVID-19 lockdowns. I never imagined that creativity would one day carry me through one of the most emotionally intense chapters of my life, my first pregnancy, or that it would lead me to start my own business.
From day one, pregnancy hit me hard. I was sick morning, noon, and night relentlessly, for the first 26 weeks. It was more than just nausea; it was completely debilitating. I felt like I had lost myself before I’d even fully grasped the joy of becoming a mother.
Then, at nine weeks pregnant, I traveled to the UK for a wedding, and everything changed. I suffered a serious bleed and was told we had lost the baby. It was devastating. However, our incredible doctor refused to accept the diagnosis and eventually gave us the most unexpected gift: confirmation that our little fighter was still alive.
From that moment, everything shifted. I became incredibly protective. I withdrew from the outside world, consumed by fear. I didn’t want to see anyone. I avoided cameras, skipped the typical “bump” photos, and couldn’t imagine dressing up for a maternity shoot. I just wanted to keep my baby safe. That was all that mattered.
At 31 weeks, the fear escalated again, and I went into early labor. It felt like a cruel twist of déjà vu. Once again, we braced ourselves for the worst. But somehow, with the support of our amazing medical team, labor was delayed. And in that small, quiet window of grace, the guilt set in.
I thought, If my baby comes now, what will I have to show her? No baby shower, no photos of my growing belly, no celebration of this journey, only anxiety and fear. That moment stirred something deep inside me. I needed to create something. Something real. Something I could hold onto forever.
That’s how SkulptMe was born.
Cosmo ME: Can you tell us a bit about your background – what were you doing before SkulptMe?
Emily: I worked in luxury cosmetics for 15 years, where attention to detail and exceptional service were everything. But I’d always felt a pull to create something of my own. Starting SkulptMe gave me a purpose that felt deeply aligned with who I am. Helping women capture their stories has been the most rewarding and fulfilling part of this whole process.
Cosmo ME: Once the idea for SkulptMe was born, how did you take it from concept to reality?
Emily: There was a lot of research involved, especially into tech, which was a really daunting world for me, completely unfamiliar and overwhelming. I stumbled through countless mistakes, some painfully expensive, but my resolve never faltered. This wasn’t just about me. It was about creating something sacred for my daughter, a keepsake of strength and love. And it was for every person who has faced their own battles with courage and resilience, deserving to carry their story in their hands.
Cosmo ME: Starting something from scratch is never easy – what were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you work through them?
Emily: There have been, and continue to be, many challenges. I’m a bit of a perfectionist (okay, a lot of one!), and I tend to zero in on the tiniest details. It’s just how I’m wired. I’ve always believed that if you’re going to do something, you should do it with everything you’ve got, fully, passionately, or not at all.
That mindset has served me well, but it’s also made patience one of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn. In the world of start-ups, things go wrong. Mistakes get made. Budgets get stretched. Plans change. And sometimes, it feels like more is going wrong than right. But every challenge, every stumble, has helped shape both me and the business. It’s not perfect, but it’s real. And it’s being built with heart, intention, and a whole lot of love.
Cosmo ME: How do your personal values guide the way you create and connect with clients?
Emily: SkulptMe was born from my own experience of pregnancy, and that deeply personal journey shapes every part of what I do. I know how sacred this time is, how fleeting, and how much it means to want to hold onto it. So when someone chooses me to create something so meaningful, I don’t take that lightly.
Trust is everything in this process. Clients are opening up one of the most personal chapters of their lives, and I feel a huge responsibility to honour that with care, respect, and attention to every detail.
My values are simple: treat people how I’d want to be treated. Provide a service with the same care I’d hope to receive. Deliver a product that I’d be proud to own myself. I’m always putting myself in my clients’ shoes, imagining how it feels from their side. And yes, that can mean I overthink or take longer than I should. But it also means that everything I send out into the world has been made with real thought, emotion, and care.
Cosmo ME: Has there been a particular sculpture or client story that really stayed with you – one that felt especially meaningful?
Emily: So many client stories have touched me deeply and stayed with me, miracle babies, IVF journeys, stories of loss, and incredible resilience. One story that stands out is a client who was on her sixth pregnancy after five previous losses. This time, she was able to bring her beautiful, healthy daughter into the world. Every day, she now looks at her Skulpt and is reminded of just how amazing she is. Her little girl will grow up knowing her mother is truly a superwoman, and for me, that’s what makes this work so profoundly meaningful.
Cosmo ME: Running a business that’s so close to people’s identities can be intense. How do you stay grounded? Any go-to self-care rituals or non-negotiables?
Emily: As a soon-to-be mum of two under two, plus two stepchildren, my non-negotiable is putting family first. You can earn all the money in the world, but without the people you love most to share it with, it means nothing. Time is truly the most precious asset we have, and I cherish mine above all else and that’s what keeps me grounded.
Cosmo ME: What’s one thing you’ve learned since starting SkulptMe that you wish you’d known from day one?
Emily: Patience! Starting a business is tough; if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. The key is to have clear objectives and tackle them one step at a time. But don’t get caught up in obsessing over every tiny detail, or you’ll never even begin. You’ve got to take the leap. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, seek feedback, or reach out for help. Sometimes, the missing piece is right in front of you, but others can see it more clearly.
Cosmo ME: And finally, what’s next? Any exciting plans for SkulptMe that you can share?
Emily: Right now, growing SkulptMe and sharing it with more people across the Middle East and beyond is my focus. While pregnancy will always hold a special place, it’s not our only focus. We’re all about capturing people at their best, at any stage of their journey. That’s something you’ll see come to life in the months ahead.
Expecting? Or know someone who is? This one’s for you: Baby Shower Gift Guide: All the Things the Mum-to-Be Will Actually Want.