The Story of Lissie Lingerie

Lissie Lingerie came to me as a nameless idea back in 2018. At the time, I was living and working in Belfast, chasing a career in the hospitality industry, with no intention of ever having my own company. The seed was first planted during a shopping trip to Boux Avenue, where I couldn’t buy a bra to fit my size 32 J bust. At the time, a G cup was the biggest size on the shelf, and I wanted to wear nice, colourful and stylish lingerie, so I bought the G cup bra anyway. I was desperate to find lingerie that fitted my large bust and aligned with my taste as a young woman, sadly, this was always a challenge.

I was fitted into an E cup at the ripe age of 13, this letter came as quite a shock, to the point where I cried (and cursed my family's heritage of fuller busted ladies). I was soon introduced to the beige wall of fuller busted bras, a wall that I'm sure too many of us have been familiar with. My size has fluctuated over the years, from a 30 E, to a 30 F, 32 GG, 32 J, a 36 JJ and now a 34 K, so I know this beige wall all too well. Ten years had passed since that fateful day, and I found myself standing in the Boux Avenue changing room, squeezing myself into a red lace 34 G bra, asking myself again: why? Why can't I get my size in anything other than a beige, white or black parachute? Could anything be done about it?

Over time, what I thought was a good business opportunity grew into the idea of me having a large cup and plus size lingerie business of my own, and I started to think about it every single day. In 2020, this is when things changed for me, as they would for everybody on our planet. The Global Pandemic and countless lockdowns allowed me to take stock of my life, and really think about this idea that I had been quietly obsessing over for the last two years. It was then that I decided I wanted to make a go of it. A year later, Lissie Lingerie was born.

From purchasing my first Domain in 2021, the real work didn’t begin on Lissie for a further 2 years. In the meantime, I had left the hustle and bustle of hotels to work for my Dad, who is also a business owner, and one of my biggest supporters and role models. As much as I enjoyed working for him, I wasn’t really passionate about the job, and was left wanting more from my career. I’m not sure if it’s sad to admit, but I absolutely love to work, and I get so much enjoyment and fulfilment doing something I genuinely care about, but that’s just me!

Whilst working for my dad, I began to research and plan for Lissie. I knew I wanted an online shop, as the reach to customers is further and the rates to run the business would be lower. I knew that I wanted to sell large cup and plus size lingerie, and I knew that I didn’t have any prior experience in the field whatsoever, but this wasn’t a barrier for me. I made it my job to learn about the industry, the history of lingerie, competitors, I crawled so many websites, decided what I wanted to sell, and lastly, the exciting job of picking a company name.

The name Lissie Lingerie can be credited to a lady whom I had the pleasure to work with, Sally, who sadly isn’t with us anymore. Sal had a pet name for everybody in the office, and mine just so happened to be Lissie, or Liss. Coming up with an appropriate name was difficult at first, and I didn’t want to use my own name directly, but after some time thinking, Lissie Lingerie had a nice ring to it. Having some of my likeness in the company name was important to me, as the company was born from my own personal frustrations, and I wanted to be a part of the solution, not only for my problem, but a problem that a lot of people face. I’m pleased and proud that I get to carry on the legacy of Sally, a gentle, kind and caring woman, who is sorely missed and remembered fondly.

I have been working on Lissie Lingerie full time since December 2023. It was then that I finally took the first big step for the business, 6 years after the initial thought, I left my job and signed a website proposal agreement. At long last, the website was being built! I knew that I wanted a custom built bespoke website, and not one on a platform such as Shopify, Wix, WordPress etc, because I wanted to give the website the best chance it could get to be found organically. I believe that I have truly found the best people for the job, and I cannot wait to see how the website performs and evolves in years to come.

Starting a business has been a whirlwind of emotions. I am an incredibly lucky girl, I have the most supportive circle of people around me, and it would be unfair not to mention how amazing they have been since I embarked on this journey. The success of this business is going to be as much of their triumph as it is mine. I am constantly being supported and uplifted (from more than just my bra on this occasion) by my family, friends and partner. They keep my feet on the ground when my head is in the clouds, food in my belly, a netflix subscription on the telly, my spirits high, and most importantly, a roof over my head, and I can’t wait to repay the favour in time.

Naturally, I’ve had to make some sacrifices to make Lissie happen, some small and some big, but all without a second thought. Anywhere I can save money I will, I’ve liquidated assets into cash (vinted has really been my best friend) I’ve pulled all my savings, and sold my car to make it happen. I’m in a very privileged position where I can survive through the help of those closest to me, and have the opportunity to fully commit to this business, something I am grateful for everyday.

Since I went ahead with having the website built, everything has been a blur. So much has happened in such a short space of time. I’ve secured an office which has been transformed into Lissie HQ, equipped with space for a computer, as well as shelves for all my stock. I’ve attended a Fitting Academy with Panache, travelled for trade shows to look at the new season lines, purchased stock, created the initial website designs, finalised P&P, and started my social media channels, where I’m gradually building a community of like minded and supportive people.

Looking back on these last few months feels like I’m watching a movie about somebody else’s life. It has felt like a dream, but has also been a massive adjustment, specifically learning how to prioritise jobs, stay motivated and learn how to switch off (which is proving very hard). I am quite literally obsessed with Lissie Lingerie. I am in love with what I am doing, and I really hope that it translates into every part of the business.

Although it’s just myself working on Lissie, I’ve never felt alone. I’m still blown away by the reception from the people I've met within the industry, brand reps, shop owners, customer service teams, the list goes on. In July 2023, I travelled from Scotland to Solihull to attend the INDX Intimate Apparel show, and was both very nervous and very green. I went to ask questions, get an idea of minimum order quantities, formally meet the brands I wanted to stock, and get my name out there. 

At INDX, I was met with so much kindness and acceptance from everybody who I spoke to, so much so, it made me emotional (dramatic, I know) but, then again, my background was in hospitality, a notoriously ruthless Industry where I was often looked down on and not taken very seriously, especially as a young woman. Attending INDX made me feel elated, boosted my confidence massively and affirmed that I was on the right path. The people I met that day made a huge impact on me, so much so, I am proud to be a part of the industry, and I’m just getting started.

There is still so much to do and to learn, learn about the products, learn about business, and learn about the customer. The Lissie Lingerie website is set to Launch this spring, where we will stock a range of brands that are known and loved, including Elomi, Panache, Freya, Fantasie, Cleo, Wacoal and Sculptresse, with the ultimate goal to one day have our own full cup and plus size line to call our own.The site will also offer fitting advice, style guides, blog posts and a rewards system, Lissie VIP. 

As the business grows, our brand lineup and size range will grow with us. We have 112 sizes to start us off. Our initial stock is made up of best sellers in a mix of continuity colours, with new season colour ways and styles being added as the year goes on. Our initial stock has a range of bras which go up to a K cup, I’m a K cup so I understand how difficult it can be to find a bra in that size! We are starting with Lingerie only, and in time will add Swimwear, Activewear, Post Surgery, Maternity and accessories. The plan is to reinvest over and over so we are left with an incredible range for our customers!

Lissie Lingerie, Large Cup & Plus Size Lingerie is an online shop for anybody who’s body has been made to feel like an afterthought, for anybody who struggles to shop for a bra that fits, and for anybody who dreads the thought of “I need a new bra”. I want to help anybody who needs a bra feel accepted, and that shopping for their body shouldn’t be a chore. I’m hoping to contribute to the banishment of the beige wall, and help build a space where variety is available to everyone.

Education is going to play a massive role within my job. As we all know, the majority of us aren’t wearing the correct size, and are living in discomfort on a daily basis. Social media has been an amazing tool to help try and combat this, and has given me the opportunity to ask our customer base what issues they are having. Receiving feedback and being able to educate at the same time is working out to be a fantastic formula, and I hope it can bring the excitement of new lingerie day back to so many women who, sadly, don’t have that feeling anymore.

It is only the beginning, which is both an exciting and daunting place to be. I have big plans for Lissie Lingerie. It can be overwhelming to think about how high up the mountain we have to climb, especially looking up from the bottom when you can’t even see the top yet. It’s time to get the blinkers on and take it one step at a time. Watch this space!