The diary of a trained corsetiere

It’s hard to keep up with Christine Vendt while interviewing her – minute by minute, customers step into the store, many of whom she has known for years. ‘We have parents coming in who say “I remember you fitted me for my first bra.” Now it’s their daughter that I’m fitting.’

With thirty five years’ experience in the industry, Christine has well and truly perfected the art of the fitting. ‘Bras are not a luxury but a necessity. We need to wear them, so it makes sense that we should aspire to look great in them and feel comfortable wearing them.’

‘A bra fitting can change a woman’s life,’ says Christine. For some women, never having had a bra fitted can be a source of pain and discomfort that follows them through life. Fuller breasted women in particular are people who Christine has been able to help. ‘Some women are so self-conscious about their appearance that they consider breast reduction surgery,’ she says. The first step in such a situation is to consider a proper bra-fitting. ‘The experience (of wearing a bra) shouldn’t be traumatic and awful. We will make them look smaller in their clothes.’

Over the years, the referrals have flown in, from as far afield as Wellington and Auckland. Christine loves to apply her knowledge and experience to challenging fittings, and Undercover Secrets Lingerie has made a name for itself in mastectomy fittings. Christine even helps with organising funding from Government departments. ‘It’s a side of the business I really enjoy.’

Christine has recently introduced a swimwear line called Miraclesuit, which is perfect timing, with summer just around the corner. ‘They say on the label, “Look ten pounds lighter in ten seconds”,’ says Christine. It may sound like a stretch, but Christine assures me the swimwear holds everything in place, and is ideally suited to any woman from size 10 to 22. The Miraclesuit has helped women to overcome their selfconsciousness when stepping into the water; a recent customer purchased the Miraclesuit swimming wear after having avoided the water for the past 40 years.

Now, with thirty five years on the clock, Christine is looking forward to selling the business, and possibly arranging some ‘me’ time. ‘I would hate to close the doors,’ says Christine, ‘the community needs for (Undercover Secrets Lingerie) to stay.’ The buyer will receive personalised training, and Christine will stay on to ensure that everything runs smoothly after the sale. ‘It’s been an amazing career,’ says Christine. ‘I wouldn’t have done it for thirty five years if it hadn’t been amazing.’

To organise a bra fitting, head on down to 20 Seaview Road Paraparaumu Beach, or call Christine on 04 297 2988.