This Friday Underlines chats with Rosie Musgrave, Founder & Director of Beautifully Buxom, who created her brand and website from passion and frustration. The brand is entirely designed and manufactured in the UK: a brand committed to design, and deliver timeless, non season specific, quality garments to last. Proof that dreams can come true!
Your previous life?
I guess that part of my background may come as a surprise, I have been asked this many times, but after leaving school I completed a vehicle mechanics course at college! Although I still have a passion for cars, I then moved into retail, then started working from home, selling all sorts of pre loved items and customising clothing and shoes, then on to work for a party plan company where I sold lingerie, and my love for it grew as did my frustration of lack of fuller bust garments available.
How did the brand start and when did you start working on it?
I made the decision to register my brand name back in 2016, due to my collection of chronic health conditions and a global pandemic, subsequent delays in finding my ‘Dream team’ and development, I didn’t launch until last year.
Where do you look for design inspiration?
I find inspiration in women, myself included, their curves, the inevitable struggle of finding garments to fit and support a fuller bust.
I love vintage fashion and timeless designs. I also have a knack for noticing flaws within other brands’ designs, and work on these aspects to create garments which fit and support fuller busts.
From the Charley loungewear collection
What is different about designing your products?
I created my own unique multi-sizing structure, based on real women and not outdated ‘industry’ sizes & gradings. I have achieved this by the design of the garments, fit testing on over 100 women, the fabrics and components used and custom made extended hook and eye fastenings and supportive underbands, which all create garments that can accommodate fluctuating weight.
This is fantastic for sustainable manufacturing as BB sizes include 108 bra sizes in our 15 multi-sizes, also for the wearer if their weight/bust changes, they can continue to wear the same piece rather than buying again.
How did you go about producing samples and production?
I spent time travelling to various meetings all around the country to meet with people in the lingerie design and production sector, I eventually found some fabulous women who work for me on a self employed basis. Many of these skilled women were previously working for well known brands, and had been made redundant from their jobs when manufacturers chose to move overseas for cheaper labour.
It was essential that I met them in person, was confident in their abilities and got on with them on a personal level. After a long time finding my ‘Dream Team’ we began work on the designs, development and sampling.
From the Darcie nightwear collection
What are the highlights of your collection?
The highlights of my collection are the fit and support of all the garments given while being comfy and luxurious. Most importantly how they make the wearers feel.
What do you read and whom do you follow in social media to keep ahead of trends?
I follow many ‘curve’ models and fuller bust bloggers, but my designs are not trend or season led, I am passionate about designing and delivering beautiful, quality garments to last, that will look and feel fabulous today and in years to come.
A Typical Week…in your life
I currently work by myself in my own office overlooking a historic market town. I try to take care of all aspects of the business, enjoying walks with my German shepherd in the Norfolk Countryside. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family as much as possible.
Your proudest moment to date?
My proudest moment to date must be the photoshoot for my website, taking a moment and looking around, realising I had made my dream come true. From coming up with an idea so many years ago through to seeing my gorgeous models in the garments that I have designed, looking and feeling amazing, also the feedback from happy customers is sure to put a smile on my face and know that I am helping one lady at a time feel fabulous.
From the Scarlett sensual collection
Your next big challenge?
To increase the brand awareness for Beautifully Buxom, so many ladies suffer from discomfort daily, wearing the wrong sizes or being unaware of correct fits and how important it is for women to wear the correct sizes. Education around these issues will ultimately increase the awareness in just how special Beautifully Buxom truly is.
Your worst move so far?
I don’t believe there are ‘bad moves’ in business, I believe this long, slow and sometimes difficult process of starting a brand on my own, from scratch, has enabled me to learn, adapt and overcome everything that has been thrown my way and makes me determined to succeed.
What do you ultimately hope to achieve?
I aim to achieve for my brand to be a ‘go-to’ trusted brand for fuller busts, making women feel Beautifully Buxom. As well being a trusted brand who is well known for their knowledge in fitting beautiful lingerie to buxom women.
What about time out?
I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, and enjoying our wonderful county of Norfolk, walking the dog and attending classic car shows.
I’m working on trying to take time to relax and enjoy getting hooked on a good drama series with a cup of tea and a takeaway!
