‘I’ve made a fortune out of big boobs’: Woman who struggled to find a bra to fit her H-cup breasts is making a mint after starting a plus-size lingerie firm
Nicole Kanjere was bullied because of her big boobs, so decided to do something to help others in her position
A WOMAN who was brutally bullied because of her huge boobs has set up a bra business for large-breasted women in the hope of making their lives easier.
Nicole Kanjere, from Croydon, struggled to find any underwear to fit her H-cup boobs when she was growing up.
The 23-year-old graduate grew sick and tired of being forced into “ugly” sets which did nothing to contain her assets, so she took matters into her own hands.
“All my life I could never find matching knickers and bras that fitted,” she said.
“The bras I did find were poorly made, never fit me properly and were out of date trend wise – always in ugly white jersey or black.
“In fact, things were so bad I was bullied because of my breast size.
“Around the age of 15 I was a D cup and by the age I was 18 I was an H cup.
“When you are a teenager with large breasts and no proper fitting bra you become a target and naturally I was embarrassed because of my chest size.
“I was an easy target for girls and boys who liked to pick on anyone who was the slightest bit different.”
Despite the cruel taunts, even when she was a teenager Nicole knew there were other women who were suffering like her.
“I’d see other girls with large breasts being targeted and walking down the street I’d see women who were plus size with large breasts clearly not wearing a bra because they couldn’t get one or couldn’t afford one,” she said.
“I guess even way back then my business idea was born.”
After she left university with a degree in business and human resources, Nicole began to think more about her situation.
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She had never been able to find a bra and knickers set which was young, feminine and fit her properly – plus she realised she had wasted a small fortune on poorly-fitting undies over the years.
Nicole had never managed to find a bra which enhanced her shape in a T-shirt, and after she discovered the average UK chest size is a DD cup she realised there was a gap in the market.
“Talking to other women who couldn’t get a proper bra, or a bra that made them feel sexy or beautiful because their breasts had grown past the national average or worse still when they did find a bra it was so expensive they simply couldn’t afford it inspired me,” she said.
“I decided to set up my own business offering women affordable and luxury bras and lingerie for big breasts.
“I also wanted to ensure that no matter what size down below some women can be a size 10 knickers but need a J bra, could get proper sets.
“I wanted to set up a business that was my own and that I was passionate about and I knew if I couldn’t find a bra then thousands of other women were in the same position.
“I knew there was a business in big breasts.”
Nicole went on the Prince’s Trust’s Enterprise Course and ended up being offered business support for two years, a mentor and access to workshops.
Eventually she was ready to launch her brand , which offers bras up to 42J and knickers in a thong, pantie or boxer up to size 22 or 3XL.
She spent a long time researching stockists, with her pieces priced between £16.90 and £42.
“I also stock bras in specific materials in an M-Cup and if women have breasts bigger than that I can have bras specially made,” she added.
Despite not being going long, the businesswoman has been overwhelmed by how well her company has been received.
“Women who were tiny on the bottom but big on top were relieved to find me and women who were plus size all over were thrilled to have a choice of bras and knickers that matched,” she said.
“Business has increased by 100% month on month and I have just launched a service were I go to ladies houses and do fittings.
“There are so many plus size women and scared to go out because of bullying and teasing and for them to finally get a bra that fits and contains their breasts and gives them form and comfort is life changing.”
Body confidence is key to Nicole, so none of her promotional images are air brushed.
She also uses real women to advertise her lingerie, including plus size who is a size 20.
“When I started fashion design school people could not understand why a plus size girl would want to do a fashion course,” Rosie, who is 5ft 2in, said.
“I admit I am naturally fat – I eat normally and I understand the plus and negative side of obesity.
“I am used to stares and comments and so when Nicole asked me to model her bra and knickers I was ‘absolutely I am there for you’.
I knew there was a business in big breasts.
Nicole Kanjere, Mymilla
“Like Nicole I have always had problems buying nice bra and knickers. I am short and not your typical model but I felt showing other women my plus size body would inspire them to try a sexy bra ad knicker set and prove that real women deserve nice lingerie no matter what size.
“If by showing off my body I can help one woman finally get a bra that fits I will have done my job.”
, 29, also models for Nicole. The blogger is a size 18 and came second in Miss Curvaceous 2015 and is only too happy to “strip down to her bra and knickers” if it inspires someone else to be happy with their body.
Nicole’s next stop is sourcing baby doll lingerie and suspenders for plus-size women, and she’d like to design her own line in the future.
Keep abreast of the facts
According to The Great British Bra Survey, women born in January, February and March have bigger breasts - an average of an E cup - than women born at any
other time of the year.
Those born in April drop down to a B whereas women with June, July and November birthdays have a D - DD cup.
All other months fill a modest C cup.
British women have the biggest boobs around - even larger than America - and those in the North East boast the largest assets.
Geordie women tend to wear a B cup, while those from Wales and the Midlands are on average a C cup.