“I fit bras for all women through every stage of life,” says Philippa Mitchell, owner of The Fitting Studio. “I service regional women with AA to K bra cups in sizes 8 to 28 – offering a beautiful range of quality garments, and back this up with exceptional customer service.”
With such a large range on offer, Philippa can do a teen’s first service with beautiful little bras, maternity bras up to K cup size, and mastectomy bras and breast prostheses for ladies who have had mastectomies or lumpectomies.
According to Philippa, 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. “This impacts on posture, breathing, the health of your breast tissue, and self-confidence,” she said. “So, I feel like I am changing the world one woman at a time and that’s because just about every woman who I put a bra on says, ‘Ooh, that feels so nice, that’s amazing!’.”
The Fitting Studio’s aim is for women to leave comfortable and well supported through education and a good fit. “A bra that is too tight will only damage breast tissue – which increasing becomes fat as we age and is not repaired if it gets damaged. So, if someone’s wearing the wrong sports bra and they are horse-riding, they’ll develop sagging breasts that will never go back,” she said. “Even a bra with a thin, tight band under the arm can impede lymph node function there.”
Philippa’s studio has been based in Orange for six years – doubling as a bra donation drop-off point for Support The Girls – and often sets up at local markets. Since 2020 she’s also worked in conjunction with the McGrath Foundation’s Breast Care nurses in Orange and Parkes, and annually donates 10% of the profits from all October sales.
Philippa and her fitting-caravan, Beryl, do several road-trips a year to meet the growing demand for her outreach services as far as Tooraweenah, Guyra, Coonabarabran, Nyngan and agricultural expos. Hosting shop(s) in each town help promote the sessions and take bookings for up to 50 women per visit, leaving clients confident of having a fitting when she’s there.
All bra fittings are by appointment so safety and privacy are guaranteed. This aspect is crucial for ladies who have had surgery and lost some confidence in the way they are feeling, or who have had treatment and are not well. Women needing wheelchair-mobility are also welcome and enjoy the outing, however Philippa goes to them when needed, too.
“Bookings mean I can give people my full attention,” Philippa said. “Unlike a shop where you can try on a bra and think a 14D will always fit you when you might actually be a DD in a sports bra or the T-shirt bra. I know how the bra should fit so I measure them, they try bras on and I talk to them and assess their needs based on their age, body-shape and lifestyle so I can recommend the best bra for them from understanding their size and personality.”
Her online shop stocks garments for women who have had surgery, are undergoing treatment or have rotator cuff issues such as front fastening bras, shoulder fastening T-shirts (so health care professionals can access wounds and dressings), briefs, swimwear, camisoles, and Cancer Council SPF 50+ sunhats and head-wear.
Women wishing to re-order any purchases, try them in different colours or seeking recommendations simply need to message her studio. “The value to me is the service to the community,” Philippa said. “I see how a well-fitting bra enhances people’s lives and I enjoy making the connections through my skill and service.”
The feedback Philippa hears makes her proud. “It tells me that what I am doing is worthwhile. I am living my life with purpose and I know I am leaving a legacy through helping people experiencing trauma who understand the value of what I’m doing.”
The Fitting Studio is a proud sponsor of the CWM 2023 Outreach Program of the Year award.
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P.S. Watch for Philippa’s monthly posts online reminding ladies to check their breasts for lumps (in between their regular two-yearly mammograms)
P.P.S. Philippa welcomes invitations to speak to service groups like Probus, Inner Wheel and CWA. Ladies receive bra care tips and a free shower swing-card reminding them to examine themselves properly for lumps or abnormalities with tips on how to do it well, courtesy of Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation.
