DAY IN THE LIFE: Big bust? No problem
Wanjiru Njoroge 26, is co-founder Double Dee’s Kenya, a store manufacturing and retailing lingerie for women with big busts. She is also the co-founder of Ajab Pictures, a production company. PHOTO| MARTIN MUKANGU
What you need to know:
- Shopping for underwear doesn’t have to be a treacherous, shameful experience.
- Initially, we struggled to convince women to pay a little more than average for the bras.
- Now, what we struggle with is the fact that most women want to be smaller than they really are.
“It was hearing the words the words’ ‘Sorry madam, hatuna size yako (we don’t have your size),” over and over from lingerie shop attendants that got my three partners and I thinking about creating underwear for big-bust women. The market had forgotten us and the second hand bras available are not designed for the African woman’s body.
“It has been a year since Double Dee’s opened its doors. We manufacture and retail underwear and lingerie for busty women all the way from cup size D to K. Now, most of my days revolve around how I can get yet another women to feel good about herself. My days begin at 5am when I get up for meditation, after which I have my morning run. I am living with a mental illness, so this is an integral part of my day as it supplements my peace of mind.
“No day is the same as the last for me. Some days, I work as production manager at Ajab Pictures that I founded with two gentlemen. These days are spent on set behind recording equipment. The team will either be shooting a documentary, an advertisement or a corporate video.
“I am the creative director at the lingerie store. I am in charge of the image that we present to the world. If I am not at the store, you will find me organising photo shoots or sourcing models. I am very particular about who I cast for the shoots. I want the client to see exactly how the item of clothing will look on them.
“I remembered how uncertain I was when the shop opened. We didn’t know what to expect. Now, it’s clear that busty women agree with us that no woman should have to wear second hand underwear.
SHAMEFUL EXPERIENCE
Shopping for underwear doesn’t have to be a treacherous, shameful experience.
“Initially, we struggled to convince women to pay a little more than average for the bras. Now, what we struggle with is the fact that most women want to be smaller than they really are. So they end up wearing smaller bras. I try to get my clients to see that there is nothing shameful about having a full bosom. We organise bra clinics every so often to pass on this message. The bigger dream is to have everything in the shop designed, manufactured and sold by Kenyans.
“Every so often, a gentleman will walk into the store with his woman. It is the men who always ask the most interesting questions. Sometimes, you will notice the awkwardness so we try to get them to feel comfortable while their women shop.
“When I am not working, you can find me at live music performances, at the theatre or an art exhibition. These places feed my spirit and my creativity.”
