Indie Lingerie Boutique Spotlight: Jenette Bras on Melrose
Last night I had the privilege of doing a trunk show (with Dark Garden) over at Jenette Bras on Melrose Ave., and I have to say I was instantly enamored of the boutique. Jenette is a full bust specialty shop, carrying an impressive array of supportive frillies in cups D-K, and bands 30-44.
Now, to be honest, I am not Jenette's target demographic --- there were probably only a couple of European 30D bras that would've fit my American 30C bust. But after spending the evening there, I certainly wished I were!
The design of the space is super cute, chic, and inviting. The layout is inspired by the antique corset factory look, and you know I love that! There's a spacious front room with some merchandising displays and a rack of non-bra negligee (teddies and the like), as well as the register. Then you step back into the fitting room, which has three very spacious stalls and more bra stock displayed. The very back room holds their tidily organized backstock; an impressive array.
Stylewise, I saw a lot of beautiful things, from familiar and respected brands, such as Simone Perele and Marlies Dekkers. "I only buy the bright and pretty colors," Jenette said. "If they want a beige bra, they can shop somewhere else."
At the trunk show, I met several of Jenette's clients, and I was impressed by --- well, their assets, of course, but also their loyalty to Jenette Bras. "All of my bras come from here, except for the three I bought in Jerusalem before I knew about Jenette," said one client. Jenette keeps handwritten client records of each woman's baseline size and purchase history, as well as notes about bras they liked but didn't pick up that day. I love that kind of customer service. Some clients have five sheets of records stapled together because they're such regular shoppers with Jenette.
The shop staff were all extremely friendly, and they picked up on corset fitting very quickly, which demonstrated to me that their eye for fit is very keen. Dressing rooms all state an "as long as it takes" fitting policy, suggesting that you stand, sit, or do jumping jacks --- whatever it takes! --- to make sure the fit of a bra is working for you. Jenette (who, incidentally, was absolutely lovely) told me that each time a new style comes in, she and the shop girls all try it on so they can see how it fits compared to other styles from that brand and other brands in the same size.
All in all, I was really impressed by the space and attitude. Everything was done in a very thoughtful way, down to the retro-style illustrations on their branded pamphlets, and the team at Jenette's was lovely to work with.
Jenette Bras also has a new location in Pasadena, and you may recognize their name from their guest post, "What Should Busty Ladies Look for in a Bra?"