The history of Bravissimo centres on a company which set out to provide quality and well-designed lingerie and swimwear for the fuller figure. Offering full ranges in the D to K cup range, Bravissimo set out to celebrate the curves and features of the larger woman.

It was set-up by Sarah Tremellen in 1995 when she got frustrated trying to find attractive bras for her own size. She was so frustrated with her inability to buy herself pretty lingerie and underwear (all she was offered were dull designs, almost matronly in appearance), that she started the business as a mail-order company from her own front room. Sarah believes in the basic principle that the fuller figured woman must be able to think of the design and appearance of her lingerie first; rather than just consider the question can I get this in my size.

And from such small beginnings, over half a million people have dealt with Bravissimo. This has helped turn the business around from a small business, into a multi-million pound company which has won plaudits and awards from many sectors. It now distributes its range through its own website and over 20 high street stores.

Amongst the awards the company has won include the Best Lingerie Retailer Award for many years and for its founder, Sarah Tremellen, Cosmopolitan’s Woman Achiever award and Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Much of Bravissimo’s success has been based on finding a winning formula and translated that ethos to customers via direct marketing. The customer database grew rapidly from 80 names to over 500,000.

And Bravissimo is on a mission to change bra wearing habits and understand the motivation of their customers. The Company state that over 80% of women wear an ill-fitting bra, but this even happens when there is plenty of choice, so a degree of education is needed.

Bravissimo almost admits that the market has changed since 1995, with more companies now offering bigger sizes for the larger figured women. But another key factor is that now manufacturers work closely with Bravissimo in order to get their bra ranges right for the market.

The history of Bravissimo is of a company which takes not only its customer very seriously, but also its own image and development.

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